The world mourns as Gangsta’s Paradise rapper Coolio dies at 59
Pete Kent
Coolio, a rapper and record producer best known for hits like “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage,” has died, according to reports. He was 59.
His longtime manager Jarez Posey confirmed the news to Rolling Stone, NBC News and Today Wednesday.
He said he believes Coolio had a heart attack, but did not provide an official cause of death.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1963, Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., later moved to Compton, California, where he was raised.
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He recorded in the 1980s, and his career blew up in 1995 with his song “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which was featured in the Michelle Pfeiffer-led film “Dangerous Minds.”
Coolio’s 1994 single “Fantastic Voyage” also hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
