Ginuwine Mourns The Passing Of Melvin ‘Magoo’ Barcliff

Ginuwine is mourning the passing of his Superfriend Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff.

Unconfirmed reports of Magoo’s passing began spreading like wildfire late Sunday (August 13) evening.

His cause of death is unknown.

Ginuwine took to social media to grieve and pay tribute to his friend. 

In his first post, the “Pony” singer wrote:

Times get rough but we keep on pushing just heard some news I hope it ain’t true …

I just want everyone to know that time is short love who you love and make sure they know it 🍷

After he seemingly confirmed the news of Magoo’s passing, Ginuwine wrote: 

I don’t even know how to say anything at this point, I have lost 3 friends now within a month to LIFE and it’s due date ….this dude always pushed me …

I will miss you Maganooo that’s what we called him ….. totally one of the best ever in my eyes always pressing forward I know we didn’t talk a lot but the love was and will be always there my brotha.

I will see you soon bro we all have our date and I’m expecting the bro hug when I get there 🍷

I’m truly efd up right now foreal life is crazy…

I hate going through this and losing people we love sometimes it makes you feel like you don’t wanna feel the pain so you wanna be gone also …pain hurts ..man oh man

blessings to the family all of my condolences 🙏🏽

See both posts below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MR. Superman.Elgin B Lumpkin (@ginuwine)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MR. Superman.Elgin B Lumpkin (@ginuwine)

Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff was a rapper hailing from Norfolk, Virginia.

He and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley met in high school and would later become the rap duo, Timbaland & Magoo.

Their first collaboration, “Up Jumps da Boogie,” was the first project released from the Superfriends, a collective of incredibly talented singers, songwriters, and producers including Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Tweet, Nicole Wray, and  Static Major of the group, Playa.

Magoo is trending as folks take to their Twitter timelines to pay their respects. 

See a few tweets below. 

Ay man. Magoo put “The Bird is the Word” into a rap song 😂 His run with Timbaland was memorable 🙌🏽 R.I.P. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/7lqEGuqDsJ

— ListenToLeon (@ListenToLeon) August 14, 2023

RIP Magoo, and still so damn young 🙏🏼🕊️💐

Was just recently talking to a homie about how dope it would be to see a ‘Tiny Desk’ with him, Missy, Timbaland, and Sebastian too. 😔

‘Up Jumps Da’ Boogie’ live (1997) pic.twitter.com/2nt1FUEU2q

— Evezzy-E (@EvezzyE) August 14, 2023

RIP to Magoo. 🤍

Many don’t know he gave Missy Elliott the name 'Misdemeanor.' Because “it’s a crime for one person to have that many talents” pic.twitter.com/uFysio5Xth

— Female Rap Room (@FemaleRapRoom) August 14, 2023

When I was kid watching the Basement Crew/Superfriends era-Timbaland, Magoo, Missy, Aaliyah, Genuwine, Playa, Nicole Wray was like a breathe of fresh air to the R&B Hip/Hop scene. Magoo was heavily slept on as a rapper. Very charismatic and creative 🙏🏾 to his fam & friends 💔 pic.twitter.com/DOAggUaIVP

— DRU (@RatedDru) August 14, 2023

RIP Magoo. An integral member of an all-time great crew. One of the first VA rappers to go platinum. Made a handful of classic songs & collaborated on albums that re-imagined the future of music. His verses remain committed to memory. The bird was, is, and always will be the word pic.twitter.com/qCw9XN2AJL

— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) August 14, 2023

#RiP Magoo 🕊️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/3g3KvfhnUE

— O.T.G (@365OTG) August 14, 2023

It is never a good day when a rapper passes away.
Although many were critical of his rhymes there is no doubt that he fit in perfectly with the sound that Beat Club created.
RIP Magoo pic.twitter.com/90TvwjA12Z

— I’m named after El Debarge (@hydrothemc) August 14, 2023

Rest In Peace to VA Hip-Hop Legend Magoo. I'm Devastated. I was just mentioning Him in an Interview. I'm in Shock, Bro. A Supafriends Crew Member. With Static and Aaliyah. I memorized damn near The whole "Welcome To Our World" album with his verses. Can't believe this. 😔🕊🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/CFJr4SlhfH

— KaizerOnTheBeat (@KaiOnTheBeat) August 14, 2023

https://twitter.com/msdarlin_/status/1690892226434396160

RIP Magoo

One of the most unique flows/voices in #HipHop. Underrated and underappreciated with all the disrespect as far as some uncultured swine putting him on "Worst Rapper" lists. Up Jumps Da Boogie is a classic#Magoo #Timbaland #Supafriends #Aaliyah #MissyElliott pic.twitter.com/WUkkgHqzFG

— P. Against The World🤘🏿🕊 (@chillin662) August 14, 2023

MaGoo is predeceased by Superfriends – Aaliyah (2001) and Static Major (2008).

Timbaland nor Missy have not publicly addressed the news of MaGoo’s passing and the rapper’s family has not released an official statement.

Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff was 50.

May he rest in peace.