Coolio, the ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Rapper Has Died at 59

According to police, an investigation has been opened into the death of the victim. However, there are no signs of foul play as of now. Our sources tell us that the coroner will make a final decision after an autopsy.

Coolio passed away Wednesday, in Los Angeles… TMZ reports.

He was visiting a friend on Wednesday afternoon when he died. The rapper who had achieved great success in the 90s was a huge success.

Jarez Coolio’s long-time manager says Coolio went to use the bathroom at a friend’s house but didn’t return. The friend kept calling and finally went in and found Coolio lying on the ground.

According to Jarez, Coolio was declared dead by EMTs who arrived on the scene and declared Coolio dead. We are told that the paramedics believe that he had suffered cardiac arrest. The official cause of his death has not yet been established.

Coolio is actually Artis Len Ivey Jr. He started his career in L.A.’s rap scene in the late 80s. But he rose to prominence when he released “Gangsta’s Paradise”, as the soundtrack for the Michelle Pfeiffer movie, “Dangerous Minds.”

The song reached #1 and stayed there for three weeks.

Coolio’s signature hit was ‘Paradise,’ but he had many other hits — including 1994’s “Fantastic Voyage”, which reached #3 on Billboards Hot 100.

Coolio was 59.