Coolio, Grammy-Winning ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Rapper, Dies at 59

Coolio, Grammy-Winning ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Rapper, Dies at 59 Coolio, the Grammy-winning rapper, producer and actor best known for his 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died. He was 59.

The rapper’s longtime manager Jarel Posey confirmed the news to Variety, saying that Coolio died around 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday afternoon. According to TMZ, Coolio was found at a friend’s house.

“We are disheartened by the deficiency of our dear companion and client, Coolio, who spent away this evening. He contacted the world with the endowment of his ability and will be remembered fondly significantly,” Sheila Finegan, his director at Trinity Craftsmen Global, said in an explanation to Assortment. “Much thanks to you to everybody overall who has paid attention to his music and to each and every individual who has been connecting in regards to his passing. Kindly have Coolio’s friends and family in your viewpoints and petitions.”

Coolio rose to conspicuousness in the Los Angeles rap scene during the ’90s, scoring his huge break when he recorded the tune “Gangsta’s Heaven” for the 1995 film “Perilous Personalities,” featuring Michelle Pfeiffer. It immediately became one of the most well known rap tunes ever, besting the Bulletin Hot 100 for a very long time and finishing 1995 as the No. 1 single of that year in the US. In 1996, “Gangsta’s Heaven” was selected for record of the year and best rap solo execution at the Grammy Grants, with Coolio winning the last option.

The song was soon spoofed by “Weird Al” Yankovic, who satirized it as “Amish Paradise,” though Coolio was adamant that he did not give Weird Al permission to do so. However, Coolio later said in interviews that the two made amends.

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. on Aug. 1, 1963 in Pennsylvania, Coolio later moved to Compton, Calif. where he joined the hip-hop group WC and the Maad Circle in 1991. A few years later, in 1994, Coolio signed with Tommy Boy Records and released his debut album “It Takes a Thief.” Catapulted by its lead single “Fantastic Voyage,” “It Takes a Thief” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart and was certified platinum.

After the progress of “Gangsta’s Heaven” during the ’90s, Coolio kept on filling in acclaim and in the long run recorded “Aw, Here It Goes!” for the initial arrangement of Nickelodeon’s “Kenan and Kel,” which he additionally showed up in. His third collection, “My Spirit,” delivered in 1997 and contained “C U When U Arrive,” which hit No. 12 on the Board Hot 100. The collection was confirmed gold yet didn’t have similar impact as his initial two records, and hence turned into his last record with Tommy Kid.

Coolio would proceed to deliver five more studio collections: 2001’s “Coolio.com,” 2002’s “El Cool Magnifico,” 2006’s “The Arrival of the Gangsta,” 2008’s “Take Hear” and 2009’s “From the Last 2 the Top.” As his business outcome in music blurred, Coolio turned into a television character, putting third on a German ability show about craftsmen hoping to get back in the saddle in 2004 and showing up on “VIP Older sibling” in 2009. Food was likewise a major love of Coolio’s. He delivered a cookbook, “Cookin’ With Coolio,” in 2009 and contended on the Food Organization series “Rachael versus Fellow: Big name Cook-Off” in 2012, coming in runner up.

A talented actor as well, Coolio appeared in dozens of films and TV shows throughout his career. Starting with a guest spot as himself on “Martin” (1995), Coolio’s credits include the “Dangerous Minds” TV spinoff (1996), “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1996), “Batman & Robin” (1997), “The Nanny” (1998), “Tyrone” (1999), “Midnight Mass” (1999), “Charmed” (2002), “Star-ving” (2009), “Futurama” (2001, 2010) and “Gravity Falls” (2012).

As per his IMDb page, Coolio had three motion pictures underway: Ransack Margolies’ “Catamount Moretti,” a beast film called “It Need s Blood 2” and a television film “Vegas High.” Coolio likewise kept on performing, having as of late playeda set at Chicago’s Uproar Fest on Sept. 18.