“Gangstas Paradise” Coolio, a rapper, passes away at 59
According to his longtime manager Jarel Posey, the US rapper Coolio passed away at the age of 59.
The 90s rap phenomenon, best known for his 1995 single Gangsta’s Paradise, passed away in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, local time, while visiting a friend.
Rapper from It Takes a Thief was declared dead at the scene, according to Posey, also known as Jarez in the business. He may have experienced cardiac arrest, but the cause of his death has not yet been officially determined.
According to Jarez, his companion discovered Coolio unconscious on the restroom floor. According to reports, emergency services were contacted right away.
Rapper from It Takes a Thief was declared dead at the scene, according to Posey, also known as Jarez in the business. He may have experienced cardiac arrest, but the cause of his death has not yet been officially determined.
According to Jarez, his companion discovered Coolio unconscious on the restroom floor. According to reports, emergency services were contacted right away.
Coolio, real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr., became well-known in the 1980s hip hop culture, penning hits like Fantastic Voyage and It’s All the Way Live (Now) that reached the top of the charts. Additionally, the Grammy-winning artist worked with artists including WC and the Maad Circle, L.V., and 40 Thevz.
One of the all-time best-selling singles is Coolio’s critically acclaimed song Gangsta’s Paradise, which won him the Grammy in 1996. It was included in the Michelle Pfeiffer-starring film Dangerous Minds and sampled from Stevie Wonder’s Pastime Paradise. It reached the top of the charts in at least 19 different countries, including Australia, where it spent 13 weeks at the top.
The rapper is also notable for penning the Aw, Here It Goes! theme song for the 1996-launched Nickelodeon television programme Kenan & Kel.
Alongside Danish popstar M, the singer served as the event’s headlining act at Australia’s regional music festival Groovin’ the Moo in 2019. He gave a concert in Texas earlier this month, and four days before he passed away, he posted a video of the performance to Instagram.
He is survived by his six children and ex-wife, Josefa Salina, whom he married in 1996.
