#Artis Leon Ivey Jr

[todayinhiphophistory]

Today in Hip Hop History:

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. better known as Coolio died September 28, 2022

[lboogie1906]

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022) known by his stage name Coolio, was a rapper. First rising to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle with his Brother Crazy Toones, he achieved mainstream success as a solo artist in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta’s Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997).

He was known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise”, as well as other singles “Fantastic Voyage” (1994), “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and “C U When U Get There” (1997).

He was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, and was raised mostly in Compton. His mother was a factory worker who divorced his carpenter father and moved to Compton when he was eight years old.

After attending Compton Community College, he worked in jobs such as volunteer firefighting and security at the LAX before becoming a rapper.

He was known for rapping the theme song (“Aw, Here It Goes!”) for the series Kenan & Kel. He has gone on to release albums independently and became a chef, creating a web series titled Cookin’ with Coolio and releasing a cookbook.

He and jazz saxophonist Jarez were enlisted as spokespersons by the group Environmental Justice and Climate Change to educate students at HBCUs about global warming. He is a spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

He had ten children, one of whom was born to his wife, Josefa Salinas (1996-2000). He had five grandchildren.

He was the running mate for pornographic actress Cherie DeVille’s Democratic presidential run in 2020. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[mikijamcf]

Happy Born Day to Artis Leon Ivey Jr. aka Coolio (August 1, 1963 - September 22, 2022) Rapper, actor, chef, and record producer. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul. He is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", as well as other singles "Fantastic Voyage", "1, 2, 3, 4" and "C U When U Get There". He was also known for rapping the theme song for the mid-to-late 1990s Nickelodeon series Kenan & Kel. Coolio has since gone on to release albums independently and has also become a chef, creating a web series titled Cookin' with Coolio and releasing a cookbook.

[bodegacatspresents]

Remembering Artis Leon Ivey Junior

Last year, our community lost a legend: Artis Leon Ivey Jr., professionally known as “Coolio.”

@coolio's creativity and talents transcended beyond hip-hop music.

The Grammy Award-winning artist was loved by many - especially by those in his hometown, Compton, CA.

Join us as we honor @coolio and his legacy with a digital memorial titled, Commemorating Coolio - which we've created right here on Tumblr, @stan-digitalmemorialforcoolio!

In addition, please join us for a virtual candlelight vigil in memory of @coolio, which we’re hosting on Commemorating Coolio.

Submissions for the virtual candlelight vigil close at 11:59pm PST on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

All submissions are subject for approval before posting.

By making a submission, one understands that their participation in our virtual candlelight vigil is completely voluntary and any and all submissions does not guarantee approval or fulfillment.

Link for Submissions:

https://stan-digitalmemorialforcoolio.tumblr.com/submit

[wikiuntamed]

On this day in Wikipedia: Thursday, 28th September

Welcome, こんにちは, Bienvenida, Bienvenida 🤗 What does @Wikipedia say about 28th September through the years 🏛️📜🗓️?

28th September 2022 🗓️ : Death - Coolio Coolio, American rapper (b. 1963) "Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022), known by his stage name Coolio, was an American rapper. He was best known for his singles "Gangsta's Paradise" (1995), which won a Grammy Award, and was credited for changing the course of hip hop by bringing it to a wider audience,..."

Image

28th September 2018 🗓️ : Event - 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami The 7.5 Mw 2018 Sulawesi earthquake, which triggered a large tsunami, leaves 4,340 dead and 10,679 injured. "On 28 September 2018, a shallow, large earthquake struck in the neck of the Minahasa Peninsula, Indonesia, with its epicentre located in the mountainous Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi. The magnitude 7.5 quake was located 70 km (43 mi) away from the provincial capital Palu and was felt as far..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by Devina Andiviaty

28th September 2013 🗓️ : Death - James Emanuel James Emanuel, American-French poet and scholar (b. 1921) "James Emanuel (born June 15, 1921 – September 28, 2013) was a poet and scholar from Alliance, Nebraska. Emanuel, who is ranked by some critics as one of the best and most neglected poets of the 20th century, published more than 300 poems, 13 individual books, an influential anthology of..."

