Rapper Coolio, who is known for songs like “Gangsta’s Paradise,” died on September 28, 2022, at the age of 59. He was at a friend’s house in Los Angeles at the time. His death was sudden and unexpected.
At the time of his death, paramedics thought he probably died due to cardiac arrest, but a few weeks later, his son, Artis Ivey III, claimed that his father had been suffering from health complications.
Six months after his death, we now know his real cause of death. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, Coolio died from an overdose of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine. In addition, the coroner also mentioned cardiomyopathy unspecified, asthma and recent phencyclidine use as contributing factors.
Jarel (Jarez) Posey, a spokesperson for Coolio’s family, told TMZ that Coolio had smoked cigarettes for decades and also had severe asthma, both of which factored into his sudden death.
TMZ has been told that Coolio’s family has plans to honor his legacy through film, documentaries, and his music. Posey told TMZ that Coolio’s seven children remember their father as a great man.
After learning the news of Coolio’s death, actress Michelle Pfeiffer posted the music video for “Gangsta’s Paradise” on Instagram and wrote a tribute to the late rapper. She shared, “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short.” She mentioned that he won a Grammy for “Gangsta’s Paradise,” and wrote, “I remember him being nothing but gracious.” She added, “30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song.”
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Coolio was born in Pennsylvania but attended Compton Community College in Compton, California, before starting his career as a rapper. “Gangsta’s Paradise” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks, and he won a Grammy for the song in 1996.
Rest in peace.
