Coolio

American rapper (1963–2022)

For the computer hacker also known as Coolio, see Dennis Moran (computer criminal).

Coolio

Coolio in 2002

Background information
Birth name| Artis Leon Ivey Jr.
Born| (1963-08-01)August 1, 1963
Monessen, Pennsylvania
Died| September 28, 2022(2022-09-28) (aged 59)
Los Angeles, California
Genres|

* West Coast hip-hop
* gangsta rap
* pop rap

Occupations|

* Rapper
* songwriter
* record producer
* actor

Years active| 1987–2022[1]
Labels|

* Tommy Boy
* Warner Bros.
* Allied Artists

Formerly of| WC and the Maad Circle

Musical artist

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022),[2] known by his stage name Coolio, was an American rapper. He was best known for his single "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.[3] Other singles included "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (1996), and "C U When U Get There" (1997). He released nine albums, the first three of which achieved mainstream success: It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). Coolio first achieved recognition as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle. Coolio sold 4.8 million albums in the U.S.[4]

He also created the six episode reality television show Coolio's Rules (2008), the web series Cookin' with Coolio, and published a cookbook.

Coolio died on September 28, 2022, at 59 years old, from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.

## Early life

[edit]

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. was born on August 1, 1963, in South Central Los Angeles, California.[a] His mother was a factory worker who divorced his father, who was a carpenter, and they moved to Compton when Ivey was eight years old.[8] Ivey was severely asthmatic and, as a child, he was taken to the hospital several times due to asthma complications. He was a regular visitor to his local library as a boy. He often played board games with his mother.[4] He started rapping as a teenager, earning the nickname Coolio Iglesias due to his slick performances, a takeoff of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias; the nickname was later shortened to Coolio.[9] He was arrested for taking a weapon to school and served prison time for larceny.[3] As Compton went into decline in the 1980s, he became addicted to crack cocaine, but quit drugs after spending time living with his father in San Jose, crediting Christianity for helping him get over his addiction.[4] There, he worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.[4][8] Coolio attended Compton Community College then worked in a volunteer fire department and security at Los Angeles International Airport, before becoming a rapper.[10][11]

## Music career

[edit]

Coolio recorded his first single in 1987, titled "Whatcha Gonna Do?".[1] In 1988, he recorded "What Makes You Dance (Force Groove)" with Nu-Skool. Coolio made connections in the L.A. rap scene, and in 1991, joined the group WC and the Maad Circle, led by rapper WC. He is a credited co-contributor on the group's debut album Ain't a Damn Thang Changed, including on the single "Dress Code".[12]

### Tommy Boy Records and It Takes a Thief

[edit]

In 1994, Coolio signed a recording contract with Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album It Takes a Thief. The lead single "Fantastic Voyage" received heavy rotation on MTV and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the biggest rap singles of the year. Other minor hits from the album include "County Line" and "I Remember". It Takes a Thief peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200,[13] becoming certified Platinum.[14] The album received praise for bringing a humorous and lighthearted perspective to the often violent and profane themes of typical gangsta rap.[10]

### Gangsta's Paradise

[edit]

In 1995, for the film Dangerous Minds, Coolio released "Gangsta's Paradise", featuring R&B singer L.V.. It became one of the most successful rap songs of all time, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. It was the No. 1 single of 1995 in the United States for all genres and was a global hit topping the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand charts. "Gangsta's Paradise" was the second-best-selling single of 1995 in the U.K. The song also created a controversy when Coolio claimed that comedy musician "Weird Al" Yankovic had not asked for permission to make his parody of "Gangsta's Paradise", titled "Amish Paradise".[15] At the 1996 Grammy Awards, the song won Coolio a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.[16]

Originally "Gangsta's Paradise" was not meant to be included in one of Coolio's studio albums, but due to its success, Coolio included it on the album, making it the title track. It interpolates the chorus and music of the song "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder, which was recorded nearly 20 years earlier on Wonder's album Songs in the Key of Life. The album Gangsta's Paradise was released in 1995 and was certified two-times Platinum by the RIAA, selling more than two million copies in the US alone.[17]

