Rapper Coolio, known for Grammy-winning song ‘Gangsta’s Paradise,’ dead at 59

Author: Editors Desk Source: Los Angeles Times

September 28, 2022 at 22:21

Grammy-winning rapper Coolio was found dead Wednesday at age 59.(Rob Grabowski / Invision / Associated Press)

The rapper who achieved enormous success in the 90s was visiting a friend late Wednesday afternoon when he passed away.

Coolio, the Grammy-winning rapper best known for the 1995 single “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died, his longtime manager confirmed Wednesday to The Times. He was 59.

The musician was found unresponsive Wednesday afternoon on the bathroom floor at a friend’s house, manager Jarez Posey told TMZ, which first reported the news. No official cause of death has been determined, but cardiac arrest was suspected, Posey told the website.

Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was born on Aug. 1, 1963, in Monessen, Pa., but grew up in Compton.

He was best known for the 1995 song “Gangsta’s Paradise,” off the album of the same name. The song, featured in the movie “Dangerous Minds,” won the 1996 Grammy for best solo rap performance and was nominated for song of the year.