Three 6 Mafia Rapper Koopsta Knicca Dies at 40 After Stroke

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Three 6 Mafia rapper Robert "Koopsta Knicca" Phillips has died at age 40, his friend and collaborator, DJ Paul, confirmed to ET.

"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," said Paul in a statement to ET. "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."

Paul also revealed that Phillips had planned upcoming concert dates, as well as a move to Las Vegas, Nevada.

"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," said Paul. "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!!!!"

On Friday morning, Paul wrote on Instagram, "Dr. Confirmed With Me That @koopstaknicca36 Passed This Morning at 12:55am. You Will Be Missed My Brother!!! ?? Love U Koop!!! #ripkoopstaknicca."

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A GoFundMe page was set up on Wednesday for the rapper, claiming that he had suffered an aneurysm in Memphis, Tennessee.

Others have reached out with love following Phillips' death, including former Three 6 Mafia member Gangsta Boo, who tweeted, "Rest well Koopsta... it was one helluva journey."

Phillips was one of the founding members of Three 6 Mafia, and was featured on their platinum selling album, When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1. In 2000, Phillips had to leave the group due to incarceration, however, he and other original members reunited in 2013 under the name, Da Mafia 6ix.