Rapper Coolio, best know for his Grammy Award-Winning single “Gangsta’s Paradise” in 1995 has passed away at the age of 59.
The rapper’s longtime manager, Jarez Posey, confirmed the news revealing that Coolio passed on Wednesday, September 28 in Los Angeles.
“We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon,” a rep for Coolio stated on Wednesday. “He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly. 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.”
According to TMZ, who was first to report the news, Posey said the late musician went to the bathroom at a friend’s house. When he didn’t come out, the friend called his name but he didn’t answer. They then found Coolio on the floor.
The friend called for help, per the outlet, and once responders arrived, Coolio was pronounced dead.
While an official cause of passing has not been released, in a report from Us Weekly Posey said the paramedics believe Coolio went into cardiac arrest, which they suspect is his cause of death.
Coolio released the hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise,” featuring singer L.V., in 1995. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1996 Grammys.
In addition to eight studio albums, he appeared in the reality show Coolio’s Rules on Oxygen in 2008. He also provided the opening track, titled “Aw, Here It Goes!,” for the Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel.
He made additional television appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 and on Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. He also created a web series titled Cookin’ with Coolio and released a cookbook titled Cookin’ with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price.