Rapper Koopsta Knicca, a member of Three 6 Mafia, has died, the group's publicist and a group member, DJ Paul, confirmed on Friday, Oct. 9, to local Memphis, Tenn., blog Commercial Appeal. He was 40.
According to the group's rep Dove Clark, Koopsta Knicca (real name Robert Phillips) passed away early Friday in a Memphis hospital after experiencing complications from a stroke that he suffered this past Sunday.
"DJ Paul" Beauregard, who told fans that Knicca was still fighting for his life as of Thursday night, spoke lovingly about the rapper in his statement on Friday.
"Everyone who knew Koop knew he was very funny and the coolest guy ever," he recalled of his old friend. "He will be missed. We made classics together that'll live on."
Koopsta Knicca was working with Paul on a follow-up to his solo album, Da Devil's Playground. “Me and Koop had just started writing his new album Devil's Playground 2," DJ Paul told The Commercial Appeal on Friday. "But we didn’t get a chance to record yet. We had concerts coming up starting next month too. He also just got a home in Vegas that he was moving to on Tuesday, but never got to even see it in person."
Koop is the second Three 6 Mafia member to pass away recently. In December 2013, "Lord Infamous" Ricky Dunigan died at age 40 from a heart attack.
Surviving members of the group along with Paul include Juicy J, Gangsta Boo, and Crunchy Black. The group, formed in 1991, is best known for its hits like "Stay Fly," "Sippin on Some Syrup," and "Hard Out Here for a Pimp."
