Koopsta Knicca, a member of Three 6 Mafia and Da Mafia 6ix, passed away today (October 9) due to complications from a brain aneurysm he suffered Sunday (October 4).
The admin for his Twitter account tweeted out that he did pass away after conflicting reports regarding his death yesterday (October 8). HipHopDX also confirmed his passing with DJ Paul publicist Dove Clark.
DJ Paul issued a statement exclusively to HipHopDX reflecting on the passing of one of his best friends. The Three 6 Mafia founder says Koopsta Knicca, born Robert Cooper Phillips, suffered a stroke after taking a shower Sunday and that he passed away at 1:55 am EST today.
“My group member and brother for over 20 years, Robert ‘Koopsta Knicca’ Phillips passed away today at 12:55 am CST from a major stroke he had sunday after showering,” DJ Paul says in the statement. “He went in peace. Me and Koop had just started writing his new album Devil’s Playground 2, the second part to his famous solo album that I produced, 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. Everyone who knew Koop knew he was very funny and the coolest guy ever! He will be missed!!! We made classics together that’ll live on!!! Mafia 4 Life!!!!”
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On Tuesday (October 9), HipHopDX reported that Koopsta Knicca was hospitalized due to a brain aneurysm. At the time, Koop’s outlook didn’t look good, but members of Three 6 Mafia pleaded with fans to send their prayers in hope of him possibly pulling through. Numerous members and affiliates of Three 6 Mafia took to social media to relay their well wishes.
Koopsta Knicca is the second member of Three 6 Mafia to pass away within the last two years. Lord Infamous died in 2013 of a suspected heart attack. HipHopDX spoke with DJ Paul at the time of his death as he reflected on his career.
Koopsta Knicca was 40 years old. An original member of Triple 6 Mafia, Phillips released his debut project, Da Devil’s Playground, in 1994 prior to Three 6 Mafia’s debut LP, Mystic Stylez. During the last few years of his life, Koopsta Knicca was a member of Three 6 affiliate group Da Mafia 6ix. According to previous reports and DJ Paul’s statement above, Koop was working on Da Devil’s Playground 2.
View all relevant media to Koopsta Knicca’s passing below:
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HipHopDX sends our condolences to Koopsta Knicca’s family and friends.
