Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. in Monessen, Pa., on Aug. 1, 1963, the rapper grew up in Compton, Calif., and served as a volunteer firefighter earlier than pivoting to a full-time music profession. His stint with a firefighting crew within the San Jose space was “a way to clean up,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 1994.
“In firefighting training was discipline I needed. We ran every day. I wasn’t drinking or smoking or doing the stuff I usually did,” Coolio informed the newspaper.
His huge break would come that yr with “Fantastic Voyage,” adopted by “Gangsta’s Paradise” — a No. 1 single that was featured within the 1995 film “Dangerous Minds,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The track would ultimately earn Coolio a Grammy in 1996 and catapult him to hip-hop’s prime ranks.
The rapper’s lengthy profession included hits like “C U When U Get There” and “1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New),” collaborations with different artists and even a cooking collection.
As news of his dying unfold, star-studded tributes started to pour in.
“This is sad news,” fellow rapper Ice Cube wrote on Twitter. “I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.”
Pfeiffer credited “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which she known as “a brilliant song,” for turning “Dangerous Minds” right into a smash-box success in 1995.
“I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song,” she wrote on Instagram. “Sending love and light to his family.”