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US rapper Coolio who shot to fame with Gangsta’s Paradise, the chart-topping 1995 song, is no more. He died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, his manager said. He was 59.

Long time manager and friend of the rapper, Jarez Posey told the US media, Coolio went to the bathroom at a friend’s house and did not come out for a while. They called out to him but receiving no response they went in and found him on the floor. The friend called the paramedics who suspected cardiac arrest and pronounced him dead. The official cause has yet to be ascertained.

Journey of Coolio To Fame and Success

Artis Leon Ivey popularly known as Coolio was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania. Artis then moved to Compton, California where he attended community college. He was a volunteer firefighter and in airport security before taking up hip-hop full-time.

The rapper, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr,  became an instant hit in 1995 when he released Gangsta’s Paradise for the soundtrack of the film Dangerous Minds. He won the best rap solo performance at the following year’s Grammy Awards for it. Moreover, It continues to be widely listened to and has just passed a billion streams on Spotify, according to his official website. In a glittering career in music he was nominated for five other Grammys. His career started off with the 1994 release of his debut album, It Takes a Thief, on Tommy Boy Records. Its opening track, Fantastic Voyage, would reach No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Tributes by Music Artists and Other Artists for Coolio

Tributes were pouring in from all corners.

Michelle Pfeiffer, who worked along with Coolio in Dangerous Minds, was among those to pay tribute to the rapper. Pfeiffers’ Instagram post said: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short … I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear (Gangsta’s Paradise).”

Rapper MC Hammer also described the rapper as “Good people”. He shared a couple of pictures of the pair together with Tupac and Snoop Dogg, saying “one of the nicest dudes I’ve known.” 

Rapper Ice Cube Tweeted: “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.”

Vanilla Ice tweeted: “I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away,”.

Oscar-winning musician Questlove tweeted: “Peaceful Journey Brother.”

Paying tribute to Cooolio, Singer Debbie Harry said: “Rest in power”. 

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