Coolio obit

Coolio Dead: ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Rapper Dies At 59

The beloved rapper died unexpectedly while visiting a friend in Los Angeles, his partner confirmed on Sept. 28. Learn the full story here.

 

He was not on the list.

Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist Coolio, known for hits such as “Gangsta’s Paradise”, died at the age of 59, his longtime manager Jarez Posey confirmed to The New York Times on Sept 28. The rapper, whose full name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died while visiting a friend in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Coolio’s manager, Jarez, told the publication that Coolio had excused himself to go to the bathroom and when he didn’t return, his friend went to investigate. Coolio’s friend opened up the door and found the rapper lying on the floor.

Paramedics were called, but after 45 minutes of CPR, they pronounced Coolio dead at the scene around 5pm. An official cause of death has not been revealed, and an investigation into his death has begun. While no foul play is expected, the coroner will determine his official cause of death after an autopsy is done on his body, according to TMZ, who was first to report the news.

His label Casual issued a statement to HollywoodLife shortly after his death. “We are honored to be a part of Coolio’s musical family. Coolio is a legend who has inspired a generation of artists to unapologetically share their visions with the world,” said Jen Pearce at the label. “We are beyond grateful Coolio shared his talents with us, and at the same time, we are extremely saddened to be a bookend on his amazing musical journey,” she added.

From 1996 on, Coolio released albums independently, and provided the opening track "Aw, Here It Goes!" for the 1996 Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel. He created the web series Cookin' with Coolio and released a cookbook.

Teddi Gold, an artist who worked recently with Coolio, also issued a statement to HollywoodLife. “I have an immense amount of gratitude and love for Coolio,” they said. “His musicianship, big heart, sense of humor, and loyalty to his friends and family were the light he shared with the world. As somebody whose music I grew up listening to, the opportunity Coolio gave me to record and perform with him was a life changing experience I will carry with me forever. I send every ounce of love I have to his family and friends at this time.” Many other stars were quick to pay tribute as well.

Prior to his death, Coolio recorded new music and dialogue for an upcoming Futurama reboot, producer David X. Cohen confirmed to TMZ. The rapper was known to the original series, in which he appeared as Kwanzaabot.

Coolio was born in Pennsylvania but eventually moved to Compton, Los Angeles and had a rocky childhood. He became involved with the gang Baby Crips, per All Music, and while he was never initiated, he reportedly created a troublesome persona for himself. He was jailed at the age of 17 for larceny, but turned his life around when he got out and studied at Compton Community College, where he started taking interest in rap. He found his stage name by luck in his early  years of rapping when someone at a rap competition called him “Coolio Iglesias.”

Coolio’s career began to take off and he was even featured on KDAY Los Angeles, a rap-focused radio station. He released his first single, “Watcha Gonna Do”, during that time. Unfortunately, he fell into drug use and eventually went to rehab to get himself help. As he was recovering, he took up various jobs such as working security at Los Angeles International Airport.

Coolio made his way back into the music scene with his single, “You’re Gonna Miss Me” and although it didn’t do much, he began making connections in the rap world and signed with Tommy Boy. In 1994, Coolio released his debut album, It Takes a Thief, which included the single “Fantastic Voyage”. The song landed at the No. 3 spot on the pop charts and boosted his record sales.

His sophomore album, Gangsta’s Paradise, and the lead single of the same name cemented his space into rap stardom, with the latter becoming the most popular single of the year. It won a Grammy in 1996 for Best Solo Rap Performance and was nominated for Best Song of the Year. Furthermore, it was featured in the 1995 film Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer. Coolio has been producing hits ever since and has eight studio albums to his name.

More impressively, Coolio was a cooking fanatic and wrote the 2009 New York Times bestseller Cookin’ with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price. Coolio made it his brand to recreate old dishes in a cheaper and/or healthier way to show others they can be smart and swift in the kitchen regardless of where they come from. “People learn better when they’re entertained. Cooking isn’t just for the starched-stiff elite. Everyone should know how to cook something,” he said, per his website.

Coolio also had a successful acting run, appearing in shows such as Robbery Homicide Division, All That, and Malcolm & Eddie, and films such as Judgment Day, Leprechaun in the Hood, and Dracula 3000.

Coolio was not married at the time of his death, but he had two serious relationships during his life. The hip-hop star was married to to ex-wife Josefa Salinas between 1996 and 2000, and he welcomed four children with her. His three daughters, Artisha, Brandi, and Jackie, and son, Artis, starred with him in his 2008 reality show, Coolio’s Rules. Coolio has two other kids from other relationships, according to Page Six.

Coolio was also in a serious relationship with Mimi and they appeared on a 2013 episode of Celebrity Wife Swap. Although their situation appeared doomed, the pair defeated the odds and were together until at least Jan. 2022, when Coolio took to Instagram to call Mimi his “Wifey”.

Celebrities including Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Martin Lawrence, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kenan Thompson, LL Cool J, Melissa Joan Hart, MC Hammer, Bret Michaels, Denzel Curry, and LeBron James paid tribute to Coolio following his death.

