Rapper Coolio’s family and manager revealed his cause of death Thursday.
His rep Jarel Posey (Jarez). Confirmed Variety reports that Coolio was killed by fentanyl.
Family members also revealed that heroin and methamphetamine traces were found in the rapper’s system. His asthma and cigarette use also played a role in the rapper’s death.
Coolio was 59 when he died in September 2022. Posey also confirmed that Coolio had died at the age of 59. He was visiting friends when he fell ill. The friend found Coolio lying on his bathroom floor, having taken a longer than normal bathroom break.
TMZ First reported the cause of the rapper’s death, as well as news of his death, which was at first thought to be cardiac arrest.
“We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon. He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly,” Sheila Finegan, his manager at Trinity Artists International, said in a statement to Variety. “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 rapper, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., became most well known for “Gangster’s Paradise,” a hit song on the soundtrack of “Dangerous Minds” (1995) starring Michelle Pfeiffer. He began his career in the 80’s, but the rise of the hit song to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart boosted his popularity. “Gangsta’s Paradise” received Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Rap Solo Performance, which it won in 1996.
Though Weird Al Yankovich parodied the song, titling it “Amish Paradise,” Coolio said he never granted Weird Al the permission to do that.
Other hits for Coolio included “Fantastic Voyage,” “1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New)” and “It’s All the Way Down.”
The rapper also recorded the opening sequence song “Aw, Here It Goes!” for Nickelodeon’s series “Kenan & Kel,” in which he appeared.
The rapper moved from Pennsylvania to Compton in California and joined the Maad Circle hip-hop group in 1991. His debut album “It Takes a Thief” came from Tommy Boy Records.
Coolio was survived by seven children, Jackie, Melan and Christopher.
