How Coolio lived life to the fullest until his shock death at the age of 59

Coolio, who is best known for Gangsta's Paradise which was a chart-topper, died Wednesday at the age 59. There were many tributes to the American rapper.

The beloved musician, Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was found unconscious on the bathroom floor at a friend's Los Angeles house around 4pm.

In the weeks before his sudden death, however, the musician was busy doing what was important to him. He took to the stage to entertain crowds at a series of sold-out performances and was also working on new music.

Coolio had made an array of appearances at festivals packed out with partygoers across the summer and was in the middle of his sell-out tour with 90s stars Vanilla Ice and Young MC at the time of his tragic passing.

In the three weeks leading up to his death, he performed at seven packed-out shows in the three weeks and had even more dates in the pipeline, as he was due to continue his I Love The 90s Tour into November.

Just four days before his death, Coolio posted his last ever Instagram post, which documented his final performance on Saturday, where he belted out the 1999 hit Gangsta's Paradise while eager fans cheered along.

At his final show, Coolio was seen dancing across the stage and standing on railings as he once again did not fail to impress fans with his high energy show at The Roundup Music Venue in Boerne, Texas.

He shared his last Instagram post hours after the show. It featured a collage of highlights from his amazing performance.

Coolio, who had a net worth of $1.5million at the time of his death, had also spent the previous weeks travelling around America in the midst of his sell-out tour, which saw him take to the stage at seven shows in three weeks.

He had also toured the US and Europe during the summer and even made a stop at ERA Music Festival in Florida as part his eagerly awaited tour, which would continue until November.

In the final weeks of his life, Coolio took to stage at 24th Street Stage in Virginia Beach on September 4, followed by shows at Denny Sanford Premier Center in South Dakota and The Caverns in Tennessee.

He then travelled around Texas where he impressed fans with a string of shows, including at The Backyard Bar Stage Grill on September 16 and The Barn At Frio Grill on September 23.

Coolio also visited the Eventplex At The Frederick Fairgrounds on September 22, after he had stopped off in Chicago, Illinois, on September 18 to perform for eager crowds at Riot Fest in Douglass Park.

Photographs taken at the festival show the star performing energetically as he took to stage and gave the microphone to fans so they could sing along to his top hits.

He looked great in patterned green shorts with matching jacket and a green polo shirt, as he belted out his favorite tracks at the outdoor event.

His poignant final performance then came at The Roundup Music Venue in Texas on September 24, where he was supported by 90s star Vanilla Ice.

Coolio was set to continue his I Love The 90s Tour, with upcoming performances set to take place at Camelback Ranch in Arizona - with Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, Tone Loc and Young M.C - on September 30, and another show on November 18 at the PPL Center in Pennsylvania.

He did not stop doing what he loved during his final weeks. He also revealed that he had new music in the pipeline. He had previously spoken out about a collaboration with Christy Dignam, the Irish rock band Aslan.

Coolio revealed in July that they were still in the early stages of working on a new song and hadn't even begun writing lyrics as he teased their project.

He told The Irish Examiner that the track was being built right now, and that within four to six weeks, something tangible would be available for us to work with.

"It's likely to be a banger," I would imagine. I don't know if it's going to be dark and deep or if we're going to go clubby and happy — that remains to be seen, I'm more inclined with being dark and deep and still being a banger.'

His hit song Gangsta's Paradise, which he released in 1999, was as popular as ever. It reached an amazing one billion views on YouTube, five years after it was uploaded to the streaming website.

According to Billboard Coolio celebrated the milestone in a video posted to social media in July. He thanked his fans for 'being there for him' and for the 'years' of love.

Marking the occasion, he said: 'Yo, what's up y'all? We just reached one billion. "I want to thank everyone for all the years you have spent being there for and loving me. 

'I hope I got you through some good times and got you through some bad times, cuz he d–n sure got me through some… it's on and it's on and it's on.' 

The track has been streamed over 1 billion times on Spotify since then, and fans have been flocking to the 90s classic after Coolio's tragic death.  

Coolio, a beloved rapper, died on Wednesday at the age 59. Since then, tributes have pour in for the shocking death.

Coolio was found unconscious on the bathroom floor at a friend's Los Angeles house around 4pm. EMTs declared Coolio dead at the scene.

An autopsy is underway to establish the official cause of death - though law enforcement sources shared that 'no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene' and they do not suspect foul play.

