Rapper Coolio, who helped define the sound of the 1990s, died in Los Angeles on September 28 at the age of 59, his manager, Jarez Posey, confirmed to Rolling Stone.
Coolio was born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. in Monessen, Pennsylvania in 1963. He later moved to the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles, home to many other notable rappers, including NWA bandmates Kendrick Lamar and Roddy Ricch. Coolio released his debut album, “It Takes a Thief,” in 1994, and the following year released the seminal “Gangsta’s Paradise.” The title track, which interpolates “Pastime Paradise” by Stevie Wonder, is among Coolio’s best-known songs.
During his career he has released eight studio albums, his last being 2009’s “From the Bottom 2 the Top”. Coolio received six Grammy nominations and “Gangsta’s Paradise” won him Best Solo Performance. rap in 1996.
In addition to her signature gravity-defying tresses, Coolio solidified her status as an icon for many millennia when her song “Aw, Here It Goes!” was used as the theme for the 1996 Nickelodeon series “Kenan & Kel”. He’s appeared in various other movies and TV shows over the years, mostly as himself. His cooking skills also inspired the launch of the web series “Cookin’ With Coolio” in 2008.
Coolio performed until his death, and his final public appearance was at Riot Fest in Chicago on September 18.
POPSUGAR reached out to Coolio’s representative for comment, but did not immediately respond.