The album contains two other major hits in "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" and "Too Hot" with J. T. Taylor of Kool & the Gang doing the chorus.[18] Despite no longer being an official member of the group, Coolio appears on the second WC and the Maad Circle album Curb Servin' on the song "In a Twist".[19] In 1996, Coolio had another top 40 hit with the song "It's All the Way Live (Now)" from the soundtrack to the movie Eddie. He is also featured on the song "Hit 'em High" from the soundtrack to the 1996 film Space Jam with B-Real, Method Man, LL Cool J, and Busta Rhymes.[20]

In 2014, the band Falling in Reverse did a cover of "Gangsta's Paradise" for Punk Goes 90s Vol. 2, with Coolio making a cameo in the music video.[21]

### Red Hot Organization and Tommy Boy Records dismissal

[edit]

In 1996, Coolio appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD America Is Dying Slowly, alongside Biz Markie, Wu-Tang Clan, and Fat Joe, among many other prominent hip-hop artists. The CD meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African-American men.[22] That same year, he recorded the music video "Aw, Here It Goes!" for the opening sequence of the Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel, which ran for four seasons.[23]

Coolio in 2012

Coolio's third solo album, My Soul, came out in 1997. Although it contains the major hit "C U When U Get There" and the album went platinum, it failed to reach the success of his previous two albums. Coolio was subsequently dropped from the Tommy Boy Records label. Since then, 2001's Coolio.com, 2003's El Cool Magnifico, 2006's The Return of the Gangsta, and 2008's Steal Hear, 2009's From the Bottom 2 the Top, and 2017's Long Live the Thief have not charted on any Billboard chart. He did have a minor hit in the UK in 2006 with "Gangsta Walk" (featuring Snoop Dogg).[24]

While touring with hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse, Coolio received a tattoo as a homage to the group's fanbase, reading "Jugalo Cool"  [sic]. He stated that the misspelling was intentional. Coolio performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos.[25]

Coolio is featured on an international collaboration track called "Fuck the DJ" by UK rapper Blacklisted MC, also featuring Bizarre of D12, Adil Omar (from Pakistan), and Uzimon (from Bermuda). The song premiered on music website Noisey from Vice in October 2014.[26]

### Television appearances

[edit]

In 1996, Coolio made a guest appearance as himself on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.[27]

Coolio appeared in a 1998 episode of The Nanny, "Homie-Work", in which he portrays the nerdy Erwin, a "gift wrapper", and is transformed by the nanny into a "Rapper" for Maxwell Sheffield's new rap musical.[28]

Coolio appeared in the 15th episode of the fourth season of Charmed, which aired March 14, 2002. He plays the role of a Lazarus Demon.

In 2002, Coolio appeared as himself in an episode of Blind Date [29]

In 2004, Coolio appeared as a contestant on Comeback – Die große Chance ("Comeback: The Big Chance"), a German talent show featuring artists looking for a comeback.[30][31]

In the television series Futurama, Coolio voiced Kwanzaa-bot, a rapping robot who spreads awareness about Kwanzaa. His first appearance was in the 2001 episode "Tale of Two Santas", his second was in the 2007 TV Movie Bender's Big Score, performing the song "This Trinity's Going to War", and his third and final appearance was in the 2023 episode "I Know What You Did Next Xmas". The latter episode was dedicated to him, as he had recorded his lines for the episode just weeks prior to his death.[32]

In 2009, Coolio appeared as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother 6, which he placed 3rd. He later went to appear on the UK's Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, where he decided it was best to leave the house after numerous confrontations with Nadia Almada and others there.

In January 2012, he was one of eight celebrities participating in the Food Network reality television series Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, where he represented the Music Saves Lives Organization.[33] In June of the same year, Coolio voiced a wax figure of himself on Gravity Falls. par Coolio was featured on the March 5, 2013, episode of the ABC reality program Wife Swap, but his then-girlfriend left him after the program was taped.[34] On June 30, 2013, he appeared alongside comedian Jenny Eclair and Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden on the UK game show Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, where he came in second.

