RIP: ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ hitmaker Coolio dead at 59

American rapper and producer Artis Leon Ivey Jr, popularly known as Coolio, passed away on Wednesday 28 September, according to a report by TMZ. 

RIP: COOLIO DEAD AT 59

TMZ reports that Coolio’s longtime manager, Jarez, said that the rapper was at a friend’s home in Los Angeles when he excused himself to go to the bathroom. When he did not return after a considerable amount of time, his friend tried calling him, but did not get a response.

The concerned friend went into the bathroom and discovered Coolio on the floor. The paramedics were then called.

The Gangsta’s Paradise hitmaker is suspected to have had a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead on the scene. However, the official cause of death is still pending.

Watch and listen: ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’

Fans of the rapper left their condolences under his last Instagram post of his latest performance in Texas.

“Love you forever King. Rest easy ❤️,” wrote @jackarnold.

“RIP king!????,” wrote @pamdamonium1.

“Rip To the legend!!! Gangster paradise is one of my favs fr????????,” wrote @

Manolo_flexxin.

“Rest in gangstas paradise ????????,” wrote @camthe_cameraman.

“Rip homie…im bout to play “Gangsta Paradise all night for you,” wrote @itown5.

“RIP Legend,Rest in the gangsta paradise????️,” wrote @douglasxs30.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RAPPER 

• Coolio’s career began in the 1980s.
• The rapper rose to fame in 1995 following the release of his hit song Gangsta’s Paradise. The song was featured in the movie Dangerous Minds with Michelle Pfeiffer.
• Coolio won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for the song.
• The rapper had six children.
• He married Josefa Salina in 1996, but the pair divorced four years later.

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