Rapper Coolio Dies at Age 59

Coolio has died. Coolio was only 59 years old.

Although a cause of death is not yet known, cardiac arrest is being investigated.

TMZ first broke the news, with his manager noting that he was at a friend’s house Wednesday afternoon and went to the bathroom, but didn’t return. His friend called out to be concerned, but he didn't get a response. He then went in to find Artis Leon Ivey Jr. on the ground. He was declared dead by paramedics upon his arrival.

Coolio’s career began in the ’80s, but he shot to fame in 1995 when his song “Gangsta’s Paradise” was prominently featured in the 1995 film, Dangerous Minds.

Already, tributes to the musician are flooding in.

One fan observed that the huge success of one hit was a distraction from the rest of his career.

Coolio will be missed. His one hit was a huge success that overshadowed a long list of West Coast classics. 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 pic.twitter.com/DEyMqEOJfs

— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) September 29, 2022

Popular talk show host Sean Evans of Hot Ones also paid tribute, noting how the rapper’s music was the first CD he ever purchased.

First CD I ever bought in my life and the most legendary Wing 10 Last Dab these eyes have ever seen RIP Coolio pic.twitter.com/Feu3wwe98S

— Sean Evans (@seanseaevans) September 29, 2022

Another fan pointed out the huge loss this causes to hip-hop.

Hiphop is still young. It’s always sobering when those who pushed the culture forward dies because they’re entirely too young as well. 59 is too young. RIP Coolio

— Who is you, Chiron? (@NotLaja September 29, 2022

Coolio has made numerous guest appearances on television throughout the years, including voice work on shows such as Futurama or Gravity Falls.