Coolio guest starred on a 2014 episode of the Adult Swim show Black Jesus titled "Gangsta's Paradise".[35]

In July 2016, Coolio performed on ABC's Greatest Hits.[36]

### Other appearances

[edit]

In 2019, Coolio appeared on the Irish rap group Versatile's track "Escape Wagon". He later featured on their 2021 album, Fuck Versatile, on the track "Coolio Interlude".[37][38]

## Personal life

[edit]

Ivey had ten children,[39] one of whom was born to his wife, Josefa Salinas, whom he married in 1996 and divorced in 2000.[40] In March 2022, he told Australia's Today Extra that he had five grandchildren.[39]

In July 2008, Ivey and jazz saxophonist Jarez were enlisted as spokespersons by the group Environmental Justice and Climate Change to educate students at historically black colleges and universities about climate change.[41] Ivey was a spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as his children are asthmatic.[42][43]

He hosted the online cooking show Cookin' with Coolio, an offshoot of his reality show, Coolio's Rules that ran for six episodes in 2008.[44]

Ivey was the running mate for pornographic film actress Cherie DeVille's Democratic presidential run in the 2020 United States presidential election; they ended their campaign in January 2019.[45][46]

### Legal issues

[edit]

In 1998, a court in Böblingen, near Stuttgart, sentenced Ivey to six months probation and fined him $17,000 after convicting him of being an accessory to robbery and causing bodily injury after Ivey and his band members allegedly attempted shoplifting clothing worth $940 and then punched the store owner when he was caught. Ivey alleged that he was promised the clothing for free in exchange for signing autographs.[47][48]

In 2016, Ivey and members of his crew were arrested for having a loaded firearm inside a bag at Los Angeles International Airport. The bag was flagged by the Transportation Security Administration as the group attempted to pass through a security checkpoint. One of his bodyguards claimed ownership of the bag, but Ivey later admitted that he was the owner and was subsequently sentenced to three years of probation and 45 days of community service.[49][50][51]

In 2017, Ivey missed a performance after he was denied entry into Singapore upon landing at Changi International Airport. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority declined to comment on the reason for the denial, citing reasons of confidentiality. Coolio had been traveling from Beijing to Singapore to perform at a Formula One concert event.[52]

### The Evolution of Hip-Hop

[edit]

In 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ivey was working on a new chapter of his life, creating a big budget Las Vegas show entitled 'The Evolution of Hip-Hop'. Ivey brought in his former reputation manager and entrepreneur William Moseley of Kingmaker to partner with in this venture. During the pandemic Ivey brought in a team of the top show writers, choreographers, and others to bring his dream to life while Moseley composed, raised awareness, and secured top talent for residency in Vegas. Moseley and Ivey completed the project in 2022. Ivey died soon after the project was completed. The script, choreography, compositions, outline, and behind the scenes video are to be sent to the Moon in 2026 by Quantum Aerospace and SpaceX, aboard the new SpaceX Starship, as a tribute to Ivey.[53]

## Death

[edit]

On September 28, 2022, Ivey was discovered unresponsive on the bathroom floor at a friend's house in Los Angeles, and was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. He was 59 years old.[6][4] The Los Angeles County Coroner's office announced that Ivey died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, with cardiomyopathy, chronic asthma, and cigarette smoking having played a role in his death.[54][55][56] He was cremated in a private ceremony, with a portion of his ashes encased in jewelry for his family and the rest put into an urn.[57]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Coolio discography

### Studio albums

[edit]

* It Takes a Thief (1994)[58]
* Gangsta's Paradise (1995)[58]
* My Soul (1997)[58]
* Coolio.com (2001)[59]
* El Cool Magnifico (2002)[60]
* The Return of the Gangsta (2006)[60]
* Steal Hear (2008)[61]
* From the Bottom 2 the Top (2009)[59]
* Long Live Coolio (TBA)[62]

## Filmography

[edit]

