Tributes have been pouring in following the news of the death of US rapper Coolio at the age of 59.
He is best known for the iconic hit Gangsta’s Paradise, which was recorded in 1995.
His longtime manager Jarez Posey told US media the artist was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house in Los Angeles.
According to sources, paramedics believe he may have had a cardiac arrest, but the official cause of death is not known.
Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, won a Grammy for Gangsta’s Paradise, which was part of the soundtrack for the movie Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
The haunting track has just passed a billion streams on Spotify, according to his official website.
Meanwhile, law enforcement sources have told TMZ no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene of Coolio’s death.
An autopsy and toxicology test will be used to determine an official cause of death.
This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio https://t.co/vCeyn08Vsi
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 29, 2022
Rest in power my brother .@Coolio Love & Respect
— LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) September 29, 2022
Peaceful Journey Brother. #Coolio https://t.co/59sMVmQsU7
— Dr. Love (@questlove) September 29, 2022
i got to interview coolio one time and you bet i asked him if he was over his beef with weird al. pic.twitter.com/bVPZ15Qtpg
— Dan Ozzi (@danozzi) September 29, 2022
RIP Coolio pic.twitter.com/Z53f3n6HDU
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) September 29, 2022
With over 17 million records sold worldwide, Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist Coolio was an artist known around the world as a musical and cooking master of extraordinary reinvention.
Growing up during the time of tremendous change in Compton, Calif., Coolio fed on struggle and used it as a launching pad of continual reinvention that led to selling over 17 million records globally and a long list of concerts to adoring fans in Africa, Israel, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Brazil, Australia, Turkey, the United States and throughout Europe.
He gave back to the community by serving as the spokesman for the Asthma and Allergies Foundation.
Coolio initially took over the world rap scene through the “Gangsta’s Paradise” release, which won a Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Rap Performance, Solo.
“Gangsta’s Paradise” would also be featured on the “Dangerous Minds” soundtrack and movie. “Gangsta’s Paradise,” also featuring LV on vocals, was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Song of the Year and it sold over six million copies and was Billboard Magazine’s number one single in 1995.
The world recognition led to his music being featured Coolio for several major motion pictures including: Space Jam, Clueless, The Big Payback, Panther, New Jersey Drive, The Jerk Boys, Eddie, Half Baked and many more.
He also composed the theme song for the popular kids TV series KENAN on Nickelodeon.
