Noble became close with 2Pac and was the final member of the Outlawz recruited by the legendary Death Row rapper. Born in California and raised in New Jersey, Young Noble formed bonds with fellow Outlawz members Yaki Khadafi and Hussein Fatal.

Young Noble, a member of Tupac Shakur ’s rap group the Outlawz, has died. He was 47. E.D.I. Mean, a fellow Outlawz member, confirmed his death on Instagram and said he reportedly died by suicide.

Young Noble, a member of the hip-hop group Outlawz and frequent Tupac Shakur collaborator, has died at the age of 47, PEOPLE can confirm. TMZ reported that the rapper, born Rufus Lee Cooper III, died by suicide in Atlanta on July 4.