Rapper Coolio, who was one of hip-hop's biggest names in the 1990s with hits like "Gangsta Paradise" and "Fantastic Voyage," died Wednesday at the age of 59
Coolio, whose legal name was Artis Leon Ive Jr., died at a friend's home in Los Angeles, longtime manager Jerez Posey told The Associated Press.
The reason was not immediately clear.
Coolio won a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance for "Gangsta's Paradise", a 1995 hit from the soundtrack of Michelle Pfeiffer's film "Dangerous Minds", which samples Stevie Wonder's 1976 song "Pastim Paradise".
He was nominated for a further five Grammy Awards during a career that began in the late 1980s.
Coolio, born in Monsen, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh, moved to Compton, California, where he attended community college.
He worked as a volunteer firefighter and in airport security before devoting himself full time to the hip-hop scene.
His career began in 1994 with the release of his debut album, "It Takes a Thief", on Tommy Boy Records. Its opening song, "Fantastic Voyage", would peak at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
His career began in 1994 with the release of his debut album, "It Takes a Thief", on Tommy Boy Records. Its opening song, "Fantastic Voyage", would peak at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Law enforcement sources tell Stroyonyou that no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the site of Coolio's death.
An autopsy and toxicology tests will be used to determine the official cause of death.
We were told that the police have started an investigation into the death, but so far there has been no sign of any wrongdoing.
However, our sources say that the coroner will take a final call after the post-mortem.
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