LOS ANGELES — Coolio was a rapper who was one of hip-hop’s most prominent names in the 1990s, with hits like “Gangsta’s Paradise”, and “Fantastic Voyage.” He died Wednesday at the age of 59, according to his manager.
Coolio, a longtime friend and manager Jarez Posey reported that Coolio died in Los Angeles at his home. The cause of the death was not immediately known.
Coolio was awarded a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” a 1995 hit from the soundtrack to Michelle Pfeiffer’s film “Dangerous Minds”. It sampled Stevie Wonder’s 1976 track “Pastime Paradise” which was repeatedly played on MTV.
In 1996, the Grammy was won by Shakur. This occurred amid a bitter feud between hip-hop communities on both coasts. It would also bring down The Notorious B.I.G. soon after.
Coolio managed to remain above the conflict.
As he accepted the award, he stated, “I’d love to claim this Grammy in behalf of the entire hip-hop nation West Coast, East Coast and worldwide, united We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
As he accepted the award, he stated, “I’d love to claim this Grammy in behalf of the entire hip-hop nation West Coast, East Coast and worldwide, united We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
Coolio was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh. He later moved to Compton. As a teenager, he spent time in Northern California. His mother sent him there because the city was too dangerous.
Interviews with him revealed that he began rapping when he was 15 years old and realized it was his calling by the age of 18. He would attend community college, work in airport security, and then dedicate himself to hip-hop.
His career took off after the 1994 release of “It Takes A Thief”, his debut album on Tommy Boy Records. The album’s first track, “Fantastic Voyage,” reached No. 3.
One year later, “Gangsta’s Paradise”, would be a No. With its dark opening lyrics, “Gangsta’s Paradise” would become a No. 1 single.
“As I walk through valley of shadow of death, my life becomes a blurred blur of laughter and blastin’ music. My mama is convinced that my mind has gone.”
Reactions on the untimely death flooded social media.
Ice Cube tweeted, “This is sad news.” “I witnessed firsthand this man’s struggle to the top in the industry. Rest In Peace, @Coolio.”
Coolio had stated in an interview that he was not happy with Yankovic’s 1996 parody “Gangsta’s Paradise”, “Amish Paradise”. They made peace later.
Although he would never have another song as popular as “Gangsta’s Paradise,” he did have hits with “1, 2, 3, 4, (Sumpin’ NEW)” (1996) and “C U When You Get There” (1997).
According to Luminate, his career album sales reached 4.8 million. There were 978 million streams of his songs on-demand. He was nominated for six Grammys.
His distinctive persona would make him a cultural icon, appearing in a variety of reality shows about parenting called “Coolio’s Rules”, providing voice talent for “Gravity Falls”, and the theme music for Nickelodeon’s sitcom “Kenan & Kel.”
There were occasional legal problems, including a 1998 Stuttgart conviction where a boutique shop owner claimed he punched his victim when she tried stopping him from buying merchandise without paying. He was sentenced with six months probation and a $30,000.
Josefa Salinas was his wife from 1996 to 2000. Together they had four children.