Coolio was the running mate for pornographic actress Cherie DeVille's Democratic presidential run in 2020.

While at a friend's Los Angeles house on September 28, 2022, Coolio was discovered unresponsive on a bathroom floor. He was pronounced dead by first responders. He was 59 years old at the time of his death. Police have opened an investigation into his death, though foul play is not suspected, and Coolio's manager stated he appeared to have suffered a cardiac arrest.

In 2016, Coolio and members of his crew were arrested for having a loaded firearm inside of a bookbag at Los Angeles International Airport. The bag was flagged by the Transportation Security Administration as the group attempted to pass through a security checkpoint. One of his bodyguards claimed ownership of the bag, but witnesses stated that it belonged to Coolio himself. Coolio was sentenced to three years of probation and 45 days of community service.

In 2017, Coolio was denied entry into Singapore upon landing at Changi International Airport. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority declined to comment on the reason for the denial, citing reasons of confidentiality. Coolio had been traveling from Beijing to Singapore to perform at a Formula One concert event.

Actor (109 credits)

  Vegas High (TV Movie) (pre-production)

Uncle Ray

  It Wants Blood 2 (filming)

Don Luscious

  Bobcat Moretti (completed)

Coolio

 2019 Versatile Feat. Coolio: Escape Wagon (Music Video)

Coolio

 2017/IV Nina

Coolio

 2017 Teachers (TV Series)

Mr. Wence

- First Day Back (2017) ... Mr. Wence

 2015 Wade Martin Feat. Coolio: Make It Bump (Music Video)

Coolio

 2014 Black Jesus (TV Series)

Coolio

- Gangsta's Paradise (2014) ... Coolio

 2014 Coolio: Take It to the Hub (Music Video)

Coolio

 2012/I Inertia

Promotional Trailer

 2012 Two Hundred Thousand Dirty

Manny

 2012 Gravity Falls (TV Series)

Wax Coolio

- Headhunters (2012) ... Wax Coolio (voice)

 2010 Coolio vs Kylian Mash & Rico Bernasconi: Gangsta's Paradise 2K11 (Music Video)

Coolio

 2001-2010 Futurama (TV Series)

Kwanzaa-bot

- The Futurama Holiday Spectacular (2010) ... Kwanzaa-bot (voice)

- A Tale of Two Santas (2001) ... Kwanzaa-bot (voice)

 2009 Coolio Feat. Ennio Morricone: Change (Music Video)

Coolio

 2009 Coolio Feat. Goast & A.I.: From the Bottom 2 the Top (Music Video)

Coolio

 2009 Coolio Vs Beat Nouveau Feat. Storm Lee: Lady (Music Video)

Coolio

 2009 Star-ving (TV Series)

Coolio

- Getting Huge (2009) ... Coolio

- Starving... Literally (2009) ... Coolio (uncredited)

- The Scheize Flick (2009) ... Coolio

- Married with Children: The Movie (2009) ... Coolio

- Straight Outta Compton (2009) ... Coolio

 2009 The Lost Archives of Quincy Taylor (Short)

Archpimp Mac McFreddy

 2008 Coolio Feat. A.I.: Boyfriend (Music Video)

Coolio

 2008 Sides

The Star

 2008 Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves

Roger

 2007 Coolio & the Gang Bang (Video)

Coolio

 2007 Three Days to Vegas

The Flow

 2007 Futurama: Bender's Big Score (Video)

Kwanzabot (voice)

 2006 Coolio Feat. Gangsta Lu: Dip It (Music Video)

Coolio

 2006 Coolio Feat. Goast: Do It (Music Video)

Coolio

 2006 Coolio Feat. Snoop Dogg: Gangsta Walk (Music Video)

Coolio

 2006 Grad Night

Michael Adkins

 2006 Love Hollywood Style

Coolio

 2005 Coolio Feat. Krayzie Bone: I Don't Wanna Die (Music Video)

Coolio

 2005 XSS Feat. Coolio: Peepshow (Music Video)

Coolio

 2005 Joey (TV Series)

Coolio

- Joey and the Poker (2005) ... Coolio

 2005 Pterodactyl

Capt. Bergen

 2004 Gang Warz

Dunzio Day

 2004 Dracula 3000

187

 2004 A Wonderful Night in Split

Franky

 2003 Sex & the Studio 2 (Video)

 2003 Tapped Out

Cool

 2003 Exposed

Big Heat

 2003 Red Water (TV Movie)

Ice

 2003 Stealing Candy

Brad Vorman

 2003 Ravedactyl: Project Evolution (Short)

Maduzor

 2003 Make My Day (TV Series)

- Linda Narty (2003)

 2003 Daredevil

Dante Jackson (Director's Cut)

 2003 The Beat

Emcee

 2002 Coolio: Dexter (What's His Name?) (Music Video)

Coolio

 2002 Robbery Homicide Division (TV Series)

Greg / G-Down

- Alton Davis Redux (2002) ... Greg / G-Down

 2002 Holla (TV Series)

Guest

 2002/I Move (Short)

