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Rap Veteran Coolio Dead At 59
Coolio, known for his Grammy-winning hit "Gangsta's Paradise" died on Wednesday at 59-years-old, according to his longtime manager.
Grammy-winning rapper Coolio has reportedly died at 59-years-old, according to a new report from TMZ. On Wednesday (September 28), the rapper was found deceased when he reportedly visited a friend's house. Coolio, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., went to the bathroom and didn't return. After Ivey's friend repeatedly called for him, they entered the bathroom where the "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper was found lying on the floor.
Although officials have not confirmed Ivey's cause of death, it's suspected that he suffered from cardiac arrest.
"As far as what I know now is that he was at a friend’s house and was in his bathroom and had a heart attack," his manager Jarez Posey said per NBC News.
Born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, Ivey was raised in Compton, California where he attended Compton Community College and got his start in rap in the '80s. Ivey broke into the mainstream towards the '90s with his 1994 debut album It Takes A Thief on Tommy Boy Records, which boasted his first hit single "Fantastic Voyage." The album was certified platinum, followed by Ivey's 1995 sophomore album Gangsta's Paradise. The titular song was featured on the Dangerous Minds soundtrack and went on to win a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1996. Ivey released six more solo albums during his life, concluding with From the Bottom 2 the Top in 2009.
Along with a fruitful music career, Ivey was an accomplished actor, with roles in Batman & Robin, The Convent, Daredevil and guest appearances on The Parent 'Hood, Martin, The Nanny, Futurama and more. In 1996, Ivey contributed the theme song to Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan & Kel.
Read tributes to Coolio below.
\u201cThis is sad news. I witness first hand this man\u2019s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio\u201d— Ice Cube (@Ice Cube) 1664414602
\u201cthe way tv and hip-hop were so connected in the 90s is something i\u2019ll never forget. and it gave us one of the best songs in the kenan and kel theme by coolio. rest in peace.\u201d— nadirah (@nadirah) 1664412565
\u201cRest In Peace Coolio. His music brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. That man had huge huge hits. A fantastic voyage, indeed. \u270c\ud83c\udffb\u201d— Andrew Barber (@Andrew Barber) 1664412427
\u201cRIP Coolio \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\u201d— NUFF (@NUFF) 1664413096
\u201cCoolio was only 59. We hear so many stories about rappers dying before they\u2019re barely adults that for a second 59 almost seems like a pretty long life but it\u2019s so young.\u201d— GNCordova (@GNCordova) 1664414249
\u201cFirst CD I ever bought in my life and the most legendary Wing 10 Last Dab these eyes have ever seen RIP Coolio\u201d— Sean Evans (@Sean Evans) 1664412925
\u201cRIP Coolio\u201d— vince (@vince) 1664414435
\u201cCoolio is dead. I can't believe I wrote that. Only 59. If you're Gen X, you know and respect. Gangstas Paradise inshallah.\u201d— Wajahat Ali (@Wajahat Ali) 1664412725
\u201cShocked to hear that Coolio died! I just saw him perform on July 4 \u2013 I was in St. Louis & we stumbled into a concert near the Arch & got so excited when we realized that it was him. Such a blast, everyone was really into it, grooving along to Fantastic Voyage\u2026 \ud83d\udc94\u201d— Emily Nussbaum (@Emily Nussbaum) 1664415200
\u201cRemembering Coolio\u2019s Appearance in Gravity Falls\u2026 Rest in Power man\u2026\u201d— Chris DeRose #NewDeal4Animation (@Chris DeRose #NewDeal4Animation) 1664414151
\u201cCoolio has passed away at 59. Rest in Peace \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f\u201d— Hot Freestyle (@Hot Freestyle) 1664412225
