Young Noble, a prominent member of Tupac Shakur’s legendary Outlawz collective, has died at age 46 in Atlanta, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Young Noble, born Rufus Lee Cooper III, was the last member personally recruited by Tupac in early 1996. He contributed to four tracks on Tupac’s posthumous 1996 album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, including the iconic “Hail Mary.” Over the years, Noble built a respected solo career with albums such as Noble Justice and Son of God, continuing to honor Tupac’s legacy while forging his own path in hip-hop.
In 2021, Noble survived a severe heart attack and publicly expressed gratitude for his recovery, describing it as a “second chance.” Friends and sources close to the rapper say he had recently been active and social, participating in activities like basketball, and showed no visible signs of distress prior to his death.
Following the tragic news, Noble’s manager, Steve Lobel, is calling on record labels to extend mental health coverage and health insurance to artists, not just executives. Speaking with TMZ, Lobel revealed he has long advocated for better support systems for artists, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health resources in the music industry.