Coolio

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Coolio
Coolio.jpg
Coolio in November 2002 performing for U.S. Army soldiers in Bosnia
Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr.
(1963-08-01)August 1, 1963
Monessen, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.[1]
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • actor
  • chef
Years active 1987–2022[2]
Spouse(s) Josefa Salinas (m. 1996; div. 2000)
Children 6
Musical career
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres
Labels
Website coolioworld.com

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022),[1] known professionally as Coolio, was an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). He was best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", as well as other singles "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (1996), and "C U When U Get There" (1997).

He was also known for having provided the opening track "Aw, Here It Goes!" for the 1996 Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel. Since 1996, Coolio released albums independently and also became a chef and therein created a web series titled Cookin' with Coolio and released a cookbook. Ivey originally rose to fame as a member of the Gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle alongside WC and his brother, Crazy Toones.

Early life

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. was born August 1, 1963 in Monessen, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Compton, California.[4][5][6][7] After attending Compton Community College, he worked in jobs such as volunteer firefighting and security at Los Angeles International Airport, before becoming a rapper.[4][8]

Music career

Coolio recorded his first single in 1987, titled "Whatcha Gonna Do?".[2] He also recorded "What Makes You Dance (Force Groove)" with Nu-Skool in 1988. Coolio made connections in the L.A. rap scene, and in 1991, ended up joining the group WC and the Maad Circle, led by rapper WC. He is a credited co-contributor on the group's debut album Ain't a Damn Thang Changed, including on the single "Dress Code".[9]

Tommy Boy Records and It Takes a Thief

In 1994, Coolio signed to Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album It Takes a Thief. The lead single "Fantastic Voyage" received heavy rotation on MTV and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Fantastic Voyage" would become one of the biggest rap singles of the year. Other minor hits from the album include "County Line" and "I Remember". It Takes a Thief peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200,[10] becoming certified Platinum.[11] The album received praise for bringing a humorous and lighthearted perspective to often violent and profane themes of typical gangsta rap.[4]

Gangsta's Paradise

In 1995, Coolio released "Gangsta's Paradise", featuring R&B singer L.V., for the film Dangerous Minds. It became one of the most successful rap songs of all time, topping on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks. It was the No. 1 single of 1995 in the United States for all genres and was a global hit topping the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand charts. "Gangsta's Paradise" was the second-best-selling single of 1995 in the UK. The song also created a controversy when Coolio claimed that comedy musician "Weird Al" Yankovic had not asked for permission to make his parody of "Gangsta's Paradise", titled "Amish Paradise".[12] At the 1996 Grammy Awards, the song won Coolio a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.[13]

Originally "Gangsta's Paradise" was not meant to be included on one of Coolio's studio albums, but its success led to Coolio not only putting it on his next album but also making it the title track. The title track interpolates the chorus and music of the song "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder, which was recorded nearly 20 years earlier on Wonder's album Songs in the Key of Life. The album Gangsta's Paradise was released in 1995 and was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA and sold more than 2 million copies globally.[14]

The album contains two other major hits in "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" and "Too Hot" with J.T. Taylor of Kool & the Gang doing the chorus.[15] Despite no longer being an official member of the group, Coolio appears on the second WC and the Maad Circle album Curb Servin' on the song "In a Twist".[16] In 1996, Coolio had another top 40 hit with the song "It's All the Way Live (Now)" from the soundtrack to the movie Eddie. He is also 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.[citation needed]

In 2014, the band Falling in Reverse did a cover of "Gangsta's Paradise" for "Punk Goes 90's", with Coolio making a cameo in the music video.[17]

Red Hot Organization and Tommy Boy Records dismissal

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. The CD meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men.[18] That same year, he recorded the music video "Aw, Here It Goes!" for the opening sequence of the Nickelodeon television series Kenan & Kel, which ran for four seasons.

After the success of Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio's next album was expected to be another hit. His third solo album titled My Soul, came out in 1997. Although it contains the major hit "C U When U Get There" and the album went platinum, it failed to reach the success of his previous two albums. Coolio was subsequently dropped from the Tommy Boy Records label. Since then, 2001's Coolio.com, 2003's El Cool Magnifico, 2006's The Return of the Gangsta, and 2008's Steal Hear, 2009's From the Bottom 2 the Top, and 2017's Long Live the Thief have not charted on any Billboard chart. He did have a minor hit in the UK in 2006 with "Gangsta Walk" (featuring Snoop Dogg), which peaked at No. 67 on the UK singles chart. Both of his last albums were produced by Joshua Fenu and Vanni Giorgilli from Subside Records.[citation needed]

While touring with hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse, Coolio received a tattoo as an homage to the group's fanbase, reading "Jugalo Cool" [sic]. He stated that the misspelling was intentional.[19] Coolio performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos.[19]