28th September 1973 🗓️ : Event - ITT Inc. The ITT Building in New York City is bombed in protest at ITT's alleged involvement in the coup d'état in Chile. "ITT Inc., formerly ITT Corporation, is an American worldwide manufacturing company based in Stamford, Connecticut. The company produces specialty components for the aerospace, transportation, energy and industrial markets. ITT's three businesses include Industrial Process, Motion Technologies, and..."

28th September 1923 🗓️ : Birth - William Windom (actor) William Windom, American actor (d. 2012) "William Windom (September 28, 1923 – August 16, 2012) was an American actor. He was known as a character actor of the stage and screen. He is well known for his recurring role as Dr. Seth Hazlitt alongside Angela Lansbury in the CBS mystery series Murder, She Wrote. Windom made his television debut..."

28th September 1823 🗓️ : Birth - Alexandre Cabanel Alexandre Cabanel, French painter and educator (d. 1889) "Alexandre Cabanel (French: [kabanɛl]; 28 September 1823 – 23 January 1889) was a French painter. He painted historical, classical and religious subjects in the academic style. He was also well known as a portrait painter. According to Diccionario Enciclopedico Salvat, Cabanel is the best..."

Image by Alexandre Cabanel

28th September 🗓️ : Holiday - Teachers' Day (Taiwan and Chinese-Filipino schools in the Philippines), ceremonies dedicated to Confucius are also observed. "Teacher’s Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community tone in education. This is the primary reason why countries celebrate this day on different dates, unlike many..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by Kiran891

[newmusicradionetwork]

Coolio’s Estate Releases Posthumous New Single “A Star Is Born”

Coolio’s estate in partnership with 1 Pic Entertainment and Strategic Media Entertainment/Intercept Music has officially released the second single to the posthumous album LONG LIVE COOLIO across streaming services today. Titled “A Star Is Born,” the new single features vocal contributions from Treach of Naughty by Nature, MC Shan, and Coolio’s longtime producer and collaborator, DJ  Wino. “It takes time for a star to develop and shine. Coolio was known for his hairstyle and rhymes, Coolio’s star will continue to shine until the end of time.” – DJ Wino With its blissful West Coast-inspired production, “A Star Is Born” details Coolio’s rise to stardom. Nestled with the single release is the Ken Francis and Niknotti directed music video featuring appearances from Treach, MC Shan and DJ Wino, mixed with behind-the-scenes photos and videos commemorating the late rapper’s legacy. “Coolio’s music transcends time and space, his unique style and sound has left an indelible mark on hip-hop. He’s a true pioneer and a legend in his own right.” – Treach Artis Leon Ivey Jr. known professionally as Coolio, was an American rapper. First rising to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle, Coolio achieved mainstream success as a solo artist in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta’s Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). He is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award–winning hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise“, as well as other singles “Fantastic Voyage” (1994), “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and “C U When U Get There” (1997). From 1996 on, Coolio released albums independently, and provided the opening track “Aw, Here It Goes!” for the 1996 Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel. He created the web series Cookin’ with Coolio and released a cookbook. Take a listen to Coolio’s newest release, “A Star Is Born’” featuring Treach, MC Shan and DJ Wino across streaming services today here. Fans can watch the official music video on Coolio’s VEVO channel here. Read the full article

[newmusicweekly]

Coolio's Estate Releases Posthumous New Single "A Star Is Born"

Coolio’s estate in partnership with 1 Pic Entertainment and Strategic Media Entertainment/Intercept Music has officially released the second single to the posthumous album LONG LIVE COOLIO across streaming services today. Titled “A Star Is Born,” the new single features vocal contributions from Treach of Naughty by Nature, MC Shan, and Coolio’s longtime producer and collaborator, DJ  Wino.  “It takes time for a star to develop and shine. Coolio was known for his hairstyle and rhymes, Coolio’s star will continue to shine until the end of time.” - DJ Wino With its blissful West Coast-inspired production, “A Star Is Born” details Coolio’s rise to stardom. Nestled with the single release is the Ken Francis and Niknotti directed music video featuring appearances from Treach, MC Shan and DJ Wino, mixed with behind-the-scenes photos and videos commemorating the late rapper’s legacy.  “Coolio's music transcends time and space, his unique style and sound has left an indelible mark on hip-hop. He's a true pioneer and a legend in his own right.” - Treach Artis Leon Ivey Jr. known professionally as Coolio, was an American rapper. First rising to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle, Coolio achieved mainstream success as a solo artist in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). Read the full article

