Moment Coolio shocks Australian TV hosts by revealing he has FIVE grandchildren in a TV interview just months before his death at 59
Coolio, the American rapper best known for his 90s hit Gangsta’s Paradise, opened up about life as a grandpa in one of his last TV interviews just six months ago.
The musician and father of 10, real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr, died Wednesday at a friend’s home in Los Angeles at the age of 59.
He revealed on Australian TV show Today Extra in March that he had five young grandchildren, which visibly surprised hosts Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell.
Coolio, the American rapper best known for his 90s hit Gangsta’s Paradise, opened up about life as a grandpa in one of his last TV interviews just six months ago.
Coolio was in Melbourne to promote the Made in the ’90s festival, a nostalgic concert tour featuring popular artists from the early 1990s.
She was asked what her kids thought of her popular online cooking show and replied, “They like it. “Dad, can you cook this for me? “Dad, can you do this to me?” That hasn’t changed. My children are all adults, I have five grandchildren now.
Jeffreys and Campbell were shocked that Coolio had so many grandchildren in their 50s.
Campbell asked Coolio what his grandchildren thought of his rap career.
He said they were still “babies” and “didn’t get it yet”, before expressing his hope that they would grow up to be involved in music in some way.
He revealed on Australian TV show Today Extra in March that he has five young grandchildren, which left hosts Sylvia Jeffreys (centre) and David Campbell (left) visibly surprised.
The musician and father of 10, real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr, died Wednesday at a friend’s home in Los Angeles at the age of 59. Coolio is survived by his ex-wife Josefa Salinas, whom he married in 1996. The former couple separated four years later after having four children
He was found unconscious on the bathroom floor of a friend’s home in Los Angeles around 4 p.m. Wednesday. (Photo: Coolio at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards in New York)
Coolio is believed to have had as many as 10 children, with some claims that he would have more with multiple women.
He had four children with his ex-wife Josefa Salinas: daughters Artisha, Brandi and Jackie, and son Artis.
Coolio was married to Salinas from 1996 to 2000.
The musician was an avid chef and started the popular Cookin’ with Coolio web series. He also published a cookbook called Cookin’ with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price (pictured)
Coolio died Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles. He was found unconscious on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house around 4 p.m.
Doctors pronounced him dead at the scene and an autopsy is currently underway to establish the official cause of death, although law enforcement sources said “no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found on places” and they do not suspect foul play.
Paramedics suspected he had suffered a cardiac arrest, according to the star’s longtime manager, Jarez Posey.
Many celebrities took to social media to share their condolences, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Ice Cube and MC Hammer.
Michelle Pfeiffer paid tribute to Coolio, after they worked together in the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, which featured Gangsta’s Paradise on its soundtrack.
Pfeiffer and Coolio worked together in the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, which had Gangsta’s Paradise on its soundtrack. She featured in the famous music video for the song.
‘Heartbroken to learn of the passing of talented artist @coolio. A life too short,” the actress wrote on Instagram.
“As some of you may know, I had the good fortune to work with him on Dangerous Minds in 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack – which I think is why our film was so successful.”
Other celebrities, including Ice Cube and MC Hammer, shared tributes
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