According to Jarez, the star's long-time manager, paramedics believed he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Michelle Pfeiffer (Hollywood actress), 64, led the tributes. She shared Gangsta's Paradise's music video with the musician after having worked with him on it. The song was the foundation of her 1995 Dangerous Minds soundtrack.

The track reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks and won Coolio's Grammy award for best solo rap performance in 1996.

Pfeiffer shared Coolio's hit song Gangsta's Paradise's music video. It was part of their 1995 film: "Heartbroken to learn of the passing of @coolio. A life cut too short.

"As some of my readers may know, I was fortunate enough to work alongside him on Dangerous Minds 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant soundtrack song - which I believe was the reason our film had such success.

"I remember him being nothing short of gracious. Even though it's been 30 years, I still get chills every time I hear the song. His family is in my thoughts and prayers. Artis Leon Ivey Jr., Rest in Power.

Pfeiffer shared a May image that she took in 1995, when they were working on Gangsta's Paradise's music video. 

Pfeiffer, who played the role of LouAnne Johnson, a former Marine who is now a teacher in a California rough neighborhood, was the film's star. 

Coolio was the artist behind the hit song and was awarded the Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, two MTV Video Music Awards, Best Rap Video and Best Video From a Film, as well as a Billboard Music Award.

After hearing the sad news, Ice Cube took to Twitter to pay tribute to Coolio. I witnessed firsthand the man's struggle to reach the top of the industry. Rest in Peace. 

Sean Evans shared a photo with Coolio CDs, writing: "First CD I bought in my life and the most legendary Wing 10 Last Dab this eyes have ever seen. RIP Coolio." 

Snoop Dogg made reference to the song in his tribute, writing: "Gangstas paradise." R I P.

He also shared a photo of them on Instagram, posing together on the set for the music video for Gangsta Walk, their collaborative song, which was released in 2006.

Questlove shared a black-and-white picture of the rapper on Instagram and wrote: 'Peaceful Journey brother.

Flava Flav, a New York rapper, lamented Coolio's passing, writing: "Coolio was West Coast Flavor Flav. He loved telling everyone that."

"We were supposed to perform together on Tuesday. My friend, RIP. Rest in Gangsta’s Paradise, my friend.

Gangsta's Paradise was parodied as Amish Paradise by Weird Al Yankovic (US musical comedian), who also paid his respects on social media.

At the time, it was claimed Coolio had not granted him permission to parody. however Coolio stated that they had since made amends in interviews.

Weird Al Yankovic shared a photo of the couple embracing and wrote: "RIP Coolio."

Vanilla Ice, a fellow US rapper, was one of the first to respond to the reports. He said that he was 'freaking it' after hearing the news.

"I'm freaking out, I just heard my friend Coolio died," the rapper Robert Matthew Van Winkle wrote on Twitter.

LL Cool J, a US rapper, wrote his own online tribute: "Rest in Power my brother." @Coolio Love & Respect

Josefa Salinas is Josefa's ex-wife and West Coast legend. Josefa was married to him in 1996. After having four children, the couple split four years later.

His children include six to ten children with multiple women. Grtis Ivey and Brandi Ivey, Milan Ivey and Darius Ivey are his known children. Zhaneand Ivey is Jackie Ivey's daughter. Shayne Ivey and Artisha Ivey are his siblings. 

He was born in Monessen, South-West Pennsylvania. After he graduated from Monessen's steel-making school, he moved to Compton where he began his rap career.

He recorded the singles Watcha Goonna Do and You're Going to Miss Me in late 1980s. He then joined the Maad Circle in 1991.

Three years later, he had his breakthrough moment as a solo artist with the single Fantastic Voyage from his debut album It Takes a Thief.

The song Gangster's Paradise was released by the eccentric singer in 1995. It topped the charts in the US and New Zealand.

The single sold more than six million copies worldwide. It was part of his 17-track, Grammy-nominated, Platinum-selling album.

The singer used religious undertones in the lyrics and said he felt a calling to make the tune, announcing: 'Gangsta's Paradise wanted to be born; it wanted to come to life, and it chose me as the vessel.'

He revealed some of the lines were from Stevie Wonder, who would not allow any cuss words: 'I had a few vulgarities... and he wasn't with that. I changed it. He thought it was amazing after hearing it.'