[manshprajapati]

From Gangsta to Gourmet: The Evolution of Coolio

"From Gangsta to Gourmet: The Evolution of Coolio" is a fascinating story of a rapper's journey from the streets to the kitchen. Coolio is a Grammy award-winning artist who rose to fame in the 90s with his hit songs "Gangsta's Paradise" and "Fantastic Voyage". However, after years of struggling with addiction and personal demons, he decided to change his life around and pursue his passion for cooking.

In this story, we will explore how Coolio went from being a gangsta rapper to a gourmet chef, and how he uses his music and culinary skills to inspire others. We will also delve into his personal life, including his struggles with addiction and his efforts to overcome them. Join us as we discover the evolution of Coolio and how he continues to reinvent himself, inspiring others along the way.

Coolio's discography

Coolio is an American rapper, actor, and chef who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. He has released several albums throughout his career, each showcasing his unique style and flow. Here is a look at Coolio's discography:

It Takes a Thief (1994) - Coolio's debut album, which features the hit singles "Fantastic Voyage" and "County Line."

Gangsta's Paradise (1995) - Coolio's most successful album, which features the hit single and title track "Gangsta's Paradise." The album won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance and was certified triple platinum.

My Soul (1997) - Coolio's third album, which features the hit singles "C U When U Get There" and "Ooh La La."

Coolio.com (2001) - Coolio's fourth album, which features the hit single "Ghetto Square Dance."

El Cool Magnifico (2002) - Coolio's fifth album, which features the hit single "Make My Day."

The Return of the Gangsta (2006) - Coolio's sixth album, which features the hit single "Gangsta Walk."

Steal Hear (2008) - Coolio's seventh album, which features collaborations with a variety of artists, including J.T. Taylor, Faith Evans, and Snoop Dogg.

From the Bottom 2 the Top (2009) - Coolio's eighth album, which features collaborations with a variety of artists, including WC, E-40, and Ras Kass.

Cookin' with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price (2009) - Coolio's first cookbook, which features recipes for inexpensive yet delicious meals.

Coolio's influence on hip hop

Coolio is a highly influential figure in the world of hip-hop. His unique style, flow, and subject matter have inspired many other artists and have had a lasting impact on the genre. Here are some of the ways that Coolio has influenced hip-hop:

Bringing social issues to the forefront - Coolio's music often dealt with important social issues, such as poverty, crime, and inequality. His hit single "Gangsta's Paradise" brought these issues to the mainstream and sparked conversations about the realities of life in inner-city neighborhoods.

Mixing genres - Coolio was known for blending hip-hop with other genres, such as funk, soul, and rock. This experimentation helped to push the boundaries of what was considered hip-hop music and opened up new possibilities for future artists.

Innovating with samples - Coolio was also known for his innovative use of samples in his music. He frequently sampled classic soul and funk tracks, but also incorporated sounds from other genres, such as reggae and jazz. This helped to create a unique sound that set him apart from other artists.

Setting trends with fashion - Coolio's unique fashion sense, which often included brightly colored clothes, hats, and jewelry, set trends in the hip-hop community and beyond. His bold style helped to redefine what was considered fashionable in the 1990s and influenced many other artists in the years that followed.

Get to know Coolio

Coolio is an American rapper, actor, and chef who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. He was born on August 1, 1963, in Compton, California, as Artis Leon Ivey Jr. He began his career in music in the late 1980s, performing in local clubs and releasing several independent singles. He gained national recognition with his debut album, "It Takes a Thief," which was released in 1994 and featured the hit single "Fantastic Voyage."

Coolio's biggest success came in 1995 with the release of his album "Gangsta's Paradise," which featured the hit single of the same name. The song became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries and winning a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. The success of "Gangsta's Paradise" helped to make Coolio one of the most popular rappers of the 1990s.