Coolio in 2007

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

1996  | Phat Beach | Himself  | [63]
The Big Help | Himself  | [64]
Dear God | Gerard  | [65]
1997  | Batman & Robin | Jonathan Crane[66] | Credited as "Banker"
On the Line | Lt. Gil Suggs  | Television film[67]
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn | Dion Brothers  | [68]
1999  | Judgment Day | Luther / 'Lucifer'  | Video[69]
Tyrone | Tyrone / Jerome / Cherone  | [70]
Midnight Mass | Blue Lou  | [71]
2000  | The Convent | Officer Starkey  | [67]
Leprechaun in the Hood | Himself  | Video[72]
Submerged | Jeff Cort  | [67]
Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th | Principal (AFKAP)  | Video[73]
China Strike Force | Himself  | [74]
Dope Case Pending |  | [75]
2001  | Perfume | T  |
In Pursuit | Carl Wright  | Video[76]
Get Over It | Himself  | [76]
Gangland | Officer Harris  |
2002  | Storm Watch | Outlaw  |
Media Whore | Himself  |
Outlawz: Worldwide | Himself  |
2003  | The Beat | Emcee  | [77]
Daredevil | Dante Jackson  | Director's cut version[78]
Ravedactyl: Project Evolution | Maduzor  | Short
Stealing Candy | Brad Vorman  | [67]
Red Water | Ice  | Television film[76]
Exposed | Big Heat  | [79]
Tapped Out | Cool  | [80]
Sex & the Studio 2 |  | Video
Four Fingers of the Trill | Himself  |
Stupidity | Himself  |
Move | Arthur / Ernest / Dre  | Short
2004  | A Wonderful Night in Split | Franky  | [81]
Dracula 3000 | 187  | [82]
Gang Warz | Dunzio Day  | [83]
2005  | Pterodactyl | Capt. Bergen  | [76]
2006  | Grad Night | Michael Adkins  | [84]
Love Hollywood Style | Himself  | [85]
2007  | Futurama: Bender's Big Score | Kwanzaa-bot  | Voice, direct-to-video[86]
Sound, Verses Fury | Himself  |
Three Days to Vegas | The Flow  | [76]
Don't Tell My Booker!!! | Himself  |
2008  | Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves | Roger  | [87]
Sides | The Star  |
2009  | The Lost Archives of Quincy Taylor | Archpimp Mac McFreddy  | Short
2012  | Two Hundred Thousand Dirty | Manny  | [88]
Inertia | Promotional Trailer  |
2015  | Lord of the Freaks | Himself  |
2017  | Nina | Himself  |
2018  | Vantasic Voyage | Himself  |
United Skates | Himself  | [89]
The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story | Himself  | [90]
2021  | Fintech Rap Battle: Monzo VS Starling | Himself  | [91]

### Television

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

1995  | The Parent 'Hood | The Gangster  | Episode: "Trust a Move"[92]
Martin | Himself  | Episode: "All the Players Came"[93]
1995–1996  | All That | Himself  | 2 episodes[94]
1996  | Space: Above and Beyond | The Bacchus Host  | Episode: "R & R"[95]
Dangerous Minds | Sex Educator  | Episode: "Pilot"[93]
Sabrina The Teenage Witch | Himself  | Episode: "A Girl and Her Cat"[27][93]
1996–2000  | Kenan & Kel | Performer: Theme Song  | TV series[23]
1997  | Duckman | Himself  | Voice, episode: "Coolio Runnings"
1998  | Match Game | Himself  | 5 episodes
The Nanny | Irwin  | 2 episodes[93]
V.I.P. | Himself  | Episode: "Vallery of the Dolls"
1999  | Early Edition | Julius 'C-Roc' Ruby  | Episode: "Number One with a Bullet"[93]
Malcolm & Eddie | Troy Jensen  | Episode: "Daddio"[93]
2000  | Arli$$ | Ernest  | Episode: "It's Who You Know"[93]
2001  | Der Clown | Himself  | Episode: "Stirb langsam"
Fear Factor | Himself/Contestant  | Episode: "First Celebrity Fear Factor"[96]
2001–2023  | Futurama | Kwanzaa-bot  | Voice, 4 episodes[97]
2002  | Charmed | Lazarus Demon  | Episode: "Marry-Go-Round"[98]
Static Shock | Marvin Roper / Replikon  | Voice, episode: "Duped"[99]
Blind Date | Himself  | TV series
Holla | Himself  | TV series
Robbery Homicide Division | Greg / G-Down  | Episode: "Alton Davis Redux"
2003  | Make My Day |  | Episode: "Linda Narty"[100]
2005  | Joey | Himself  | Episode: "Joey and the Poker"
2006  | Клуб | Himself  | Season 1, episode 14
2008  | Cookin' with Coolio | Himself  | TV series[44]
Coolio's Rules | Himself  | Main cast[40]
2009  | Star-ving | Himself  | Recurring cast[5]
The Sunday Night Project | Himself  | Episode: "Lily Allen"
2012  | Gravity Falls | Wax Coolio  | Voice, episode: "Headhunters"[100]
2014  | American Hustle Life | Himself  | Reality Show[101]
Black Jesus | Himself  | Episode: "Gangsta's Paradise"[35]
2017  | Teachers | Mr. Wence  | Episode: "First Day Back"[100]
2021  | Let's Be Real | Himself  | Episode: "Episode #1.4"[102]

