Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, LL Cool J & More Pay Homage To Coolio

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2022 Parlor Games Celebrity Basketball Classic
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 30: Rapper Coolio attends the 2022 Parlor Games Celebrity Basketball Classic at the Cox Pavilion on April 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
Michelle Pfeiffer, Killer Mike, Ice-T, and more paid tribute to Coolio.

Hip-hop is mourning the loss of Coolio, who died at 59 on Wednesday.

Coolio's manager, Jarez Posey, confirmed that rapper's passing shortly after the news broke. Posey explained a friend found the "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper in the bathroom of at a house in Los Angeles before an ambulance was called.

398150 16: Rapper Coolio performs at the taping of a public greeting for U.S. troops overseas December 5, 2001 in Los Angeles, CA. Coolio will play the holiday greeting at his upcoming concerts for armed forces. (Photo by Sebastian Artz/Getty Images)

Authorities suspect that he suffered a heart attack. Police launched a death investigation but they said there isn't evidence leading them to believe in the involvement of foul play.

Coolio's talent manager, Sheila Finegan, issued a statement following his death. "We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away Wednesday afternoon," Finegan said. "He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly. Please have Coolio's loved ones in your thoughts and prayers."

Coolio blew up on the West Coast with the release of 1995's "Gangsta's Paradise," though he'd built a reputation throughout California during his come-up. He locked in records with Ice Cube and Tupac before his break-out hit record, which landed in Michelle Pfeiffer's 1995 film Dangerous Minds.

Pfeiffer was among those who shared tributes on their timeline following his death. The acclaimed actress described him as "nothing but gracious. She added "Gangsta's Paradise" Grammy award-winning status was equally important in propelling the film's success.

"Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short," she wrote on Instagram. "I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family."

Aside from Pfeiffer, fellow hip-hop legends paid tribute to him. Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, MC Hammer, and more. Ice Cube, who worked alongside Coolio on "Colorblind" off of Death Certificate, reflected on Coolio's rise.

"This is sad news. I witness first hand this man's grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio," he wrote on Instagram.

Ice-T wrote, "Holly S--t!!! I was just talking to him 2 weeks ago! He was performing in Europe… This is so Fd up…"

Ahead of his success in the mid 90s, Coolio was formerly a WC and The Maad Circle member before inking a deal. In the subsequent years, he inked a deal with Tommy Boy Records where he released, It Takes A Thief.

RIP Coolio.

About The Author
Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.
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