In addition to his music career, Coolio has also appeared in several movies and television shows. He has had roles in films such as "Batman & Robin," "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn," and "Dracula 3000," as well as television shows like "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" and "Celebrity Big Brother."

In recent years, Coolio has also become known for his cooking skills. He has released a cookbook, "Cookin' with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price," which features recipes for inexpensive yet delicious meals. He has also appeared on several cooking shows, including "Celebrity Cook-Off" and "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off."

Coolio is known for his unique style and flow, as well as his ability to address important social issues in his music. He continues to perform and record music today, and remains an important figure in the history of hip-hop.

[skillstopallmedia]

Fentanyl implicated in rapper Coolio's death

American rapper Coolio has died at the age of 59 following his use of fentanyl, his manager Jarel “Jarez” Posey revealed on Thursday. Posted at 6:17 p.m. The rapper’s family also told US media that “traces of heroin and methamphetamine” were also in his system. Artis Leon Ivey Jr, nicknamed Coolio, died on September 28 following a cardiac arrest. His body was found at a friend’s house. But the…

[factoides-yajan]

Factoide #4068

(#4068) Personas importantes que fallecieron en 2022

3 de Enero: Beatrice Mintz (100) ¿Quien? Pionera de ingeniería genética, la diferenciación celular y el cáncer ¿Cómo falleció? Insuficiencia cardíaca 4 de Enero: Ana Bejarano (61) ¿Quien? vocalista del grupo Mocedades ¿Cómo falleció? grave problema digestivo 5 de Enero: Lawrence Brooks (112) ¿Quien? el veterano más viejo de la 2° guerra mundial y el supercentenario más longevo de su nación (USA). ¿Cómo falleció? fallo multisistémico  8 de Enero: Michael Lang (77) ¿Quien? El co-creador de Woodstock ¿Cómo falleció? Linfoma no hodgkiniano 16 de Febrero: Cristina Calderón Harban (93) ¿Quien?  la última hablante nativa del idioma yagán ¿Cómo falleció? Covid 19 2 de Abril: Leonel Sánchez (85) ¿Quien? "El Gran Leonel" el mejor puntero izquierdo de todos los tiempos de Chile ¿Cómo falleció? causas naturales 30 de Junio: Alex "Technoblade" (23) ¿Quien? popular YouTuber de Minecraft ¿Cómo falleció? Cáncer en fase 4 4 de Julio: Kazuki Takahashi (60) ¿Quien? el autor de Yu-Gi-Oh! ¿Cómo falleció? ahogamiento por ataque de tiburón 8 de Julio: Shinzō Abe (67) ¿Quien? 1° ministro de Japón de diciembre de 2012 hasta septiembre de 2020 ¿Cómo falleció? asesinado 30 de Julio: Nichelle Nichols (89) ¿Quien? la teniente Nyota Upenda Uhura de Star Trek ¿Cómo falleció? Insuficiencia cardíaca 

8 de Agosto: Olivia Newton-John (73) ¿Quien? cantante, actriz y activista británico-australiana. ¿Cómo falleció? Cáncer de mama 30 de agosto: Mijaíl Gorbachov (91) ¿Quien? el último presidente de la Unión Soviética ¿Cómo falleció? Insuficiencia cardíaca

8 de Septiembre: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (96) ¿Quien? Su majestad, la reina Isabel II del Reino Unido ¿Cómo falleció? [Clasificado]

8 de Septiembre: Horacio Cantero Hernández (62) ¿Quien? Marciano Cantero, el cantante de Enanitos verdes ¿Cómo falleció? Insuficiencia Renal

28 de Septiembre: Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (59) ¿Quien? Coolio, autor de Gangsta's Paradise ¿Cómo falleció? Paro cardiorrespiratorio

14 de Octubre: Robbie Coltrane (72) ¿Quien? Actor británico de cine y televisión, Hagrid ¿Cómo falleció? fallo multisistémico 

28 de Octubre: Jerry Lee Lewis (87) ¿Quien? "the killer", un pionero del rock and roll ¿Cómo falleció? Neumonía