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Coolio's 1995 song "Gangsta's Paradise", a remake of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" received several awards, including Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards[16] and Best Rap Video and Best Video from a Film at the MTV Video Music Awards. Coolio himself received several awards, including Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist at the American Music Awards in 1996. At the Grammy Awards in 1997, Coolio received three nominations: Best Rap Album for Gangsta's Paradise, Best Rap Solo Performance for "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)", and Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Stomp". Overall, Coolio received five awards from fourteen nominations.

### American Music Awards

[edit]

The American Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony created by Dick Clark in 1973. Coolio received one award from two nominations.[103][104][105]

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

1996 | Coolio | Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist | Won
1997 | Coolio | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | Nominated

### Billboard Awards

[edit]

[106]

Year  | Nominated work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

1995  | "Gangsta's Paradise"  | Single of the Year  | Won

### Grammy Awards

[edit]

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Coolio received one award from six nominations.[103][107][108][109]

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

1995 | "Fantastic Voyage" | Best Rap Solo Performance | Nominated
1996 | "Gangsta's Paradise" | Record of the Year | Nominated
Best Rap Solo Performance | Won
1997 | Gangsta's Paradise | Best Rap Album | Nominated
"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" | Best Rap Solo Performance | Nominated
"Stomp" | Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group | Nominated

* "Stomp" with Luke Cresswell, Fiona Wilkes, Carl Smith, Fraser Morrison, Everett Bradley, Mr. X, Melle Mel, Coolio, Yo-Yo, Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Shaquille O'Neal, Luniz

### MTV Video Music Awards

[edit]

The MTV Video Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony established in 1984 by MTV. Coolio received three awards from six nominations.[103][110]

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

1994 | "Fantastic Voyage" | Best Rap Video | Nominated
1996 | "Gangsta's Paradise" | Best Rap Video | Won
Best Video from a Film | Won
Viewer's Choice | Nominated
"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" | Best Dance Video | Won
Best Male Video | Nominated

