Coolio

Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known by his stage name Coolio, was an American rapper and actor. Born on August 1, 1963, he gained fame for his Grammy-winning single 'Gangsta's Paradise' in 1995, which brought hip hop to a wider audience. Coolio released nine albums, including 'It Takes a Thief' (1994), 'Gangsta's Paradise' (1995), and 'My Soul' (1997). Prior to his solo career, he was a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle. In addition to his music, Coolio appeared in movies and TV shows, including the reality television show 'Coolio's Rules' (2008). He also created the web series 'Cookin' with Coolio' and released a cookbook. Coolio tragically passed away on September 28, 2022, at the age of 59, from an accidental overdose of fentanyl. Throughout his career, Coolio sold 4.8 million albums in the U.S.