Coolio
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022), known by his stage name Coolio, was an American rapper and chef. He was best known for his single "Gangsta's Paradise" (1995), which won a Grammy Award, and was credited for changing the course of hip hop by bringing it to a wider audience. Other singles included "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (1996), and "C U When U Get There" (1997). He released nine albums, the first three of which achieved mainstream success: It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). Coolio first achieved recognition as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle. Coolio sold 4.8 million albums in the U.S.
Coolio | |
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Coolio in 2002 performing for U.S. Army soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Born | Artis Leon Ivey Jr. August 1, 1963 Monessen, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | September 28, 2022 (aged 59) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1987–2022 |
| Spouse |
Josefa Salinas
(m. 1996; div. 2000) |
| Children | 10 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | WC and the Maad Circle |
He also created the 6-episode reality television show Coolio's Rules (2008), the web series Cookin' with Coolio, and published a cookbook.
Coolio died on September 28, 2022, aged 59, from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.