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Some sources say Monessen, Pennsylvania.[5][6][7]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Berry, Peter A. (August 1, 2018). "Happy Birthday, Coolio!". XXL Magazine. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
2. ^ "Rapper Coolio Dead at 59". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
3. ^ a b Savage, Mark (September 29, 2022). "How Gangsta's Paradise changed the course of hip-hop". BBC News. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
4. ^ a b c d e Oxenden, McKenna; Medina, Eduardo (September 28, 2022). "Coolio, 'Gangsta's Paradise' Rapper, Dies at 59". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
5. ^ a b Shafer, Ellise (September 29, 2022). "Coolio, Grammy-Winning 'Gangsta's Paradise' Rapper, Dies at 59". Variety. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022.
6. ^ a b Dasrath, Diana; Helsel, Phil (September 28, 2022). "Rapper Coolio dead at 59". NBC News. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
7. ^ "Monessen native Coolio, "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper, dead at 59". CBS News. Associated Press. September 28, 2022. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022.
8. ^ a b Kemp, Mark (December 14, 1995). "Coolio: Paradise Found". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
9. ^ Mason, Peter (September 30, 2022). "Coolio obituary". The Guardian.
10. ^ a b Huey, Steve. "Coolio Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
11. ^ Sweet, Matthew (August 23, 1997). "Golfa's Paradise; Interview: Coolio". The Independent. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
12. ^ "Revisit & Listen to WC And The Maad Circle's 'Ain't A Damn Thang Changed' (1991) | Tribute". Albumism.com. September 15, 2021. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
13. ^ "It Takes a Thief Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
14. ^ "Gold & Platinum – It Takes a Thief". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
15. ^ Johnson, Billy (August 1, 2013). "Coolio Did Not Want Weird Al to Spoof 'Gangsta's Paradise'". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021.
16. ^ a b "Coolio wins rap Grammy – UPI Archives". United Press International. February 28, 1996.
17. ^ Amos Barshad (August 10, 2011). "Nostalgia Fact-Check: How Does Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise Hold Up?". Vulture.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022.
18. ^ Staff, SPIN (September 29, 2022). "Coolio, 'Gangsta's Paradise' Rappers, Dies at 59". Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
19. ^ "WC and the Maad Circle Drop 'Curb Servin': Today in Hip-Hop – XXL". XXL. October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
20. ^ "Space Jam CD getting a major push". The Post-Crescent. November 28, 1996. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022 - via Newspapers.com.
21. ^ Childers, Chad (May 8, 2014). "Falling in Reverse Land Coolio for 'Gangsta's Paradise' Clip". Loudwire. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
22. ^ "20 Years Ago, Coolio, De La Soul, and the Rest of Rap Chipped in to Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness". Vice.com. January 1, 1970. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
23. ^ a b Lawrence, Derek (July 15, 2016). "Kenan and Kel: The story behind America's favorite orange soda-loving best friends". ew.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
24. ^ Patterson, Charmaine; Irvin, Jack (September 1, 2022). "Celebrities React to Death of Rapper Coolio". People. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022.
25. ^ KENNEDY, WILLIAM (September 30, 2022). "THE REAL REASON COOLIO'S JUGGALO TATTOO IS MISSPELLED". Static Media.
26. ^ Millard, Drew (October 29, 2014). "Listen to Blacklisted MC's "Fuck the DJ," Featuring Adil Omar, Coolio, Bizarre, and Uzimon". Vice. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022.
27. ^ a b "Melissa Joan Hart Answers All Our Burning Sabrina the Teenage Witch Questions 25 Years Later". E!. October 10, 2021. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022.
28. ^ "Homie-Work". The Nanny. Season 5. Episode 17. March 18, 1998. CBS.
29. ^ "Pissing in the Wind 🫢🍻 Blind Date Full Episode". YouTube. March 5, 2023.
30. ^ ""Comeback – Die große Chance": Doris Day Meets Grandmaster Flash". PressePortal. December 3, 2004. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
31. ^ "Coolio To Face Off Against International Pop Stars". AllHipHop. January 29, 2004. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022.
32. ^ "Coolio Recorded 'Futurama' Revival Cameo as Kwanzaa-bot Weeks Before Death". Variety. September 30, 2022.
33. ^ "Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off: New Show Premieres This Winter". Food Network. July 29, 2011. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012.
34. ^ Bunting, Sarah D. (March 5, 2013). "'Celebrity Wife Swap' Makes Coolio's Girlfriend Realize She Could Do Better". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018.
35. ^ a b Bienenstock, David (August 7, 2014). "Black Jesus Has Risen: The Gospel According to Aaron McGruder". Vice.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
36. ^ "Watch Greatest Hits TV Show - ABC.com". ABC. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
37. ^ Ransden, Brenna (November 12, 2019). "Versatile Release a New Music Video Featuring Coolio". Hot Press. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
38. ^ "Coolio Interlude". Spotify. May 21, 2021. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022.
39. ^ a b Clark, Meredith (September 30, 2022). "Rapper Coolio revealed he had five grandchildren just months before his death". The Independent. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
40. ^ a b Bentley, Rick (November 3, 2008). "Coolio and his kids put the "real" in reality TV". The Seattle Times.
41. ^ "Rapper Coolio and Jazz Saxophonist Sign On to "Green" Campaign Targeting Black College Campuses" (Press release). GlobeNewswire. July 15, 2008.
42. ^ "Coolio: Rap Ambassador". The Washington Post. December 3, 2001.
43. ^ HELFAND, RAPHAEL (September 28, 2022). "Coolio found dead at 59". The Fader.
44. ^ a b "Straight outta Coolio". Boston.com. November 18, 2009. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019.
45. ^ Mikelionis, Lukas (January 31, 2019). "Porn Star Ends 2020 Presidential Bid After 17 Months, Endorses 'My Love, Bernie'". Fox News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
46. ^ Varga, George (November 15, 2017). "Rapper Coolio and Porn Star Cherie DeVille Plan 2020 White House Run". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
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## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coolio.