Coolio is featured on an international collaboration track called 'Fuck the DJ' by UK rapper Blacklisted MC also featuring Bizarre of D12, Adil Omar (from Pakistan), and Uzimon (from Bermuda). The song premiered on music website Noisey from Vice in October 2014.[20]

Television appearance

In 2004, Coolio appeared as a contestant on Comeback - Die große Chance [21] (translated in English as Comeback: The Big Chance), a German talent show featuring artists looking for a comeback. Coolio placed third, after Chris Norman and Benjamin Boyce.[citation needed]

In 2009, Coolio appeared as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother. He later went to appear on Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, where he decided it was best to leave the house after numerous confrontations with Nadia Almada and others in the house. In January 2012, he was one of eight celebrities participating in the Food Network reality television series Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, where he represented the Music Saves Lives Organization.[22] He came in second place with a Zagat score of 23 out of 30, losing to Lou Diamond Phillips. As runner-up, he was awarded $10,000 for his charity.[citation needed] He also guest starred as himself on Sabrina the Teenage Witch.[23]

Coolio is featured on the March 5, 2013, episode of the ABC reality program Wife Swap,[24] but his then-girlfriend left him after the program was taped.[25] On June 30, 2013, he appeared alongside comedian Jenny Eclair and Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden on the UK game show Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, where he came in second. Also on June 30, Coolio voiced a wax figure of himself on Gravity Falls. He also appears on "Homie-Work", a 1998 episode of The Nanny, in which he portrays a nerdy man, a "gift wrapper", transformed by the Jewish nanny into a "Rapper" for Maxwell Sheffield's new rap musical.[26]

In July 2016, Coolio performed on ABC's Greatest Hits.[27]

Coolio guest starred on a 2014 episode of the Adult Swim show Black Jesus titled "Gangsta's Paradise".[28]

Other appearances

In 2019, he appeared on Irish rap group Versatile's track "Escape Wagon". He later featured on their 2021 album, Fuck Versatile, on the track "Coolio Interlude".[29][30]

Philanthropy

Coolio and jazz saxophonist Jarez were enlisted in July 2008 as spokespersons by the group Environmental Justice and Climate Change to educate students at historically black colleges and universities about global warming.[31] Coolio was a spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. He said that he and his children are asthma sufferers. As a child, he was taken to the hospital several times due to asthma complications.[32]

Coolio was the running mate for pornographic actress Cherie DeVille's Democratic presidential run in 2020.[33][34]

Personal life

Coolio had six children.[35] He married Josefa Salinas in 1996, and they divorced in 2000.[36]

Death

While at a friend’s house on September 28, 2022, Coolio was discovered unresponsive on a bathroom floor. First responders pronounced him dead on their arrival. His long-time manager, Jarez Posey, expressed his suspicion that it was due to a heart attack.[37]

Legal issues

In 1998, a court in Böblingen near Stuttgart sentenced Coolio to six months' probation and fined him $17,000 after convicting him of being an accessory to robbery and causing bodily injury.[38][39]

On September 17, 2016, Coolio and members of his crew were arrested for having a loaded firearm inside of a bookbag at Los Angeles International Airport. The bag was flagged by the Transportation Security Administration as the group attempted to pass through a security checkpoint. One of his bodyguards claimed ownership of the bag, but witnesses stated that it belonged to Coolio himself.[40] On October 26, in an L.A. court, he was sentenced to three years of probation and 45 days of community service.[41]

On September 17, 2017, Coolio was denied entry into Singapore upon landing at Changi International Airport. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority declined to comment on the reason for the denial, citing reasons of confidentiality. Coolio had been traveling from Beijing to Singapore to perform at a Formula One concert event.[42]

Discography

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Main article: Coolio discography

