Magoo, a hip hop artist who collaborated with Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and recorded as a duo with Timbaland, has died at the age of 50.
Magoo, a hip hop artist who collaborated with Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and recorded as a duo with Timbaland, has died at the age of 50. Magoo, who’s real name is Melvin Barcliff, befriended Timbaland in Norfolk, Virginia during their teenage years. Before gaining fame for his vocal style — which some compared to A Tribe Called Quest‘s Q-Tip — he would perform New Edition cover songs at local talent shows. Timbaland & Magoo officially teamed up in 1989 before serving a brief stint with the Surrounded By Idiots (SBI) collective — which also featured Pharrell Williams. Magoo is credited with introducing Timbaland (whose real name is Tim Mosley) to fellow Virginian Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott. All three artists became a part of Da Bassment Cru, which consisted of rappers, singers and musicians assembled by Jodeci member DeVante Swing.