Famed rapper Koopsta Knicca, who was best known as a member of Memphis' rap group, Three 6 Mafia, has died. He was 40.
The rapper has suffered a massive stroke on Oct. 6, Tuesday, that left him unresponsive. He was taken off of life support on Oct. 8 after which he breathed his last on Oct. 9, Friday.
"He went in peace," said Knicca's fellow Three 6 member DJ Paul, who has released a statement detailing the circumstances of his death, The Boom Box reported.
Knicca, whose real name was Robert Cooper Phillips, founded the popular rap group, Three 6 Mafia, at the age of 16 with his high school mates. Together they released their first album "Mystic Stylez" in 1995. He was also the part of another splinter group Da Mafia 6ix with DJ Paul and Crunchy Black.
Knicca left the group later due to his frequent legal troubles, including charges of domestic violence, assault and aggravated burglary, Rolling Stone reported. He started his own solo career, releasing his most well-received work "Da Devil's Playground." At the time of his fatal stroke, he was working on a sequel to his hit 1994 album with DJ Paul.
DJ Paul also revealed that he, along with the late rapper, had several concerts lined up for next month. He said Knicca was also about to move into a new home, which he acquired in Las Vegas, "but never got to even see it in person."
Knicca is the second member of Three 6 Mafia rap group, after his former collaborator Ricky "Lord Infamous" Dunigan, to die prematurely within a couple of years.