Coolio, Rapper and Actor, Dead at 59 - Rolling Stone

His hits include classic “Gangsta’s Paradise” and "Fantastic Voyage"

Coolio, whose Nineties music was a staple on radio, a favorite on MTV, and included the hit “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died at the age of 59.

Coolio’s manager, Jarez Posey, confirmed the rapper’s death to Rolling Stone. A cause of death was not immediately available.

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. in 1963, he went to school in Compton, California and attended Compton Community College. He cut his first single in the late 1980s, “Watcha Gonna Do,” a song that was played locally on a hip-hop station. He later connected with WC and the Maad Circle and contributed to their 1991 debut album, Ain’t a Damn Thang Changed.

By 1994, he had established himself in the Los Angeles rap scene and signed to Tommy Boy Records, where he released his debut studio album, It Takes a Thief. Album single “Fantastic Voyage,” accompanied by a playful video, hit Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100.

A year later he dropped his classic “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which appeared in the movie, Dangerous Minds. He linked up with gospel-trained singer L.V. for the unexpected haunting track. Tommy Boy reportedly did not think it would fit for his next album, and added it instead to the film’s soundtrack.

It hit Number One and became 1995’s biggest single. Its success guaranteed its inclusion on his next album titled after the track, and it won a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance.

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