1. Coolio was best known for his single "Gangsta's Paradise", which won a Grammy Award, and was credited for changing the course of hip hop by bringing it to a wider audience.
23 Facts About Coolio
1. 2.
Coolio released nine albums, the first three of which achieved mainstream success: It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul.
3.
Coolio first achieved recognition as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle.
4.
Coolio died on September 28,2022, at 59 years old, from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.
5.
Coolio's mother was a factory worker who divorced his father, who was a carpenter, and they moved to Compton, California when Ivey was eight years old.
6.
Coolio was a regular visitor to his local library as a boy.
7.
Coolio was arrested for taking a weapon to school and served prison time for larceny.
8.
Coolio attended Compton Community College then worked in a volunteer fire department and security at Los Angeles International Airport, before becoming a rapper.
9.
Coolio is a credited co-contributor on the group's debut album Ain't a Damn Thang Changed, including on the single "Dress Code".
10.
In 1994, Coolio signed a recording contract with Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album It Takes a Thief.
11.
In 1996, Coolio had another top 40 hit with the song "It's All the Way Live " from the soundtrack to the movie Eddie.
12.
Coolio is 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.
13.
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.
14.
Coolio was dropped from the Tommy Boy Records label.
15.
Coolio did have a minor hit in the UK in 2006 with "Gangsta Walk".
16.
In 1996, Coolio made a guest appearance as himself on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
17.
Coolio appeared in the 15th episode of the fourth season of Charmed, which aired the 14th of march, 2002.
18.
In 2009, Coolio appeared as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother 6, which he placed 3rd.
19.
Coolio 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.
20.
Coolio guest starred on a 2014 episode of the Adult Swim show Black Jesus titled "Gangsta's Paradise".
21.
In 2019, Coolio appeared on the Irish rap group Versatile's track "Escape Wagon".
22.
Coolio had been traveling from Beijing to Singapore to perform at a Formula One concert event.
23.
Coolio 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.