Studio albums

Collaboration albums

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Dear God Gerard
The Big Help Himself
1997 Batman & Robin Jonathan Crane[43] Credited as "Banker"
On the Line Lt. Gil Suggs TV Movie
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn Dion Brothers
1999 Judgment Day Luther / 'Lucifer' Video
Tyrone Tyrone / Jerome / Cherone
Midnight Mass Blue Lou
2000 The Convent Officer Starkey
Leprechaun in the Hood Himself Video
Submerged Jeff Cort
Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th Principal (AFKAP) Video
China Strike Force Himself
Dope Case Pending
2001 Perfume T
In Pursuit Carl Wright Video
Get Over It Himself
Gangland Officer Harris
2002 Storm Watch Outlaw
Media Whore Himself
Outlawz: Worldside Himself
2003 The Beat Emcee
Daredevil Dante Jackson Director's cut version
Ravedactyl: Project Evolution Maduzor Short
Stealing Candy Brad Vorman
Red Water Ice TV Movie
Exposed Big Heat
Tapped Out Cool
Sex & the Studio 2 Video
Four Fingers of the Trill Himself
Stupidity Himself
Move Arthur / Ernest /Dre Short
2004 A Wonderful Night in Split Franky
Dracula 3000 187
Gang Warz Dunzio Day
2005 Pterodactyl Capt. Bergen
2006 Grad Night Michael Adkins
Love Hollywood Style Himself
2007 Futurama: Bender's Big Score Kwanzabot (voice) Video
Sound, Verses Fury Himself
Three Days to Vegas The Flow
Don't Tell My Booker!!! Himself
2008 Chinaman's Chance: America's Other Slaves Roger
Sides The Star
2009 The Lost Archives of Quincy Taylor Archpimp Mac McFreddy Short
2012 Two Hundred Thousand Dirty Manny
Inertia Promotional Trailer
2015 Lord of the Freaks Himself
2017 Nina Himself
2018 Vantasic Voyage Himself
United Skates Himself
The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story Himself
2021 Fintech Rap Battle: Monzo VS Starling Himself

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 The Parent 'Hood The Gangster Episode: "Trust a Move"
Martin Himself Episode: "All the Players Came"
1995-96 All That Himself 2 Episodes
1996 Space: Above and Beyond The Bacchus Host Episode: "R & R"
Dangerous Minds Sex Educator Episode: "Pilot"
Sabrina The Teenage Witch Himself Episode: "A Girl and Her Cat"
1996-00 Kenan & Kel Performer: Theme Song TV Series
1998 The Nanny Irwin 2 Episodes
V.I.P. Himself Episode: "Vallery of the Dolls"
1999 Early Edition Julius 'C-Roc' Ruby Episode: "Number One with a Bullet"
Malcolm & Eddie Troy Jensen Episode: "Daddio"
2000 Arli$$ Ernest Episode: "It's Who You Know"
2001 Der Clown Himself Episode: "Stirb langsam"
Fear Factor Himself/Contestant Episode: "First Celebrity Fear Factor"
2001-10 Futurama Kwanzaa-bot (voice) 2 Episodes
2002 Charmed Lazarus Demon Episode: "Marry-Go-Round"
Static Shock Replikon / Marvin Roper (voice) Episode: "Duped"
Holla Himself TV Series
Robbery Homicide Division Greg / G-Down Episode: "Alton Davis Redux"
2003 Make My Day Episode: "Linda Narty"
2005 Joey Himself Episode: "Joey and the Poker"
2008 Cookin' with Coolio Himself TV Series
Coolio's Rules Himself Main Cast
2009 Star-ving Himself Recurring Cast
The Sunday Night Project Himself Episode: "Lily Allen"
2012 Gravity Falls Wax Coolio (voice) Episode: "Headhunters"
2014 American Hustle Life Himself Reality Show
Black Jesus Himself Episode: "Gangsta's Paradise"
2017 Teachers Mr. Wence Episode: "First Day Back"
2021 Let's Be Real Himself Episode: "Episode #1.4"

Awards and nominations

Coolio awards and nominations
Awards and nominations
Award Wins Nominations
American Music Awards
 1 2
Grammy Awards
 1 6
MTV Video Music Awards
 3 6
Totals
Awards won
Nominations 14

Coolio's 1995 song "Gangsta's Paradise" received several awards, including Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards[13] and Best Rap Video and Best Video from a Film at the MTV Video Music Awards. Coolio himself has received several awards, including Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist at the American Music Awards in 1996. At the Grammy Awards in 1997, Coolio received three nominations: Best Rap Album for Gangsta's Paradise, Best Rap Solo Performance for "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)", and Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Stomp". Overall, Coolio has received five awards from fourteen nominations.

American Music Awards

The American Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony created by Dick Clark in 1973. Coolio has received one award from two nominations.[44][45][46]

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
1996 Coolio Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist Won
1997 Coolio Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Nominated

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. Coolio has received one award from six nominations.[44][47][48][49]

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
1995 "Fantastic Voyage" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated
1996 "Gangsta's Paradise" Record of the Year Nominated
Best Rap Solo Performance Won
1997 Gangsta's Paradise Best Rap Album Nominated
"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated
"Stomp" Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated

MTV Video Music Awards

The MTV Video Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony established in 1984 by MTV. Coolio has received three awards from six nominations.[44][50] t

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
1994 "Fantastic Voyage" Best Rap Video Nominated
1996 "Gangsta's Paradise" Best Rap Video Won
Best Video from a Film Won
Viewer's Choice Nominated
"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" Best Dance Video Won
Best Male Video Nominated

References

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External links

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