The hip-hop world is mourning the tragic loss of Young Noble, a key member of Tupac Shakur’s legendary Outlawz crew, after his death by suicide earlier this month. Now, his former manager, Steve Lobel, is speaking out—remembering Noble as “the strong friend” and calling for urgent mental health reforms in the music industry.
“He Was Always There for Everyone”
Lobel, who has managed major acts like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Scott Storch, and Outlawz, opened up about the late rapper’s creative genius and his tendency to carry the emotional weight of those around him.
“Noble was that guy everyone leaned on,” Lobel told TMZ Hip Hop. “He was the strong friend, and sometimes those are the ones suffering the most in silence.”
The longtime manager shared an emotional eulogy on Instagram, accompanied by rare photos of Noble to honor his memory and draw attention to the family’s GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses.
A Tragic Pattern for the Outlawz
Young Noble’s death adds to the heartbreaking legacy of Outlawz, the group that once stood alongside Tupac Shakur during the height of his career.
Several of Noble’s bandmates—Yaki Kadafi, Hussein Fatal, Mussolini, and Big Syke—have also passed away over the years, leaving E.D.I. Mean as the last active member of the New Jersey-bred collective.
E.D.I. Mean, who celebrated his birthday just three days after Noble’s death, told TMZ:
“Noble was always there for me, even when he was hurting himself. This is a hard one.”
The Case for Better Mental Health Support
Lobel is using this tragedy as a rallying cry for systemic change in the music industry.
“Artists are constantly touring, facing insane pressure, and living unhealthy lifestyles to keep up. It’s time labels offer real mental health support—not just for executives, but for the artists making the music,” he said.
He’s advocating for record labels to extend comprehensive health insurance—including therapy and counseling—to all artists on their rosters.
Moving Forward
Lobel is currently overseeing the career of his new Cleveland-based artist, Holy, and says he’s determined to keep his artists on “a healthy track”—both physically and mentally.
As the hip-hop community reels from this loss, fans and friends are flooding social media with tributes to Young Noble, celebrating his loyalty, talent, and legacy as part of Tupac’s vision.
If You’re Struggling
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
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