Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022), known professionally as Coolio, was an American rapper and entertainer. He gained international recognition for his 1995 single "Gangsta's Paradise", which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and became one of the most successful rap songs of the 1990s. Other notable singles include "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (1996), and "C U When U Get There" (1997). Coolio released nine studio albums, with his first three—"It Takes a Thief" (1994), "Gangsta's Paradise" (1995), and "My Soul" (1997)—achieving mainstream success. He first gained recognition as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle and sold approximately 4.8 million albums in the United States. Born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, Coolio moved with his family to Compton, California, at the age of eight. He experienced severe asthma as a child and developed an early interest in reading. He began rapping as a teenager, adopting the nickname Coolio Iglesias, later shortened to Coolio. During his youth, he encountered legal and personal challenges, including arrests and substance abuse, which he later overcame through religious faith. Before pursuing music professionally, he worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, a volunteer fire department, and airport security. Coolio’s recording career began in 1987 with the single "Whatcha Gonna Do?" and he later collaborated with Nu-Skool. In 1991, he joined WC and the Maad Circle, contributing to the group’s debut album "Ain’t a Damn Thang Changed". In 1994, he signed with Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album, "It Takes a Thief", which included the hit single "Fantastic Voyage". The album was certified Platinum in the United States and received praise for its humorous take on gangsta rap. In 1995, Coolio released "Gangsta's Paradise" for the film "Dangerous Minds". The single achieved global success, topping charts in multiple countries and later becoming the title track of his second album, which was certified double Platinum in the U.S. The album also included hits such as "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" and "Too Hot". He continued to collaborate with other artists, appearing on soundtracks including "Eddie" (1996) and "Space Jam" (1996). His third album, "My Soul" (1997), achieved Platinum status but did not match the commercial success of his previous releases, and he was eventually dropped from Tommy Boy Records. Subsequent albums, including "Coolio.com" (2001), "El Cool Magnifico" (2003), "The Return of the Gangsta" (2006), "Steal Hear" (2008), "From the Bottom 2 the Top" (2009), and "Long Live the Thief" (2017), did not chart significantly, though he achieved a minor UK hit in 2006 with "Gangsta Walk" featuring Snoop Dogg. Outside music, Coolio appeared in television and film, including guest roles on "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch", "The Nanny", "Charmed", "Blind Date", and "Black Jesus", as well as voice acting on "Futurama". He participated in reality television, including "Celebrity Big Brother 6" (2009) and "Ultimate Big Brother" (2010), "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off" (2012), and "Wife Swap" (2013). He also created the reality show "Coolio's Rules" (2008), the web series "Cookin' with Coolio", and published a cookbook. Coolio died on September 28, 2022, in Los Angeles at the age of 59. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office reported his death as resulting from an overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, with contributing factors including cardiomyopathy, chronic asthma, and cigarette use. He was cremated, with portions of his ashes incorporated into family jewellery and the remainder placed in an urn. Studio albums It Takes a Thief (1994) Gangsta's Paradise (1995) My Soul (1997) Coolio.com (2001) El Cool Magnifico (2002) The Return of the Gangsta (2006) Steal Hear (2008) From the Bottom 2 the Top (2009) Long Live Coolio (2026)