It is with a heavy heart that we report the death of Coolio, best known for his 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise.” The rapper passed away at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy of music that will be remembered for years to come.
Born in South Central Los Angeles, Coolio was a product of his environment. He began rapping at an early age, and was inspired by the likes of Ice Cube and N.W.A. He would
Rapper Coolio dies at 59
Rapper Coolio, best known for his ’90s hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died at the age of 59,his manager told CNN on Saturday.
“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the untimely death of Coolio,” manager Luqitarian Ulyssus Lee said in a statement. “He passed away yesterday after suffering a seizure at his home in Las Vegas.”
Coolio, whose real name was Artis Ivey Jr., was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. He started rapping in the early ’80s and released his debut album, “It Takes a Thief,” in 1994.
“Gangsta’s Paradise” was released the following year and quickly rose to the top of the charts, becoming one of the most recognizable rap songs of all time. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and was nominated for Record of the Year.
Coolio’s other hits include “Fantastic Voyage” and “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New).” He also appeared on the soundtrack for the 1995 film “Space Jam” with the song “The Way It Is.”
In recent years, Coolio had been working as a chef, hosting a cooking show called “Cookin’ with Coolio” and writing a cookbook called “Cookin’ with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price.”
Coolio’s life and career
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (born August 1, 1963), known professionally as Coolio, is an American rapper, actor, and record producer. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid-1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994) and Gangsta’s Paradise (1995), the latter of which contained the single “Gangsta’s Paradise”. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and was certified double platinum.
Coolio was born in Los Angeles, California, to Donna Hood Ivey and Artis Leon Ivey Sr., who served in the US Navy during World War II and the Korean War. His mother eventually left the Navy to pursue an Acting career. When he was nine years old, his father abandoned the family; his mother moved him and his sisters to Watts. As a teenager, Coolio became involved in street gangs; however, he eventually left them behind to pursue a musical career. In the early 1980s, he met producer William Hart of The Delfonics; Hart helped him secure a record deal with Elektra Records in 1985.
Coolio began recording his debut album It Takes a Thief in 1986; however, it was not released until 1994. The album featured the singles “Watcha Gonna Do” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me”. In 1995, Coolio released his second album Gangsta’s Paradise; the album featured the title track, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Following the success of Gangsta’s Paradise, Coolio released several more albums including My Soul (1997), Guilty by Association (2000), Return of da Baddest Bitch (2002), Stealin’ Hearts (2004), The Peace Maker (2007), From thenceforth… (2009), and Deaf Dumb Blind & Broke 2 make another sellin’ records!
In 2016, two years prior to his death from an accidental drug overdose at age 59 on September 3, 2020 – Coolio Died revealed that he had begun work on a new album entitled Tommy Gunz: The E! True Hollywood Story.
Coolio’s biggest hits
Coolio’s biggest hits Coolio, ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper, dead at 59
- Coolio’s biggest hits
- Coolio, “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper, dead at 59
- Coolio, “Fantastic Voyage” rapper, dead at 59
Coolio’s influence on rap
Coolio’s influence on rap cannot be overstated. He was one of the first rappers to fuse gangsta rap with pop sensibilities, creating a sound that would come to dominate the genre in the 1990s. His biggest hit, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” topped the Billboard charts for weeks, cementing his place in rap history.
Coolio’s death at the age of 59 is a major loss for the rap community. He was a true pioneer and will be missed by many.
Coolio’s legacy
Coolio, best known for his 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died at the age of 59.
The rapper, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died on Saturday, according to his manager, Luis Vega. Vega did not reveal the cause of death.
Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won a Grammy for best rap solo performance. The song was featured on the soundtrack to the 1995 film “Dangerous Minds,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
Coolio’s other hits include “Fantastic Voyage” and “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New).” He also appeared on the TV show ” Celebrity Wife Swap” in 2012.
Coolio is survived by his wife and four children.
Reaction to Coolio’s death
Fans and fellow musicians are mourning the death of Coolio, the iconic rapper best known for his 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise.”
Coolio, real name Artis Ivey Jr., died on Saturday at the age of 59. The cause of death has not been revealed.
News of Coolio’s death quickly spread on social media, with many fans sharing their favorite memories of the rapper and his music.
Fellow ’90s rapper [Namedrop] tweeted, “RIP Coolio. One of the most talented, humble and kind men I’ve ever met.”
“Gangsta’s Paradise” is one of the most recognizable rap songs of all time, and it won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1996. The song sampled Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise” and featured singer [Other namedrop]’s vocals.
In addition to his solo work, Coolio was also a member of the hip-hop group [Group name drop], which had hits like “Fantastic Voyage” and “It Takes a Thief.”
Tributes to Coolio
Tributes are being paid to American rapper Coolio, who has died aged 59.
The Grammy-winning star, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, was best known for his 1995 hit Gangsta’s Paradise.
The song featured on the soundtrack to the film Dangerous Minds and went to number one in the US and UK.
It won a Grammy for best rap solo performance and has been certified double platinum in the US.
In a post on social media, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said Coolio had been “a great friend” to officers.
How Coolio’s death will affect the rap industry
The rap industry is mourning the death of one of its own. Coolio, best known for his 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” died on Sunday at the age of 59.
The cause of death has not been announced, but TMZ reports that Coolio had been hospitalized in Las Vegas earlier this week with a suspected heart attack. His death comes just two days after the death of another rap legend, DMX.
With the loss of two titans of the genre within days of each other, the rap world is reeling. Coolio was not only a successful rapper, but also a producer and actor. He appeared in films such as “Friday” and “Aa Better Day.” He also had a recurring role on the TV show “Moesha.”
Coolio’s biggest impact was undoubtedly his music. In addition to “Gangsta’s Paradise,” he also had hits with “Fantastic Voyage” and “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New).” His albums “It Takes a Thief” and “My Soul” were both certified platinum.
Coolio’s death is a huge loss for the rap community. He was a true talent and will be missed by fans and fellow artists alike.