Rapper Coolio, Famous For 'Gangsta's Paradise' And More, Dead At 59

LOS ANGELES, CA — Rapper Coolio died suddenly Wednesday at a friend's home in Los Angeles, according to multiple media reports. The artist was 59.

His longtime manager Jarez Posey confirmed his death to The Associated Press. The cause was not immediately clear.

Coolio won a Grammy for best solo rap performance for “Gangsta's Paradise,” the 1995 hit from the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer film “Dangerous Minds” that sampled Stevie Wonder's 1976 song “Pastime Paradise" and was played constantly on MTV.

According to TMZ, Posey said the rapper went to the restroom while visiting a friend and never came out. His friend found him lying on the floor.

Posey said Coolio suffered cardiac arrest and died at the scene, TMZ reported. However, officials have not confirmed Coolio's cause of death.

Coolio's real name was Artis Leon Ivey.

His career lasted decades. Coolio was part of LA's rap scene in the 1980s and achieved worldwide fame in the 1990s when "Gangsta's Paradise" was used in the film "Dangerous Minds." The song earned him a Grammy for best solo rap performance and was nominated for song of the year

In 1994, Coolio released his debut solo album "It Takes A Thief," which reached No. 3 on Billboard's chart.

Famous for his signature hairstyle, high energy and wit, Coolio transitioned easily to reality television on the 2000s when he appeared on "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Ultimate Big Brother."

Born in Pennsylvania but raised in Compton, Coolio sold more than 17 million records during his career, powered largely by the smash "Gangsta's Paradise."

He said in interviews that he started rapping at 15 and knew by 18 it was what he wanted to do with his life, but would go to community college and work as a volunteer firefighter and in airport security before devoting himself full-time to the hip-hop scene.

According to his official website, Coolio's music was also featured in films including "Space Jam," "Clueless," "The Big Payback" and "Half- Baked."

He also wrote the theme song for the Nickelodeon series "Kenan & Kel." During his career, he collected an American Music Award, three MTV Music Video awards, two Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, two Billboard Music and a World Music award.

As an actor portraying himself, he appeared in a variety of films and television shows over the years, including "Martin," "The Nanny" and "Charmed."

His talents as a chef led him to appear on the reality TV show "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off."

In 2009, he released his own cookbook, "Cookin' with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price," dubbing himself a "ghetto gourmet." He also appeared in a web series titled "Cookin' with Coolio."

News of his death Wednesday prompted shock in the rap world.

"RIP Coolio, whose one massive hit overshadowed a formidable run of classic West Coast bangers," tweeted Twitter user Otto Von Biz Markie. "An original member of the Maad Circle & Compton representative – with an undeniable star quality, humor, charisma, and a gift for making street tales mainstream without sanitizing them."

“First CD I ever bought in my life and the most legendary Wing 10 Last Dab these eyes have ever seen RIP Coolio,” Sean Evans from “Hot Ones” tweeted.

Click here for the full TMZ story.

City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report.