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 no discussion of 1990s-era Black movies without films written by Barry Michael Cooper,

Barry Michael Cooper, a writer and producer known for 'New Jack City,' 'Sugar Hill' and 'Above the Rim,' dies at age 66. 'Will never be another,' his son says.

The Village Voice obituary of writer Barry Michael Cooper, dead at age 66, notes the powerful stories he wrote for the paper in the 1980s.

He invented the term 'New Jack Swing' and wrote the scripts for 'New Jack City', 'Above the Rim', and 'Sugar Hill'.

Barry Michael Cooper, the screenwriter behind "New Jack City" and pioneering investigative journalist, died Tuesday in Baltimore at age 66.

Barry Michael Cooper revealed the surprising story behind Pookie's casting in New Jack City – a tale of brilliant auditions, unexpected tragedy, and cinematic redemption.

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

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, a writer and producer known for his work on 'New Jack City' and 'Sugar Hill,' has died. He was 66.

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.

Barry Michael Cooper, the screenwriter behind the influential “Harlem Trilogy” of films New Jack City, Sugar Hill and Above the Rim and the man who coined the term New Jack Swing, has died. He was 66.