19 de Noviembre: Jason David Frank (49) ¿Quien? Actor y artemarcialista, el Power Ranger Verde ¿Cómo falleció? Suicidio

22 de Noviembre: Pablo Milanés (79) ¿Quien? famoso cantautor y músico cubano ¿Cómo falleció? síndrome mielodisplásico

25 de Noviembre: Hector Bonilla (83) ¿Quien? Actor y político mexicano ¿Cómo falleció? Cáncer renal

27 de Diciembre: Joseph Mersa Marley (31) ¿Quien? Jo mersa, hijo de Stephen Marley y nieto de Bob Marley ¿Cómo falleció? Asma

29 de Diciembre: Edson Arantes do Nascimento (82) ¿Quien? Pelé ¿Cómo falleció? Fallo multisistémico a causa de cáncer de colón

31 de Diciembre: Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (95) ¿Quien? El papá Benedicto XVI ¿Cómo falleció? Complicaciones respiratorias

[Publicado originalmente el 31 de Diciembre del 2022]      

[keepingitneutral]

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022)

Ivey known professionally as Coolio, was an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta’s Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997).

He was best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise”, as well as other singles “Fantastic Voyage” (1994), “ 1, 2 ,3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and “C U When U Get There” (1997).  

He provided the opening track “Aw, Here It Goes!” for the 1996 Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel.

From 1996 on, Coolio released albums independently.

He also created a web series titled Cookin’ with Coolio and released a cookbook.

Ivey originally rose to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle alongside WC and his brother, Crazy Toones.

Rest In Peace Coolio, You made a Masterpiece to be remembered.

Coolio - Fantastic Voyage (Official Music Video) [HD]

[todayinhiphophistory]

Today in Hip Hop History:

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. better known as Coolio died September 28, 2022

[moodboardmix]

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022)

Ivey known professionally as Coolio, was an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997).

He was best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", as well as other singles "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), " 1, 2 ,3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (1996), and "C U When U Get There" (1997).  

He provided the opening track "Aw, Here It Goes!" for the 1996 Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel. 

From 1996 on, Coolio released albums independently. 

He also created a web series titled Cookin' with Coolio and released a cookbook. 

Ivey originally rose to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle alongside WC and his brother, Crazy Toones.

Rest In Peace Coolio, You made a Masterpiece to be remembered.

Coolio ft. L.V. “Gangsta's Paradise” on the Howard Stern Show (1995)

[justforbooks]

The rapper Coolio has died at the age of 59 in Los Angeles, his manager has confirmed.

The artist, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr, passed away at a friend’s house, his longtime manager, Jarez Posey, told the Associated Press and other outlets including TMZ, Rolling Stone and Variety.

Coolio is best known for his 1995 single Gangsta’s Paradise, for which he won a Grammy for best solo rap performance. The runaway hit came from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer film Dangerous Minds and sampled Stevie Wonder’s 1976 song Pastime Paradise.

He was nominated for five other Grammys during a career that began in the late 1980s.

His career took off with the 1994 release of his debut album, It Takes a Thief, on Tommy Boy Records. Its opening track, Fantastic Voyage, would reach No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A year later, Gangsta’s Paradise would become a No 1 single, with its haunting opening lyrics: “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death / I take a look at my life and realize there’s nothin’ left / ’cause I’ve been blastin’ and laughin’ so long that / even my mama thinks that my mind is gone.”

Earlier this year, the song hit 1bn views on YouTube. “I want to thank everybody for all the years of love and being there for me,” Coolio said in a video marking the milestone, Billboard reported. “I hope I got you through some good times and got you through some bad times.”

Pfeiffer was among those to pay tribute to the rapper. In a post on Instagram, the actress said: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short … I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear (Gangsta’s Paradise).”

Rapper Ice Cube wrote on Twitter: “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.”

Born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh, Coolio moved to Compton, California, where he went to community college. He worked as a volunteer firefighter and in airport security before devoting himself full-time to hip-hop.

