Rapper Coolio from GANGSTA’S Paradise has reportedly passed away at the age of 59 after collapsing at a friend’s residence.
According to his representative, the renowned rapper, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., passed away on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Jarez, Coolio’s longtime manager, told TMZ that the rap legend entered the bathroom but never left.
The friend ultimately went to check on Coolio since he was getting worried and discovered him on the ground.
According to TMZ, the singer may have experienced a heart arrest.
At around 4 p.m. PST, police were seen at the residence where the well-known musician was discovered dead.
No official cause of death has been disclosed as of yet.
In the late 1980s, Coolio, a Grammy-winning and multi-platinum recording artist, was just starting out. Gangsta’s Paradise, his hit single from 1995, catapulted him to stardom.
The song was included on the soundtrack for the 1995 Michelle Pfeiffer movie Dangerous Minds.
In 2009, Coolio finished third on Celebrity Big Brother, and a year later, he made an appearance on Ultimate Big Brother.
His passing shocked the rap and hip-hop communities, as Ice Cube noted in the following statement: “These are devastating news. I have personally observed this man’s ascent to the top of his profession. In peace, please.”
Says LL Cool J “Peace be with you, my brother. Liebe und Respekt, “as numerous other tributes rapidly came in.
Fantastic Voyage, 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New), and It’s All the Way Live were some of Coolio’s further hits (Now).
Aw, Here It Goes, the theme song for the popular TV programme Kenan & Kel, was also composed by him.
The rapper uploaded a video from a Texas onstage performance to Instagram just a few days before he passed away.
He chose to let the video speak for itself rather than adding a caption to the post.
As fans learn of his passing, that post has taken on the status of a temporary memorial.
