Sad news in the American rap scene. The artist Coolio, who became famous all over the world thanks to his hit “Gangsta’s Paradise”, died in Los Angeles. He was only 59 years old. The news was shared by his manager Jarez Posey this Wednesday, September 28, 2022. For now, the causes of the artist’s death have not been released. But according to the American tabloid TMZ, the manager would have found Coolio unconscious in the bathroom of a friend.

 

Born on August 1, 1963 in Pennsylvania, Coolio – whose real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr – began in the musical world of US rap in the late 1980s. But it is in 1994, when he signed a contract with the label Tommy Boy Records, that his career really took off. His notoriety went far beyond the borders in 1995 when Coolio released what was to become a worldwide hit: “Gangsta’s Paradise”. Some of you may remember, but this song was on the soundtrack of the movie “Rebellious Minds”, starring Michelle Pfeiffer. A clip was even shot with the actress. 

The success of the song lies in the melody that repeats the chorus and music of the song “Pastime Paradise” by Stevie Wonder (1976). As proof of its success, Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” was the best-selling single of 1995. The song sold nearly 6 million copies worldwide! And the success was also professional, as the American rapper received a Grammy Award in 1996.

 

Throughout his career, Coolio has released no less than 8 albums, including the latest “From the Bottom 2 the Top”, released in 2009. The rapper has also been featured on the big and small screens. Some may have seen him in the famous series of the 1990s “A Nanny from Hell”, but also in “Sabrina, the Sorceress’ Apprentice” or in the film “Batman and Robin” (1997) by Joel Schumacher. Coolio played the role of Dr. Jonathan Crane.