Coolio, rapper and actor, best known for his hit single ‘Gangsta’s Paradise,’ has passed away at the age of 59.

 

 

 

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Paramedics were called to an L.A. home around 4PM on Wednesday (Sept. 28) for a ‘medical emergency,’ and pronounced Coolio dead on-scene.  According to TMZ, “Coolio’s longtime manager, Jarez, says Coolio went to the bathroom at his friend’s house, but when he didn’t come out after a while … the friend kept calling for him, and eventually went in and found Coolio laying on the floor.”

 

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. in Monessan, Pennsylvania, he later moved to Compton, California where he released his first single in the late 80s.  By 1994, he signed to Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album, It Takes a Thief.  His first single, ‘Fantastic Voyage’ hit the No.3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and the following year, released the classic ‘Gangsta’s Paradise,’ which appeared in the film Dangerous Minds.

 

 

 

 

As of right now, police have opened a death investigation.  This story is still developing.

 

RIP COOLIO

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