Coolio, Grammy-Winning Rapper of ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Dies at 59
Coolio dies at age 59
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Coolio, the Grammy-winning rapper, producer and actor best known for his 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died at the age of 59. Coolio had recently performed a live set a couple of weeks back at Chicago’s Riot Fest on September 18.
The rap artist’s long time manager Jarel Posey confirmed the news verifying that Coolio died around 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday afternoon. According to reports, Coolio was discovered at the home of a friend.
Coolio’s manager at Trinity Artists International, Sheila Finnegan shared in a touching statement:
“We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon. He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly. Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.“
Coolio’s path to stardom was first carved on the L.A. rap scene during the ’90s when he scored his breakout hit “Gangsta’s Paradise” for the 1995 film “Dangerous Minds,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The track rapidly ascended to the heights of becoming one of the most popular rap songs of all-time, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and ending 1995 as the #1 single of that year in the United States. In 1996, “Gangsta’s Paradise” was nominated for record of the year and best rap solo performance at the Grammy Awards, with Coolio winning the latter.
The song was quickly spoofed by “Weird Al” Yankovic, who satirized it as “Amish Paradise,” though Coolio was adamant that he did not offer Weird Al approval to do so. Nevertheless, Coolio later stated in interviews that the two reconciled and squashed any issue between the two.
Coolio was born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. on Aug. 1, 1963 in Pennsylvania and would later move to Compton, CA where he linked up with the hip-hop group WC and the Maad Circle in 1991. A few years later, in 1994, Coolio signed on with Tommy Boy Records and launched his debut album “It Takes a Thief” which featured the lead, smash single “Fantastic Voyage,” Bolstered by the success of the single, “It Takes a Thief” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.
After the success of “Gangsta’s Paradise” in the mid-’90s, Coolio continued to grow in fame and he recorded “Aw, Here It Goes!” for the opening sequence of Nickelodeon’s “Kenan & Kel,” which he also appeared in.
His third album project titled, “My Soul,” was released in 1997 and consisted of “C U When U Get There,” which struck No. 12 on the Signboard Hot 100. The album was certified gold, however, it didn’t have the same impact as his first two records, and that ultimately became a determining factor in it being his last record with Tommy Boy.
Coolio would go on to release five more studio albums: 2001’s “Coolio.com,” 2002’s “El Cool Magnifico,” 2006’s “The Return of the Gangsta,” 2008’s “Steal Hear” and 2009’s “From the Bottom 2 the Top.” As his Coolio’s music endeavors and mainstream success cooled off, he turned his attention to another entertainment medium which in flourished in equally….
He became a popular TV personality, placing 3rd on a German talent show about artists aiming to pick up in 2004 and appearing on “Celeb Big Brother” in 2009.
Food was likewise a huge love of Coolio’s. He released a cookbook, “Cookin’ With Coolio,” in 2009 and competed on the Food Network series “Rachael vs. Man: Star Cook-Off” in 2012, coming in 2nd place.
Also manifesting his artistry on the screen, Coolio was an accomplished actor as he appeared in dozens of movies and television shows throughout his illustrious career. Coolio’s long list of credits consist of the following TV and film endeavors:
- “Martin” (1995)
- “Unsafe Minds” television spinoff of the film (1996)
- “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1996)
- “Batman & Robin” (1997)
- “The Baby-sitter” (1998)
- “Tyrone” (1999)
- “Midnight Mass” (1999)
- “Charmed” (2002)
- “Star-ving” (2009)
- “Futurama” (2001, 2010)
- “Gravity Falls” (2012).
According to his IMDb page, Coolio had three movie projects in the works: Rob Margolies’ “Bobcat Moretti,” a beast movie called “It Desires Blood 2” and a television movie “Vegas High.”
Coolio is survived by six children.
Kevin James has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry in various facets. He has worked as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, on-air radio personality, background actor and film director. Kevin is a Member of the National Writer's Union.