AceShowbiz -

Koopsta Knicca whose real name is Robert Cooper Phillips passed away on early Friday morning, October 9. One of the original members of Memphis rap group, Three 6 Mafia, died at a Memphis hospital after suffering from a stroke earlier this week. He was 40.

"We gota pray harder for @koopstaknicca36 yall!!" bandmate DJ Paul previously wrote on Instagram. "He had an Aneurysm yesterday in its blood on his brain.Dr. said we need a miracle & i believe in those so lets get one for my brother yall!!!"

In the wake of Knicca's death, Paul released a statement to Commercial Appeal. "[He] went in peace ... 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," he said.

"Me and Koop had just started writing his new album Devil's Playground 2 ... but we didn't get a chance to record yet," Paul added. "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."