Coolio, rapper of 'Gangsta's Paradise,' dead at 59: Reports

Coolio, a rapper and record producer best known for hits like "Gangsta's Paradise" and "Fantastic Voyage," has died, according to reports. He was 59.

His longtime manager Jarez Posey confirmed the news to Rolling Stone and NBC News Wednesday. He confirmed that Coolio died from a heart attack but did not give an official cause of death.

USA TODAY has reached out to Posey for comment and further details.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1963, Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., later moved to Compton, California, where he was raised. He recorded records in the 1980s, and his career blew up in 1995 with his song "Gangsta's Paradise," which was featured in the Michelle Pfeiffer-led film "Dangerous Minds."

Coolio stated that the song was about life because it's about living, as you're also living in a gangster's paradise. Coolio performed the song on the 1995 "Howard Stern Show".

His 1994 single “Fantastic Voyage” also hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Coolio was nominated for six Grammy Awards and won one for best rap solo performance of "Gangsta's Paradise" 1996. 

He released eight albums, including 1994's It Takes a Thief, 1995's Gangsta's Paradise, 1997's My Soul and 2002's Coolio.com. He also released 2006's The Return of the Gangsta, 2008's Steal Hear and 2009's From the Bottom 2 the Top.

He has also appeared in several TV and film shows, including "Futurama," “Charmed” and "The Nanny."

In a 2016 interview with Uproxx, Coolio reflected on the legacy he wanted to leave.

"I want to be remembered for being a cool person." And being intelligent," he said. "If people don’t remember my music, my cooking, or my film work, it doesn’t matter. I just want people to say ... 'He always tried to educate me. He was always talking about something that would make me a better person. "