Coolio, the Grammy Award-winning rapper, and actor, best known for his songs “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage” sadly passed away on September 28th, 2022. The news of Coolio’s death came as a shock to his fans and the music industry as a whole. Now, six months after the artist was discovered dead at age 59 at a friend’s home in Los Angeles, his manager confirmed the musician’s cause of death on Thursday, April 6th.
Keep reading the article to know more about famous rapper Coolio, including who he was, how he died, what was the cause of his death, tributes for him, and much more!
Who Was Coolio (Rapper)?
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. professionally known as Coolio, who was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, later relocated to Compton and attended a community college there. Before dedicating himself fully to the hip-hop culture, he worked as a volunteer firefighter and in airport security. He was known for his unique style, catchy beats, and socially conscious lyrics. Coolio’s music touched the lives of many, and he was regarded as one of the most talented and influential rappers of his time.
After the 1994 release of “It Takes a Thief,” his debut album on Tommy Boy Records, his career took off. “Fantastic Voyage,” the album’s lead single, would peak at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later this year, a studio album that Coolio was working on will be released, according to his estate. The first posthumous album from Coolio will be called “Long Live Coolio,” and the first single from it, “TAG ‘You It,” which features Too $hort and DJ Wino, was released in March.
However, Coolio’s life was not without its challenges. He struggled with drug addiction throughout his career, and his battle with substance abuse was well-documented. In 1998, he was arrested for possession of crack cocaine and sentenced to probation. He later admitted to using heroin and crack cocaine in the past.
Despite his struggles, Coolio continued to make music and inspire his fans. He also became an actor, appearing in films such as “Batman & Robin” and “Daredevil.” He even starred in his own reality TV show, “Coolio’s Rules,” which aired on Oxygen in 2008.
How Did Coolio Die? Cause of Death Explained
The Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor, Coolio passed away at the age of 59 on September 28th, 2022. In the years leading up to his death, Coolio’s health began to deteriorate. He was hospitalized several times for various health issues, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In 2021, he announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which he said was a result of his years of smoking. Despite his diagnosis, Coolio remained active and continued to perform. He even released a new album, “El Cool Magnifico,” in 2021.
However, his health continued to decline, and he was hospitalized again in August 2022.
On Thursday, April 6th, 2023, in an interview with Associated Press, Coolio’s manager revealed his cause of death,saying Coolio died due to a fentanyl overdose, a powerful opioid that has claimed the lives of countless individuals in recent years. Coolio also had heroin and methamphetamine traces in his system.
Also, The New York Times took to social media handles to announce Coolio’s cause of death.
Netizens’ Reaction to Collio’s Death
Since Coolio’s death, his fans and friends took to social media to pay tribute to the rapper’s life and legacy. Many shared stories of how his music had impacted their lives and expressed their sadness at his passing. It is clear that Coolio will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved his music.
Power 98.3 informed about the cause of his death, and mentioned,
“The cause of Coolio’s death was determined to be fentanyl addiction, which continues to have an impact on both the country and the entertainment sector. Coolio’s loved ones recently learned from the coroner that fentanyl killed the rapper, according to a statement from the family spokesperson, Jarel (Jarez) Posey to TMZ.”
Damien Robitaille took a completely different way to pay tribute to the legend,
Pinkdaisies0214 sent condolences and sympathies to his family, saying
“I had no idea Coolio passed away from fentanyl toxicity. I send my sympathies to Coolio’s family and friends, during this difficult time.”
Coolio’s life and legacy will always be remembered, but his untimely death serves as a warning about the dangers of drug addiction. His passing is a call to action for society to address the root causes of addiction and provide support to those struggling with substance abuse. As we mourn the loss of this talented rapper and actor, we must also honor his memory by continuing to work toward a future where addiction is no longer a devastating epidemic.
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