His early work for firefighting crews in the San Jose area was “a way to clean up”, he told the Los Angeles Times in 1994. “In firefighting training was discipline I needed. We ran every day. I wasn’t drinking or smoking or doing the stuff I usually did.”

Coolio would go on to become an actor as well as an award-winning musician, appearing in dozens of films and TV shows throughout his career. Starting with a guest spot as himself on “Martin” (1995), Coolio’s credits include the “Dangerous Minds” TV spinoff (1996), “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1996), “Batman & Robin” (1997), “The Nanny” (1998), “Tyrone” (1999), “Midnight Mass” (1999), “Charmed” (2002), “Star-ving” (2009), “Futurama” (2001, 2010) and “Gravity Falls” (2012).

In recent years, Coolio had appeared on the reality show Big Brother and developed a cooking series, which grew an online following. He made headlines in 2013 for a planned auction of his music rights, including to Gangsta’s Paradise, in order to fund his career as a chef. He also wrote a cookbook and appeared on celebrity cooking shows.

Tributes have been paid to the Grammy award-winning musician. The death of the rapper was confirmed by Sheila Finegan, who represented him at Trinity Artists International, and said in a statement: “We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon.

“Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”

The actor Michelle Pfeiffer, who starred in the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, for which Coolio recorded the multi-award winning hit single Gangsta’s Paradise, said she was “heartbroken” to hear of his death.

Writing on an Instagram post, Pfeiffer said: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short.”

She added: “30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family.”

Ice Cube, a former member of the hip-hop group NWA, said Coolio’s death was “sad news”.

Writing on Twitter, the rapper and actor said: “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio”.

MC Hammer, best known for his hit single U Can’t Touch This, paid tribute by posting a picture of Coolio, describing him as “one of the nicest dudes I’ve known”.

American rapper Snoop Dogg also paid tribute, writing “Gangstas paradise. R I P”, while singer Bret Michaels said: “My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans on the loss of @Coolio. Awesome guy who will be missed.”

The cause of Coolio’s death has not been confirmed, although it is understood that he was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house in Los Angeles.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[ausetkmt]

Published Sept. 29, 2022Updated Sept. 30, 2022

It started in 1995 in a home in Los Angeles’ Hollywood Hills, where two roommates — a music producer and a D.J. — used to compete over who could find the best sample from their record collections.

One day, Paul Stewart, the D.J., conceded that his roommate, the producer Doug Rasheed, had bested him when Rasheed put on a vinyl copy of Stevie Wonder’s 1976 album “Songs in the Key of Life.”

The track that Rasheed played, “Pastime Paradise,” opened with a mournful synth loop that replicated the sound of a string section. The song that it inspired, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” would change both of their lives and catapult an up-and-coming West Coast rapper named Coolio to global stardom.

Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died on Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 59; the cause has not been disclosed. The rapper had a handful of hits before and after “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but nothing in his career would top the popularity and cultural influence of that track, which was featured in the 1995 movie “Dangerous Minds” and went on both to win a Grammy and inspire a Weird Al Yankovic parody.

In recent years, Coolio had commented on the legacy of the song and its long shadow over the rest of his career, calling it, in one interview, both a blessing and curse (“More of a blessing than a curse,” he noted).

“That record: It took him over the top,” Rasheed, the song’s composer and producer, said in an interview on Thursday. “It made him a household name worldwide.”

Coolio’s opening words, which are based on Psalm 23, became one of the most widely remembered verses in ’90s rap: “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life and realize there’s nothin’ left.”

The singer L.V. (born Larry Sanders), who features on the song, had already started collaborating with Rasheed on the track, he said in an interview, when Coolio wrote those lyrics. Listening to the Wonder song in that Hollywood Hills home, it had been L.V.’s idea to turn “Pastime Paradise” into “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

L.V. recorded multiple vocal tracks that Rasheed combined to sound like a large choir singing a haunting refrain, as well as the chorus: “Been spending most their lives living in a gangsta’s paradise.”

Sign up for the Louder Newsletter  Stay on top of the latest in pop and jazz with reviews, interviews, podcasts and more from The New York Times music critics.

