‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio dies at age 59

Through Related Press

LOS ANGELES: Coolio, the rapper who was once amongst hip-hop’s largest names of the Nineties with hits together with “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Incredible Voyage,” died Wednesday at age 59, his supervisor mentioned.

Coolio died on the Los Angeles house of a chum, longtime supervisor Jarez Posey advised The Related Press. The motive was once no longer straight away transparent.

Coolio received a Grammy for highest solo rap efficiency for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” the 1995 hit from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer movie “Bad Minds” that sampled Stevie Marvel’s 1976 tune “Hobby Paradise” and was once performed repeatedly on MTV.

The Grammy, and the peak of his recognition, got here in 1996, amid a fierce feud between the hip-hop communities of the 2 coasts, which might take the lives of Tupac Shakur and The Infamous B.I.G. quickly after.

Coolio controlled to stick most commonly above the struggle.

“I’d like to assert this Grammy on behalf of the entire hip-hop country, West Coast, East Coast, and international, united we stand, divided we fall,” he mentioned from the degree as he authorised the award.

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., in Monessen, Pennsylvania south of Pittsburgh, Coolio moved to Compton, California. He spent a while as a young person in Northern California, the place his mom despatched him as a result of she felt town was once too unhealthy.

He mentioned in interviews that he began rapping at 15 and knew by means of 18 it was once what he sought after to do together with his lifestyles, however would cross to group school and paintings as a volunteer firefighter and in airport safety ahead of devoting himself full-time to the hip-hop scene.

His occupation took off with the 1994 free up of his debut album on Tommy Boy Information, “It Takes a Thief.” It’s opening observe, “Incredible Voyage,” would achieve No. 3 at the Billboard Sizzling 100.

A 12 months later, “Gangsta’s Paradise” would change into a No. 1 unmarried, with its darkish opening lyrics:

“As I stroll during the valley of the shadow of demise, I check out my lifestyles and understand there’s no longer a lot left, ‘motive I’ve been blastin’ and laughin’ see you later, that even my mama thinks that my thoughts is long gone.”

Social media lit up with reactions to the surprising demise.

“That is unhappy information,” Ice Dice mentioned on Twitter. “I witness first hand this guy’s grind to the highest of the business. Leisure In Peace, @Coolio.”

“Bizarre Al” Yankovic tweeted “RIP Coolio” at the side of an image of the 2 males hugging.

Coolio had mentioned in an interview on the time it was once launched that he wasn’t cool with Yankovic’s 1996 “Gangsta’s Paradise” parody, “Amish Paradise.” However the two later made peace.

The rapper would by no means once more have a tune just about as giant as “Gangsta’s Paradise,” however had next hits with 1996′s “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and 1997′s “C U When U Get There.”

His occupation album gross sales totaled 4.8 million, with 978 million on-demand streams of his songs, consistent with Luminate. He could be nominated for 6 Grammys total.

And together with his unique character he would change into a cultural staple, appearing every now and then, starring in a truth display about parenting referred to as “Coolio’s Regulations,” offering a voice for an episode of the animated display “Gravity Falls” and offering the theme tune for the Nickelodeon sitcom “Kenan & Kel.”

He had occasional criminal troubles, together with a 1998 conviction in Stuttgart, Germany, the place an boutique store proprietor mentioned he punched her when she attempted to prevent him from taking products with out paying. He was once sentenced to 6 months probation and fined $30,000.

He was once married to Josefa Salinas from 1996 to 2000. They’d 4 youngsters in combination.

LOS ANGELES: Coolio, the rapper who was once amongst hip-hop’s largest names of the Nineties with hits together with “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Incredible Voyage,” died Wednesday at age 59, his supervisor mentioned.

Coolio died on the Los Angeles house of a chum, longtime supervisor Jarez Posey advised The Related Press. The motive was once no longer straight away transparent.

Coolio received a Grammy for highest solo rap efficiency for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” the 1995 hit from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer movie “Bad Minds” that sampled Stevie Marvel’s 1976 tune “Hobby Paradise” and was once performed repeatedly on MTV.

The Grammy, and the peak of his recognition, got here in 1996, amid a fierce feud between the hip-hop communities of the 2 coasts, which might take the lives of Tupac Shakur and The Infamous B.I.G. quickly after.

Coolio controlled to stick most commonly above the struggle.

“I’d like to assert this Grammy on behalf of the entire hip-hop country, West Coast, East Coast, and international, united we stand, divided we fall,” he mentioned from the degree as he authorised the award.

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., in Monessen, Pennsylvania south of Pittsburgh, Coolio moved to Compton, California. He spent a while as a young person in Northern California, the place his mom despatched him as a result of she felt town was once too unhealthy.

He mentioned in interviews that he began rapping at 15 and knew by means of 18 it was once what he sought after to do together with his lifestyles, however would cross to group school and paintings as a volunteer firefighter and in airport safety ahead of devoting himself full-time to the hip-hop scene.

His occupation took off with the 1994 free up of his debut album on Tommy Boy Information, “It Takes a Thief.” It’s opening observe, “Incredible Voyage,” would achieve No. 3 at the Billboard Sizzling 100.

A 12 months later, “Gangsta’s Paradise” would change into a No. 1 unmarried, with its darkish opening lyrics:

“As I stroll during the valley of the shadow of demise, I check out my lifestyles and understand there’s no longer a lot left, ‘motive I’ve been blastin’ and laughin’ see you later, that even my mama thinks that my thoughts is long gone.”

Social media lit up with reactions to the surprising demise.

“That is unhappy information,” Ice Dice mentioned on Twitter. “I witness first hand this guy’s grind to the highest of the business. Leisure In Peace, @Coolio.”

“Bizarre Al” Yankovic tweeted “RIP Coolio” at the side of an image of the 2 males hugging.

Coolio had mentioned in an interview on the time it was once launched that he wasn’t cool with Yankovic’s 1996 “Gangsta’s Paradise” parody, “Amish Paradise.” However the two later made peace.

The rapper would by no means once more have a tune just about as giant as “Gangsta’s Paradise,” however had next hits with 1996′s “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and 1997′s “C U When U Get There.”

His occupation album gross sales totaled 4.8 million, with 978 million on-demand streams of his songs, consistent with Luminate. He could be nominated for 6 Grammys total.

And together with his unique character he would change into a cultural staple, appearing every now and then, starring in a truth display about parenting referred to as “Coolio’s Regulations,” offering a voice for an episode of the animated display “Gravity Falls” and offering the theme tune for the Nickelodeon sitcom “Kenan & Kel.”

He had occasional criminal troubles, together with a 1998 conviction in Stuttgart, Germany, the place an boutique store proprietor mentioned he punched her when she attempted to prevent him from taking products with out paying. He was once sentenced to 6 months probation and fined $30,000.

He was once married to Josefa Salinas from 1996 to 2000. They’d 4 youngsters in combination.