Gangsta’s Paradise rapper Coolio is found dead at 59
Michelle Pfeiffer has led tributes to pioneering rapper coolio following his sudden death aged 59.
The musician, who was behind the 1995 hit song Gangsta’s Paradise, died on Wednesday afternoon. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed.
The rapper, whose real name was Artis leon ivey Jr, was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house in los Angeles, according to US media outlet TMZ.
He recorded Gangsta’s Paradise for the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, starring Miss Pfeiffer, and it went on to become one of the most successful rap songs of all time. it topped the US Billboard hot 100 for three weeks and won coolio the Grammy award for best rap solo performance in 1996.
Miss Pfeiffer, 64, said she was ‘heartbroken’ to hear about the news of his death, adding that she remembered him as ‘nothing but gracious’ when they worked together.
‘ Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio,’ she wrote on instagram, sharing a clip of the film featuring the track.
‘ I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later i still get chills when i hear the song. Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power, Artis leon ivey Jr.’
Coolio’s manager at Trinity Artists international, Sheila Finegan, confirmed the death to the PA news agency. ‘We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, coolio, who passed away this afternoon,’ the agency said. ‘he touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly.’
His other well-known songs included c U When U Get There, while he had more recently delighted fans with his passion in the kitchen, releasing his recipe book cookin’ With coolio in 2009.
The rapper was born in Pennsylvania, but later moved to compton, california, where he released his first single in 1987.
Heavyweights from the rap world, including ice cube, Mc hammer and Snoop Dogg paid their respects after the news was shared on social media.
Former NWA star ice cube said he had witnessed coolio’s ‘grind to the top of the industry’. Mc hammer described coolio as ‘one of the nicest dudes i’ve known’, sharing a picture of the pair with rappers Tupac and Snoop Dogg.