Pfeiffer reprised her role in the music video. It was directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Later in 1995, a second album with the same title was issued. It was quickly certified twice platinum by The Recording Industry Association of America. The album also contained hit singles 1, 2, 3, 4, (Sumpin' New), and Too Hot. 

 

Variety: Many actors and performers paid tribute to the legendary singer.

Coolio couldn't replicate his musical success and was not able to gain any recognition for the song "I'll CU When U Get There". 

Coolio also collaborated with Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J on the soundtrack to Michael Jordan's family film Space Jam. They teamed up with Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan, Cyprus Hill's B-Real, Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J for the song Hit 'em high.

He achieved a special place in many television viewers' hearts with the memorable theme song – titled Aw Here It Goes – to the children's show Kenan and Kel, along with turns on The Nanny and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

Coolio recorded eight studio albums, ending with 2009's From The Bottom 2 the Top. He continued to work in TV, including appearances in Adult Swim's Black Jesus (2014) and last year's presidential puppet-themed show Let’s Be Real.

He was due to perform in Europe over the next few weeks, with performances in Germany scheduled for October.  

He was convicted in 1998 of being an accessory in robbery and causing bodily harm in Germany.

He was also convicted of carrying a loaded firearm in a bookbag at Los Angeles International Airport 2016 and then denied entry to Singapore at Changi International Airport next year for a non-disclosed motive.

Feeling good: He was also seen looking healthy earlier in April at the airport in Sydney where he generously stopped to take photos with fans, ahead of his concert at Luna Park

He was sentenced for 45 days of community service and prohibited from possessing or owning guns during a three year probation period.

Coolio stated that a mistake had been made outside the courtroom. It was a mistake. I don't condone illegal or legal firearms use. This was handled by the court and my attorneys. I was very concerned. I don't do crime. I don't do anything illegal.

A talented actor, Coolio played in dozens of films and TV shows throughout his career, and had three movies in the works according to his IMDb page: Bobcat Moretti, It Wants Blood 2, and a TV movie Vegas High.

His passion for food led him to become a chef and appeared on web-based cooking instructional shows Coolio’s Rules and Cookin’ with Coolio. He was also a celebrity contestant in the first season Rachael Vs Guy: Celebrity Cook Off.

Coolio has been playing in smaller venues across the United States for the past few years and played a variety of hits from his back catalog. 

Family: Coolio is survived by his six children and ex-wife, Josefa Salinas; Pictured with Salinas and their kids at the World Premiere of 'Space Jam' on November 10, 1996, in Westwood, California

Ex-wife: They were married in 1996. The former couple split four years later; Pictured with Salinas in 1998 in Los Angeles

He is well-known in the UK for his music career and his appearances on Channel 4's reality show Big Brother.

The rapper finished third in the sixth series UK Celebrity Big Brother 2009, losing to Terry Christian, a broadcaster, and Ulrika Jonsson (model and presenter), who won.

Jonsson was also a part of the cast of Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. This was the last series of the show that aired on Channel 4.

PA reported that Jonsson said his death was a shock, but that the pair had shared many laughs together.  

She said that she spent a lot of time with Coolio. She said that he was a misogynist and broke wind a lot. He thought he was a cook, but we had so many laughs.

Tina Malone, actress, also appeared on the show. She paid tribute to the show by tweeting: "RIP COOLIO!" YOU DROVEM NUTS,YOU MADE me laugh! GLORY WE FINISHED! God Bless xx

Hit song: Coolio is perhaps best known for his 'Gangsta's Paradise' hit song on the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer film 'Dangerous Minds'; Still from Dangerous Minds

Looking back: Pfeiffer shared a 1995 photo taken by the two of them while they were working on Gangsta's Paradise's music video.

Coolio walked out of Ultimate Big Brother after a major bust-up with Nadia Almada.

The two spent the night bickering. Tensions escalated when the rapper was caught concealing the transgender star's clothes.

Coolio, after calm down, decided it was time for him to leave. A spokeswoman for the show explained.

On the Channel 4 website, he announced his departure with the following statement: "Following an eventful Morning in the House today, Coolio was called at 13:20 today to the Diary Room to speak to Big Brother.

"Shortly thereafter, in agreement with Big Brother it was decided that Coolio should be expelled from the House. Big Brother broke the news at 14:37 to the shocked housemates. Coolio will be missed, that's for sure.

Investigation: Law enforcement sources shared that 'no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene of Coolio's death' and that 'an autopsy and toxicology test will be used to determine an official cause of death'  (pictured in 2016)