Coolio, real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr., has died aged 59, according to TMZ.
Reports from paramedics on the scene suggest he may have passed away from a cardiac arrest, but an official cause of death has not been determined. TMZ confirmed the news with Coolio’s longtime manager, who said Coolio was found on the floor at a friend’s house after going to the bathroom.
The Los Angeles rapper became world famous after his song Gangsta’s Paradise hit number 1 worldwide, sitting at the top of the charts in the US for three weeks back in 1995. It was famously featured in the hit Michelle Pfeiffer movie Dangerous Minds.
Gangsta’s Paradise would go onto become the biggest selling single of 1995. In the aftermath Coolio had a handful of major hits, including C U When U Get There in 1997 which became a top 10 hit in many countries around the world. Coolio was also a successful actor, starring in a number of movies and TV shows. More recently he appeared in reality shows such as Cookin’ With Coolio and Coolio’s Rules. He also provided one of the best theme songs of all time, for the hit show Kenan & Kel.
Tributes for the rapper are starting to pour in.
Shocked to hear that Coolio died! I just saw him perform on July 4 – I was in St. Louis & we stumbled into a concert near the Arch & got so excited when we realized that it was him. Such a blast, everyone was really into it, grooving along to Fantastic Voyage… 💔
— Emily Nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) September 29, 2022
I saw Coolio, live on stage at a game awards ceremony in Los Angeles, announce that HALF-LIFE was Game of the Year, and no-one can ever take that away from me. Remember that one @iocat?
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) September 29, 2022