Wikiquote has quotations related to Coolio.

* Coolio on Facebook
* Coolio on Instagram
* Coolio at IMDb

* v
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Coolio

Albums|

* It Takes a Thief
* Gangsta's Paradise
* My Soul
* Coolio.com
* El Cool Magnifico
* The Return of the Gangsta
* Steal Hear
* From the Bottom 2 the Top

Compilations|

* Fantastic Voyage: The Greatest Hits

Singles|

* "Fantastic Voyage"
* "Gangsta's Paradise"
* "Too Hot"
* "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)"
* "It's All the Way Live (Now)"
* "Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)"
* "C U When U Get There"
* "Ooh La La"
* "Gangsta Walk"

Related|

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* WC and the Maad Circle
* Cookin' with Coolio
* Coolio's Rules

Awards for Coolio

* v
* t
* e

American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist

Rap/Hip Hop Artist
(1989–2002, 2004, 2006–2019)|

* DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1989)
* MC Hammer (1990)
* MC Hammer (1991)
* MC Hammer (1992)
* Sir Mix-a-Lot (1993)
* Dr. Dre (1994)
* Snoop Dogg (1995)
* Coolio (1996)
* Tupac Shakur (1997)
* Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (1998)
* Master P (1999)
* DMX (2000)
* Dr. Dre (2001)
* Nelly (2002)
* Jay-Z (2004)
* Eminem (2006)
* T.I. (2007)
* Kanye West (2008)
* Jay-Z (2009)
* Eminem (2010)
* Nicki Minaj (2011)
* Nicki Minaj (2012)
* Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (2013)
* Iggy Azalea (2014)
* Nicki Minaj (2015)
* Drake (2016)
* Drake (2017)
* Cardi B (2018)
* Cardi B (2019)

Male Rap/Hip Hop Artist
(2003, 2005, 2020–present)|

* Eminem (2003)
* 50 Cent (2003)
* Eminem (2005)
* Juice Wrld (2020)
* Drake (2021)
* Kendrick Lamar (2022)
* Eminem (2025)

Female Rap/Hip Hop Artist
(2003, 2005, 2020–present)|

* Mary J. Blige (2003)
* Missy Elliott (2003)
* Missy Elliott (2005)
* Nicki Minaj (2020)
* Megan Thee Stallion (2021)
* Nicki Minaj (2022)
* Megan Thee Stallion (2025)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance

1990s|

* "U Can't Touch This" – MC Hammer (1991)
* "Mama Said Knock You Out" – LL Cool J (1992)
* "Baby Got Back" – Sir Mix-a-Lot (1993)
* "Let Me Ride" – Dr. Dre (1994)
* "U.N.I.T.Y." – Queen Latifah (1995)
* "Gangsta's Paradise" – Coolio (1996)
* "Hey Lover" – LL Cool J (1997)
* "Men in Black" – Will Smith (1998)
* "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" – Will Smith (1999)

2000s|

* "My Name Is" – Eminem (2000)
* "The Real Slim Shady" – Eminem (2001)
* "Get Ur Freak On" – Missy Elliott (2002)
* "Scream a.k.a. Itchin'" – Missy Elliott / "Hot in Herre" – Nelly (2003)
* "Work It" – Missy Elliott / "Lose Yourself" – Eminem (2004)
* "99 Problems" – Jay-Z (2005)
* "Gold Digger" – Kanye West (2006)
* "What You Know" – T.I. (2007)
* "Stronger" – Kanye West (2008)
* "A Milli" – Lil Wayne (2009)

2010s|

* "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" – Jay-Z (2010)
* "Not Afraid" – Eminem (2011)

* v
* t
* e

Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Song

1980s|

* "La Bamba" – Los Lobos (1988)
* "Kokomo" – The Beach Boys (1989)

