COOLIO DEAD AT 59

Coolio, the rapper best known for his hit singles “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage,” has died aged 59.

Coolio’s manager Jarez confirmed the news to TMZ, revealing that he died while he was visiting a friend on Wednesday afternoon (September 28).

Jarez said the Grammy-winner went to the bathroom but never came back. After the friend went to look for him, he discovered the 59-year-old laying on the bathroom floor.

Paramedics arrived on the scene minutes later and pronounced him dead. Jarez said paramedics believe he suffered a cardiac arrest, although no official cause of death has been released.

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., Coolio grew up in Los Angeles and emerged on the rap scene in the 1980s.

His career took off in 1995 with “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which appeared in the film Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 where it remained for three consecutive weeks.

Coolio stayed active touring throughout his career, most recently as part of the I Love The ’90s Tour with Vanilla Ice, Young MC, Kid-N-Play, All 4 One and Tone Lōc. Speaking to Minnesota Daily in 2010, Coolio explained what kept him motivated to get on stage after all these years.

“I love to rap,” he said. “Three of my sons rap, my daughter sings, my nephew raps; my family is real musical. We very creative. We got the creative gene hard. That’s what keeps me going, my family, man. They respect what I do; they like what I do and they’re honest.”

He also discussed how his live show had improved, explaining: “I’m more controlled now, versus back in the day. The best way to describe it is like this energy-gathering dynamo. I suck in the energy from the crowd and right at the point they’re drained, ready to slump over and fall over and pass out, I bring it to a crescendo and shoot it all back at them. And then I’m slumped over and ready to pass out and they’re energized and ready for the next artist or end of the party or whatever.”

Quiet Money Radio sends its condolences to Coolio’s loved ones.

This is a breaking news story. More to come…