Getty The Coolio set during Groovin The Moo 2019 on April 28, 2019 in Canberra, Australia.
Coolio, the rapper best known for his massive success in the ’90s, has died today at age 59, TMZ was the first to report. His official cause of death has not yet been determined, but emergency personnel on the scene suspect he died from cardiac arrest, his manager told TMZ.
TMZ reported that Coolio was visiting a friend in Los Angeles when he died late Wednesday afternoon, September 28, 2022. His real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr. Police told TMZ paramedics were called to the Los Angeles house at about 4 p.m. Pacific time for a medical emergency. Coolio was dead when EMS arrived, law enforcement told the outlet.
Coolio entered the LA rap scene in the late ’80s, and found huge fame in 1995 with “Gangsta’s Paradise.” TMZ reported He recorded the song for the soundtrack of “Dangerous Minds,” a Michelle Pfeiffer film.
“The song reached #1 and stayed there for 3 weeks,” TMZ reported.
While Coolio was best known for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” he had several other hits, including “Fantastic Voyage” in 1994, which hit #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100, according to TMZ. He also had hits with “1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New)” and “It’s All the Way Live (Now).”
Here’s what you need to know:
Coolio Was Visiting a Friend in Los Angeles & Found Him Dead on the Bathroom Floor
Coolio’s manager, Jarez, told TMZ that Coolio went into the bathroom at his friend’s house, and when he did not return, his friend called for him. When Coolio did not answer after several attempts, the friend went into the bathroom and found Coolio on the floor, TMZ reported.
The friend called 911, and EMS personnel pronounced Coolio dead on the scene, TMZ reported.
“We’re told the friend called EMTs, who arrived and pronounced Coolio dead on the scene — and Jarez tells us the paramedics suspect he suffered cardiac arrest. An official cause of death has not been determined,” TMZ reported.
Police opened an investigation into Coolio’s death, they told TMZ, but they said there do not appear to be any signs of foul play. A coroner will conduct an autopsy and make a final determination, TMZ reported.
Thousands of Fans Posted Tributes to Coolio on His Last Video
The last video Coolio posted on his Instagram page was gaining tens of thousands of views per hour immediately after his death was announced. Fans wrote tributes to him after he died suddenly at age 59. The video, which you can watch here or above, was recorded when Coolio was performing in Texas.
“You’re finally in Gangsters Paradise. Rest Easy King. You were a part of my childhood. You will be missed, condolences to your family and friends,” one person wrote in the comments.
“Rip homie…,” another person wrote. “im bout to play “Gangsta Paradise all night for u.”
“R.I.P LEGEND,” wrote another person.
Another wrote, “RIP KING.”
Many fans wrote that Coolio was a part of their early childhood memories.
“RIP KING. You were the very first album I ever bought. Gangsters paradise I knew by heart at 8 years old,” wrote a fan.
“Just heard the news,” another fan commented. “I swear I was just bumping gangsters paradise the other day. Brought back alot of good memories. Rest in peace big homie.”
“Have a Fantastic Voyage in Ganstas Paradise OG,” another fan wrote. “Thx 4 the Memories.”
READ NEXT: Coolio’s Last Instagram Post: Video Becomes Memorial to Rapper