1990s|

* "Hangin' Tough" – New Kids on the Block (1990)
* "Ice Ice Baby" – Vanilla Ice (1991)
* "Jump" – Kris Kross (1992)
* No Award (1993)
* "Whoomp! (There It Is)" – Tag Team (1994)
* "Creep" – TLC (1995)
* "Gangsta's Paradise" – Coolio (1996)
* "Killing Me Softly" – Fugees (1997)
* "MMMBop" – Hanson (1998)
* "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" – Backstreet Boys (1999)

2000s|

* "Wild Wild West" – Will Smith (2000)
* "Who Let the Dogs Out" – Baha Men (2001)
* "Get the Party Started" – P!nk (2002)
* "Sk8er Boi" – Avril Lavigne (2003)
* "Hey Ya!" – Outkast (2004)
* "Burn" – Usher (2005)
* "Wake Me Up When September Ends" – Green Day (2006)
* "Irreplaceable" – Beyoncé (2007)
* "Girlfriend" – Avril Lavigne (2008)
* "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Beyoncé (2009)

2010s|

* "You Belong with Me" – Taylor Swift (2010)
* "Baby" – Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris (2011)
* "Party Rock Anthem" – LMFAO (2012)
* "What Makes You Beautiful" – One Direction (2013)
* "Story of My Life" – One Direction (2014)
* "Bang Bang" – Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj (2015)
* "Hello" – Adele (2016)
* "Work from Home" – Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla $ign (2017)
* "Shape of You" – Ed Sheeran (2018)
* "Thank U, Next" – Ariana Grande (2019)

2020s|

* "Bad Guy" – Billie Eilish (2020)
* "Dynamite" – BTS (2021)
* "Happier Than Ever" – Billie Eilish (2022)
* "As It Was" – Harry Styles (2023)
* "What Was I Made For?" – Billie Eilish (2024)
* "Taste" – Sabrina Carpenter (2025)

* v
* t
* e

MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video

1980s|

* DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince – "Parents Just Don't Understand" (1989)

1990s|

* MC Hammer – "U Can't Touch This" (1990)
* LL Cool J – "Mama Said Knock You Out" (1991)
* Arrested Development – "Tennessee" (1992)
* Arrested Development – "People Everyday" (1993)
* Snoop Doggy Dogg – "Doggy Dogg World" (1994)
* Dr. Dre – "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" (1995)
* Coolio featuring L.V. – "Gangsta's Paradise" (1996)
* The Notorious B.I.G. – "Hypnotize" (1997)
* Will Smith – "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" (1998)
* Jay-Z featuring Ja Rule and Amil – "Can I Get A..." (1999)

2000s|

* Dr. Dre featuring Eminem – "Forgot About Dre" (2000)
* Nelly – "Ride wit Me" (2001)
* Eminem – "Without Me" (2002)
* 50 Cent – "In da Club" (2003)
* Jay-Z – "99 Problems" (2004)
* Ludacris – "Number One Spot" (2005)
* Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone – "Ridin'" (2006)

* v
* t
* e

Billboard Year-End number one singles (1980–1999)

* 1980: "Call Me" – Blondie
* 1981: "Bette Davis Eyes" – Kim Carnes
* 1982: "Physical" – Olivia Newton-John
* 1983: "Every Breath You Take" – The Police
* 1984: "When Doves Cry" – Prince
* 1985: "Careless Whisper" – Wham! featuring George Michael
* 1986: "That's What Friends Are For" – Dionne & Friends
* 1987: "Walk Like an Egyptian" – The Bangles
* 1988: "Faith" – George Michael
* 1989: "Look Away" – Chicago
* 1990: "Hold On" – Wilson Phillips
* 1991: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" – Bryan Adams
* 1992: "End of the Road" – Boyz II Men
* 1993: "I Will Always Love You" – Whitney Houston
* 1994: "The Sign" – Ace of Base
* 1995: "Gangsta's Paradise" – Coolio featuring L.V.
* 1996: "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" – Los del Río
* 1997: "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" – Elton John
* 1998: "Too Close" – Next
* 1999: "Believe" – Cher

* Complete list
* (1946–1959)
* (1960–1979)
* (1980–1999)
* (2000–2019)
* (2020–present)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* 2
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* WorldCat

National|

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* BnF data
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Artists|

* MusicBrainz
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Other|

* IdRef
* Yale LUX

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