A sad mood is spreading in the rapping world. Coolio, 59, an American rapper, was confirmed dead on September 28, 2022. Jarez Posey, Coolio’s long-term manager, confirmed that the performer was found unresponsive in a friend’s bathroom in Los Angeles.
Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr, earned a Grammy award in 1995 for his hit song, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which was used as a soundtrack in the blockbuster movie “Dangerous Minds.”
Coolio’s award-winning rap song from the movie was influential in bringing gangster rap into mainstream media. His musical peers, including Snoop Dogg, were among the first to share tributes and messages on social media.
Michelle Pfeiffer, who had the lead role in the “Dangerous Minds” movie, shared her fond memories with Coolio during the movie shoot. Writing on Instagram, she said that she was heartbroken to hear about Coolio’s passing, and that the rap song still gives her chills whenever she hears it, even after 30 years.
Authorities did not give details of the exact cause of the singer’s death.
Speaking to TMZ, Posey said that Coolio might have suffered a heart attack.
Sheila Finegan, Coolio’s manager at Trinity Artists, said that she was saddened by the death of their friend and client and that Coolio’s talents touched the world and he would be missed.
In her Instagram post, Michelle Pfeiffer shared a video of her and the late rapper in the Gangsta’s Paradise music video, showing her sitting across from him as he raps. She also wrote that the rapper’s song was a big contributing factor to the success of their movie.
Coolio’s lead single for the movie featured a Stevie Wonder song in the background, won numerous awards, and has become one of the most streamed rap songs ever. It has over a billion views and streams on YouTube and Spotify.
Dangerous Minds made $179.5 million worldwide, while “Gangsta’s Paradise” became the biggest selling track on the 1995 US Billboard. In 1996, the song sold more than three million copies. Besides the Grammy award, Gangsta’s Paradise won other awards, including the 1996 MTV VMA’s in two categories.
Among the first people to write about Coolio’s death on social media were Ice Cube, Mc Hammer, LL Cool J, Questlove, and Flavor Flav.
Snoop Dogg shared a picture of him and Coolio on the “Gangsta Walk” music video set, which they recorded together in 2006.
Ice Cube, a former NWA member, tweeted that the news of Coolio’s passing was very sad and that he was a first-hand witness to Coolio’s journey to the top of the music industry. Mc Hammer said Coolio was one of the best people he has ever known while Flavor Flav noted that he and the late rapper had been scheduled to perform together on Tuesday.
