Legendary rapper, Artis Leon Jr, better known as Coolio has passed on. The rapper died on Wednesday 20th September 2022, in Los Angeles at the age of 59.

His death was announced by his longtime manager, Jarez Posey, who explained that the star had died at his friend’s house, where he went visiting.

According to him, the singer had excused himself to use the restroom. When he didn’t return, the friend went to check on him and found him laying on the floor.                Paramedics were called but were unable to revive him. No official cause has yet been determined.

Coolio came into the rap scene in the late 80’s, but shot to limelight when his song “Gangsters Paradise” for the soundtrack of Michelle Pfeiffer’s movie, “Dangerous Minds” catapulted him to global stardom.

The song, which hit number one in dozens of countries worldwide, won him a Grammy and was the top selling single in 1995 in the United States, selling more than five million copies.

Legendary Rapper Coolio

Coolio went ahead to win two MTV Video Music Awards for the Stevie Wonder–sampling hit and enjoyed further hit singles, most notably is “See you when u get there” released in 1997. He continued releasing albums up until his final musical release in 2009.

He performed regularly till September 2022, on stage at Chicago’s Rio Festival in what was to be of his last public performance.

Rapper Coolio

He was also an actor, who had featured in several films, sitcoms and in his own reality shows like “Cooking with Coolio” and “Coolio Rules”.

Coolio is survived by ten children, four of which were from his four year marriage to ex-wife Josefa Salinas, while six were from other previous relationships.

Story: Hilda Katu

Media: Coolio/ Instagram

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