Grammy-winning Gangsta's Paradise rapper Coolio has died at the age of 59
The rapper's longtime manager, Jarel Posey, confirmed his death and said Coolio died around 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday afternoon, September 28th.
According to TMZ, Coolio, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was found dead at a friend's house.
Coolio's longtime manager, Jarez, said Coolio went to the bathroom at his friend's house, but when he didn't come out after a while, the friend kept calling him and eventually went in and found Coolio lying on the floor.
Law enforcement sources told the publication that paramedics were called to the Los Angeles home around 4 p.m. for a medical emergency, and when they got there, they pronounced Coolio dead.
Jarez also said paramedics suspect he went into cardiac arrest. An official cause of death was not determined.
"We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and customer Coolio, who passed away this afternoon. He touched the world with his talent and we will miss him dearly," Sheila Finegan, his manager at Trinity Artists International, told Variety. "Thank you to everyone around the world who has listened to his music and to everyone who has reached out about his death. Please have Coolio's loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
Coolio rose to prominence on the Los Angeles rap scene in the '90s and got his big break when he recorded the song "Gangsta's Paradise" for the 1995 film "Dangerous Minds" starring Michelle Pfeiffer. It quickly became one of the most popular rap songs of all time, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and ending 1995 as the #1 single of the year in the United States. In 1996, "Gangsta's Paradise" was nominated for Recording of the Year and Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards, with Coolio winning the latter.
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