Magoo is a Virginia rapper who’s best known as one half of the duo Timbaland & Magoo. The group’s platinum-selling 1997 debut album Welcome To Our World includes their biggest hit “Up Jumps Da Boogie,” which hit #4 on Billboard’s R&B chart and #13 on the Hot 100.
Born Melvin Barcliff on July 12, 1973, Magoo was raised in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, VA. His nickname was inspired by 1950s cartoon character Mr. Magoo. As a teenager, he was part of the group Surrounded By Idiots with Timbaland, Pharrell, and Larry Live.
Alongside Tim and Missy Elliott, Magoo joined Jodeci mastermind Devanté Swing’s Swing Mob (a.k.a. the Bassment Crew). Magoo appeared on the official remix to Jodeci’s 1994 single “What About Us,” and Devanté Swing’s 1995 solo single “Gin & Juice.” In 1996, Magoo appeared on Swing Mob singer Ginuwine’s song “G Thang.”
The critical acclaim Timbaland received for producing Aaliyah’s 1996 album opened the door for Timbaland & Magoo to sign with her label Blackground Records via an Atlantic Records distribution deal. The duo’s first single, “Up Jumps Da Boogie,” featured Missy and Aaliyah, and became a major hit when it was released in the summer of 1997.
Timbaland & Magoo’s first album Welcome To Our World was released three months after Missy Elliott’s Supa Dupa Fly—although the duo’s debut wasn’t the major success that Missy’s was, both albums went platinum and showcased Timbaland’s creativity. Magoo also appeared on Missy’s hit “Beep Me 911.”
Magoo recorded two more albums with Timbaland—2001’s Indecent Proposal and 2003’s Under Construction Part II. Both were star studded affairs that received moderate critical acclaim. Since then, he’s been largely absent from the music business, aside from the occasional collaboration with Timbaland. Magoo passed away from a myocardial infarction in 2023.
