‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio dies at 59

The police have investigated his death, though foul play is not suspected

The famous American rapper, Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known as Coolio, is dead.

He was 59.

The Grammy-winning rapper, producer and actor is best known for his 1995 hit ‘Gangsta’s Paradise.

The rapper’s longtime manager Jarel Posey confirmed that Coolio died around 1 a.m. PT on Thursday, Nigerian time.

According to a BBC report, Coolio was discovered unresponsive on a bathroom floor. First responders pronounced him dead on their arrival.

Meanwhile, the police have investigated his death, though foul play is not suspected.

Posey stated he appeared to have suffered a cardiac arrest.

Music career
Coolio recorded his first single in 1987, titled ‘Whatcha Gonna Do?’.

He also recorded ‘What Makes You Dance (Force Groove)’ with Nu-Skool in 1988.


Coolio made connections in the L.A. rap scene in 1991, joining the group WC and the Maad Circle, led by rapper WC.

In 1994, Coolio signed to Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album ‘It Takes a Thief’.

Gangsta’s Paradise
In 1995, Coolio released ‘Gangsta’s Paradise, featuring R&B singer L.V., for the film Dangerous Minds.

The song was recorded for the 1995 film “Dangerous Minds,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

It became one of the most successful rap songs ever, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.

It was the No. 1 single of 1995 in the United States for all genres. It was a global hit topping the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand charts.


‘Gangsta’s Paradise ‘was the second-best-selling single of 1995 in the U.K.

The song created controversy when Coolio claimed that comedy musician ‘Weird Al Yankovic had not asked permission to make his parody of ‘Gangsta’s Paradise, titled ‘Amish Paradise.

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At the 1996 Grammy Awards, the song won Coolio a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.

The song rides on the chorus and music of ‘Pastime Paradise’ by Stevie Wonder, which was recorded nearly 20 years earlier.

Other successes
After the success of “Gangsta’s Paradise” in the mid-’90s, Coolio continued to grow in fame.

He recorded ‘Aw, Here It Goes!’ for the opening sequence of Nickelodeon’s ‘Kenan & Kel’, which he also appeared in.

His third album, ‘My Soul’, was released in 1997 and contained ‘C U When U Get There, which hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album was certified gold but didn’t have the same effect as his first two records and thus became his last record with Tommy Boy.

Coolio released five more studio albums; ‘Coolio.com’, ‘El Cool Magnifico’, ‘The Return of the Gangsta’, ‘Steal Hear’ and 2009’s ‘From the Bottom 2 the Top’.

Acting career
A talented actor, Coolio also appeared in dozens of films and TV shows throughout his career.

In 1995, he played himself on ‘Martin’ (1995).

His other acting credits include ‘Dangerous Minds’, ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996), ‘Batman & Robin’ (1997), ‘The Nanny’ (1998), ‘Tyrone’ (1999), ‘Midnight Mass’ (1999), ‘Charmed’ (2002), ‘Starving’ (2009), ‘Futurama’ (2001, 2010) and ‘Gravity Falls’ (2012).

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www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/556694-gangstas-paradise-rapper-coolio-dies-at-59.html

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's not much left
'Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long, that
Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone

But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you're talkin', and where you're walkin'
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk

I really hate to trip but I gotta loc
As they croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the streetlight

Been spendin' most their lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Been spendin' most their lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Look at the situation they got me facin'
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the street
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams

I'm an educated fool with money on my mind
Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I'm a loc'd out gangsta set trippin' banger
And my homies is down so don't arouse my anger, fool

Death ain't nothin' but a heartbeat away
I'm livin' life, do or die, what can I say
I'm 23 now, but will I live to see 24?
The way things is going, I don't know

Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the ones we hurt, are you and me?

Been spendin' most their lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Been spendin' most their lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybody's runnin', but half of them ain't lookin'
It's goin' on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin'
They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me

If they can't understand it, how can they reach me
I guess they can't, I guess they won't
I guess they front, that's why I know my life is out of luck, fool
Been spendin' most their lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Been spendin' most their lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives, livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the ones we hurt, are you and me?
Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the ones we hurt, are you and me?

"See you when you get there" was the hit song in that year. I really love that song that very year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPO76Jlnz6c