The tale of how Coolio first heard the track differs depending on who is telling it. In L.V.’s version, L.V. brought the song, with his recorded vocals, to Coolio on a cassette tape, hoping to persuade him to collaborate on it after another rapper had turned him down. In Coolio’s account, according to a Rolling Stone oral history of the song from 2015, the rapper was visiting the Hollywood Hills home to pick up a check from Stewart, who was his manager, when he heard the track.

“I walked into the studio, and asked Doug, ‘Wow, whose track is that?’” Coolio told Rolling Stone. “Doug said, ‘Oh, it’s something I’m working on.’ I said, ‘Well, it’s mine!’”

Coolio recalled writing his verses in one session, rapping about chasing his dreams and the uncertainty of whether he would live to 24 years old. (He was in his early 30s at the time, but 24 rhymed better, he said in a 2015 radio interview.)

The reinterpreted song still needed to get a green light from Wonder’s camp. But, Rasheed recalled, Wonder was turned off by the profanity and violence expressed in the lyrics. The producer asked Coolio for a rewrite, and the rapper agreed. The other catch: Wonder’s music publishing company would receive three-quarters of the publishing proceeds.

“The terms were a little harsh, but without them approving it there’s no hit,” Stewart, who managed both Coolio and L.V. at the time, said in an interview on Thursday.

Stewart shopped the song around and found a very interested party in MCA Records, which was producing the soundtrack for “Dangerous Minds,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer as a former Marine who becomes a teacher at an underfunded Bay Area high school. (The movie received mixed reviews, with The Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan calling it “stereotypical, predictable and simplified to the point of meaninglessness.”)

The music video, directed by Antoine Fuqua and featuring a severe-looking Pfeiffer staring down Coolio, initially received a pass from MTV, Stewart recalled, until MCA arranged to advertise the video on the channel, generating interest from viewers.

MTV picked it up, and “it was the most phenomenal takeoff of a record that I’ve ever seen,” Stewart said. “Gangsta’s Paradise” spent three weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100 and was named the chart’s No. 1 song at the end of the year. It won the Grammy for best rap solo performance in 1996.

Then came Weird Al.

The musical parody artist and his team approached Coolio to get his blessing to make their own version of the song — “Amish Paradise” — Rasheed said, but the rapper refused. Knowing that legally speaking, Weird Al didn’t need their green light, Rasheed gave them his approval, despite Coolio’s skepticism.

“I think he just didn’t want to be made light of,” Rasheed said. To Coolio, his collaborators explained, “Gangsta’s Paradise” spoke to the real hardships and fears around street life in a way that seemed to resonate with people from different walks of life.

“A lot of people say it saved them from whatever demons they were dealing with, that they listened to the song and it helped them carry on,” Coolio said in the Rolling Stone oral history.

The “Amish Paradise” music video from 1996 opened with Yankovic in a broad-brimmed hat and a thick beard rapping, “As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain.” In place of Coolio’s references to being “raised by the state” and finding protection in “the hood team,” Yankovic rapped about “milkin’ cows” and partying “like it’s 1699.”

Rasheed said that over time, he saw Coolio soften to the parody, viewing it as more homage than mockery. And in later interviews, the rapper said that he had changed his perspective on Yankovic’s song.

“I let that go so long ago,” Coolio told Vice in 2014. “Let me say this: I apologized to Weird Al a long time ago and I was wrong.” He added, “I listened to it a couple years after that and it’s actually funny,” adding an expletive.

In an interview with Newsweek a few months later, Yankovic said he was relieved. “I’m not the kind of guy that has beef with people, because I go out of my way to make sure that people are fine with what I do,” he said. “That was the one little moment in my whole history where there was a problem,” he noted, saying it was “very sweet” of Coolio to have told Vice he had made amends.

While “Amish Paradise” gave Coolio’s song a boost, the track was a smash on its own. L.V. remembered Coolio and his crew touring the world — Japan, France, Australia — and feeling like they were drawing “Michael Jackson-level” crowds that recited the lyrics along with them. Earlier this year, Coolio celebrated the song reaching a billion streams on YouTube.

“He put some magic on that track,” Rasheed said. “His voice, his delivery his cadence — it was something really special.”

[louis9979]