Coolio Has Died, Aged 59

‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio has died, aged 59. The musician – real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr. – passed away in Los Angeles on Wednesday, 28th September, with his death confirmed to TMZ and Rolling Stone by his manager, Jarez Posey.

An official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. TMZ is reporting that Posey told the publication that, after being found laying on the floor at a friend’s house, EMTs were called, pronouncing the rapper dead from a suspected cardiac arrest.

Coolio – ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’

Coolio was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania in 1963 and later moved to Compton, California, where he began a music career in the 1980s, releasing debut single ‘Whatcha Gonna Do?’ in 1987. In 1991, he joined Los Angeles hip hop group WC and the Maad Circle, contributing to debut album Ain’t a Damn Thang Changed.

Coolio signed to Tommy Boy Records in 1994 and released debut solo album, It Takes a Thief, in July of that year. Lead single ‘Fantastic Voyage’ became a hit, with songs like ‘County Line’ and ‘I Remember’ also enjoying minor success. The rapper’s big break, however, came the following year, when he released ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’, featuring R&B singer L.V., for the Michelle Pfeiffer film Dangerous Minds.

The single would appear on Coolio’s second album (also called Gangsta’s Paradise) and went on to become one of the most successful rap songs ever. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and reached number one in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and more. Coolio went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1996 ceremony.

Since news of his passing emerged, the likes of Ice Cube, Questlove, Vince Staples, Denzel Curry and Juicy J have honoured the rapper.

Further Reading

Coolio On ’90s Nostalgia, Publicity Stunts & Why He’s “Pissed” At The Batman Franchise

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