Three 6 Mafia’s Koopsta Knicca Passes Away At 40 Years Old
Academy Award winning group Three 6 Mafia has lost another member. Koopsta Nicca (a/k/a Robert Phillips) has died. The Memphis, Tennessee native passed away this morning (October 9) from complications due to a stroke suffered earlier this month. Memphis newspaper The Commercial Appeal reports that the 40 year-old MC was at work with a new collaborative project with band-mate DJ Paul, who produced early Koopsta solo material. This is the second member of the group to pass in the last two years, following Lord Infamous’ 2013 passing. Rolling Stone, Spin, and other publications have confirmed the tragic news.
After founding the would-be platinum group Three 6 Mafia, Koop’ left in 1999. While he would not be present on work crossover releases like Choices: The Album or Most Known Unknown, in addition to the acclaimed group debut, Mystic Stylez, he worked extensively on gold-certified Chapter 2: World Domination, which released in November 1997 on Relativity Records, and garnered Three 6 their first Top 40 chart appearance.
In recent years, Koopsta joined DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo, and the late Infamous in a semi-reunion with the group. Juicy J, who remains signed to Sony/Columbia Records, abstained from joining the group now known as “Da Mafia 6ix.”
On his own, Koopsta Knicca enjoyed an extensive and independent solo career throughout the 2000s.
Ambrosia For Heads extends condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Koopsta Knicca and Three 6 Mafia.