Coolio Cause of Death Revealed As Accidental Fentanyl Overdose

A Los Angeles County coroner's office revealed this week that late rapper Coolio died from an accidental fentanyl overdose.

Coolio’s cause of death has officially been confirmed. On Thursday (April 6), TMZ – who also broke the news of Coolio’s passing – revealed that a Los Angeles coroner's office discovered that the 59-year-old died from a fentanyl overdose. The Grammy-winner also had traces of heroin and methamphetamines in his system, according to his manager and family spokesperson Jarel Posey.

Posey also shared that Coolio’s history of cigarette use and asthma contributed to his death and body’s inability to fight back. Despite the news, Posey added that the rapper’s children, Brandi, Jackie, Melan, Christopher, Artis III, Darius and Artisha, remember their father as a great artist and person.

On September 28, 2022, Coolio, legal name Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was found deceased at a friend’s home in Los Angeles.

“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,” Posey told NBC News at the time.

Many of Ivey’s peers in music and acting posted dedications to the Compton native, including Kenan Thompson. Thompson and longtime friend Kel Mitchell were co-stars of hit ‘90s Nickelodeon series Kenan & Kel, which Ivey composed the theme song for. Other songs that Ivey was best known for were “Fantastic Voyage,” “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” and “C U When U Get There.”

His 1995 hit “Gangsta’s Paradise” would see global success, even earning a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. The song was featured on the Dangerous Minds soundtrack, its accompanying film starring Michelle Pfeiffer. “I remember him being nothing but gracious,” Pfeiffer posted on social media about Ivy. “30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song.”