Louise Griffin
Iconic rapper Coolio has died aged 59, reports Metro.
The star – real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr and best known for his worldwide hit Gangsta’s Paradise – died on Wednesday afternoon, his manager told TMZ.
He told the outlet he visited a friend’s house and was found lying on the bathroom floor.
Emergency services were called, but Coolio was pronounced dead at the scene.
His cause of death has not been confirmed, but his manager told the publication that paramedics think he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.
Coolio’s manager at Trinity Artists International, Sheila Finegan told PA: ‘We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon.
‘He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly.
‘Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.’
Coolio’s career began in LA in the 1980s, as part of the group WC and the Maad Circle.
However, he would go down in music history with the release of Gangsta’s Paradise in 1995 for the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer movie Dangerous Minds.
It immediately shot to number one, staying there for three weeks.
Coolio also won a Grammy for best rap solo performance in 1996 and, according to his website, it just surpassed a billion views.
His following album, also titled Gangsta’s Paradise, sold more than two million copies globally.
After skyrocketing to fame in the 1990s, Coolio began to release music independently.
He went on to appear as a housemate in Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, alongside stars including Ulrika Jonsson, who won the series, and Terry Christian, who came second. Coolio was a finalist, coming third overall in the series.
The rapper returned for Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 but decided to leave after numerous confrontations with Nadia Almada and others in the house.
He worked right up until his death, and was in the midst of a tour with other 90s stars including Vanilla Ice, with the group performing in Texas just a few days ago.
The star was married once – to Josefa Salinas in 1996, however, the pair divorced in 2000.
The music industry is in mourning after the loss, with tributes pouring in.
Vanilla Ice tweeted: ‘I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.’
Snoop Dogg shared a snap of the two of them together, writing: ‘Gangstas paradise. R. I. P. @coolio.’
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, who parodied Gangsta’s Paradise with his song Amish Paradise, shared a photo of himself hugging the rapper, simply writing: ‘RIP Coolio.’
Questlove said: ‘Peaceful Journey Brother.’
Ice Cube added: ‘This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio’
(METRO)
