It is with great sadness that we report the death of Coolio, one of the most iconic rappers of the 1990s. Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., passed away on September 28th,2022, at the age of 59. The cause of death has not yet been made public.
Coolio rose to prominence in the mid-1990s with his hit single “Fantastic Voyage.” The song, which samples the 1980 hit “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang, was a huge success, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Coolio a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. “Fantastic Voyage” was just the beginning for Coolio; he would go on to release a number of other successful singles, including “Gangsta’s Paradise,” “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New),” and “C U When U Get There.”
In addition to his musical career, Coolio also appeared in a number of films and television shows. He had a recurring role on the popular sitcom KBBQ’s House from 2005 to 2009. He also appeared in the films Junk Yard Dogg (1999), Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000), and Any Given Sunday (1999).
Coolio was a true pioneer in the world of rap music. His unique style helped to shape the sound of rap in the 1990s and inspired a new generation of artists. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
