The star tragically passed away at the age of fifty-nine years old.
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. was born in 1963.
And under his professional name, Coolio, became a celebrated rapper, record producer, and actor.
His biggest hit was the iconic ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’.
The song won a Grammy when it was released in 1995.
Coolio also had many other standout musical hits.
Including ‘Fantastic Voyage’ (1994), ‘1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)’ (1996), and ‘C U When U Get There’ (1997) — and even the Kenan and Kel theme tune!
Coolio was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Compton, LA.
And worked as a firefighter and security guard before his breakthrough onto the local rap scene.
His first single ‘Whatcha Gonna Do?’ was released in 1987.
Coolio then joined the rap collective WC and the Maad Circle.
His first album It Takes a Thief was released in 1994.
It was widely praised, particular for bringing lightheartedness and humor to the rap genre, which was typically more violent and gloomy at the time.
Coolio maintained this sense of humor throughout his life.
Since the mega-success of ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Coolio has released a further 6 studio albums, to varying levels of success.
He also made the transition to reality TV.
His first appearance was on German show The Comeback which was about recording artists looking to revamp their career.
He then appeared on UK Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, placing third place in the show’s final.
After this success, he came back for Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, but left the house due to fighting with the other housemates.
He has appeared in a whole host of classic reality TV.
Including Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, Wife Swap, and the UK game show Tipping Point: Lucky Stars.
Coolio also had cameo appearances in many TV shows…
Including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Gravity Falls, and The Nanny.
He also enjoyed work as a professional chef!
His web series Cooking with Coolio was a huge hit, and he released an accompanying cookbook.
Coolio married Josefa Salinas in 1996, and they divorced in 2000.
He has 6 children.
Coolio has been open about his struggles with asthma all of his life.
He was hospitalized as a child due to asthma complications, and his children suffer, too.
He has even been the spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
The rapper has also been a spokesperson for Environmental Justice and Climate Change.
Alongside adult entertainment actress Cherie DeVille, he ran for office in 2020.
But sadly (for some) their Democratic presidential run was unsuccessful.
On September 28 it was announced that Coolio had sadly died.
The news came as a shock to fans across the world.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that paramedics were called to a house in Los Angeles around 4 PM on Wednesday for a medical emergency…
Reportedly, police have opened a death investigation but there does not appear to be any signs of foul play. However, sources have said the coroner will make a final determination following an autopsy.
Sources told TMZ that no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene and an autopsy and toxicology test will be used to determine an official cause of death.
But what exactly happened?
Coolio visited a friend late Wednesday afternoon, and his longtime manager, Jarez, said Coolio went to the bathroom at his friend’s house, but when he didn’t come out after a while the friend kept calling for him…
Eventually, he went in and found Coolio lying on the floor. When the paramedics arrived they pronounced Coolio dead on the scene, although his friend told reporters he suspected he had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Rest in Peace, Coolio.