After chronicling the crack boom of the 1980s as an investigative reporter, he had a high-profile but brief second career in Hollywood.

The Harlem journalist who coined the phrase “New Jack Swing” while writing a profile passed away in Maryland. There is

Barry Michael Cooper, the writer and producer behind the classics New Jack City, Sugar Hill, and Above the Rim has died at age 66.

Barry Michael Cooper, best known for his work on the 1990s movie New Jack City, has died, per TMZ. He was 66. According to TMZ, the Maryland Chief Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the famed writer and producer died on Tuesday (January 21).

Barry Michael Cooper, a screenwriter who penned screenplays for New Jack City and other notable Black films, has died.

Barry Michael Cooper, the acclaimed screenwriter best known for his “Harlem trilogy” consisting of the films “New Jack City” (1991), “Sugar Hill” and “Above the Rim” (both 1994), died Wednesday of undisclosed causes. He was 66.