Arthur / Ernest / Dre

 2002 Storm Watch

Outlaw

 2002 Static Shock (TV Series)

Replikon / Marvin Roper

- Duped (2002) ... Replikon / Marvin Roper (voice)

 2002 Charmed (TV Series)

Lazarus Demon

- Marry-Go-Round (2002) ... Lazarus Demon

 2001 Coolio: Ghetto Square Dance (Music Video)

Coolio

 2001 Coolio Feat. Kenny Rogers: The Hustler (Music Video)

Coolio

 2001 Gangland

Officer Harris

 2001 Der Clown (TV Series)

Coolio

- Stirb langsam (2001) ... Coolio

 2001 Get Over It

Coolio

 2001 Perfume

T

 2000 Blondie Feat. Coolio & The Loud Allstars: No Exit (Music Video)

Coolio

 2000 Coolio: Yo Ho Ho (Music Video)

Coolio

 2000 Dope Case Pending (Video)

 2000 China Strike Force

Coolio

 2000 In Pursuit (Video)

Carl Wright

 2000 Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth (Video)

Principal (AFKAP)

 2000 Submerged

Jeff Cort

 2000 Arli$$ (TV Series)

Ernest

- It's Who You Know (2000) ... Ernest

 2000 Leprechaun 5: In the Hood (Video)

Cooli (uncredited)

 2000 18 Wheels of Justice (TV Series)

Cecil Loftus

- Two Eyes for an Eye (2000) ... Cecil Loftus

 2000 The Convent

Officer Starkey

 1999 Midnight Mass

Blue Lou

 1999 Tyrone

Tyrone / Jerome / Cherone

 1999 Malcolm & Eddie (TV Series)

Troy Jensen

- Daddio (1999) ... Troy Jensen

 1999 Early Edition (TV Series)

Julius 'C-Roc' Ruby

- Number One with a Bullet (1999) ... Julius 'C-Roc' Ruby

 1998 Chazz Feat. Coolio: Raise the Roof (Music Video)

Coolio

 1998 Judgment Day (Video)

Luther / 'Lucifer'

 1998 V.I.P. (TV Series)

Coolio

- Vallery of the Dolls (1998) ... Coolio

 1998 The Nanny (TV Series)

Coolio / Irwin

- Making Whoopi (1998) ... Coolio

- Homie-Work (1998) ... Irwin

 1997 Coolio: Ooh La La (Music Video)

Coolio

 1997 Coolio: The Winner (Music Video)

Coolio

 1997 Coolio Feat. 40 Thevz: C U When U Get There (Music Video)

Coolio

 1997 An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn

Dion Brothers

 1997 On the Line (TV Movie)

Lt. Gil Suggs

 1997 Hitz (TV Series)

Coolio

- Pilot (1997) ... Coolio

 1997 Batman & Robin

Banker

 1997 Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (TV Series)

Coolio

- Coolio Runnings (1997) ... Coolio (voice)

 1996 B Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J & Method Man: Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem) (Music Video)

Coolio

 1996 Ophélie Winter Feat. Coolio: Keep It on the Red Light (Music Video)

Coolio

 1996 Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV Series)

Coolio

- A Girl and Her Cat (1996) ... Coolio

 1996 Dear God

Gerard

 1996 Dangerous Minds (TV Series)

Sex educator

- Pilot (1996) ... Sex educator

 1996 Phat Beach

Coolio

 1996 Coolio: It's All the Way Live (Now) (Music Video)

Coolio

 1996 Space: Above and Beyond (TV Series)

The Bacchus Host

- R & R (1996) ... The Bacchus Host

 1996 Coolio: 1 2 3 4 (Sumpin' New) (Music Video short)

Coolio

 1995 2Pac: Temptations (Music Video)

Bellboy

 1995 Tavaris Feat. Coolio: Straight Butta (Music Video)

Coolio

 1995 All That (TV Series)

- Sinbad/Coolio (1995)

 1995 Coolio: Too Hot (Music Video)

Coolio

 1995 Coolio Feat. L.V.: Gangsta's Paradise (Music Video short)

Coolio

 1995 Various Artists: The Points (Music Video short)

Coolio

 1995 The Parent 'Hood (TV Series)

The Gangster

- Trust a Move (1995) ... The Gangster

 1995 Martin (TV Series)

Coolio

- All the Players Came (1995) ... Coolio

 1994 Coolio Feat. LeShaun: Mama I'm in Love Wit' a Gangsta (Music Video)

Coolio

 1994 Coolio Feat. J-Ro & Billy Boy: I Remember (Music Video)

Coolio

 1994 Coolio: Fantastic Voyage (Music Video)

Coolio

 1993 Coolio: County Line (Music Video)

Coolio

 1991 WC and the Maad Circle: Ain't A Damn Thang Changed (Music Video) (as WC and the Maad Circle)

 1991 WC and the Maad Circle: Dress Code (Music Video) (as WC and the Maad Circle)