Coolio Died From Fentanyl, Coroner Reveals

BYGabriel Bras Nevares793 Views
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The rapper also had traces of heroin and methamphetamines in his system at the time of his tragic loss.

A coroner recently revealed that the late great Coolio passed away from a substance that has taken far too many lives, both in entertainment and communities at large. Moreover, a spokesperson for the rapper's family, Jarel "Jarez" Posey, told TMZ that they just learned of Coolio's official cause of death. Furthermore, the coroner told his loved ones that he died of fentanyl, and also had methamphetamines and heroin in his system at the time of death. Investigators also concluded that the 59-year-old's severe asthma and decades of cigarette smoking also caused his inability to fight back the effects of fatal drug use.

In addition, Jarez remarked that his seven children will continue to celebrate his legacy and do right by his name. What's more is that they seemed to express to the public how important it is for audiences to know how much they loved him, and how much that was reciprocated. Not only was he a dominant presence on stage, but a positive force on his family. Though he died without a will, these individuals are his "probable beneficiaries" according to reports.

Coolio's Cause Of Death Revealed, His Legacy Lives On

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 10: Rapper Coolio poses for a portrait at the SiriusXM Studios on September 10, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)

The hip-hop world shed a collective tear when news broke of his loss, whether from fellow veterans or a newer generation. In fact, the "Gangsta's Paradise" MC's influence ranged so widely that his colleagues in the acting space also fondly remembered his legacy. For example, Michelle Pfeiffer, Martin Lawrence, and Melissa Joan Hart were among other entertainment titans to pay their respects. When it came to the rappers he influenced, collaborated with, or was inspired by, many of them took to social media and beyond and gave their tributes. These include Snoop Dogg, Flavor Flav, Killer Mike, LL Cool J, Ice-T, Ice Cube, Denzel Curry, Questlove, and many more.

What was perhaps most heartbreaking about messages from fellow MCs was how they remarked that they had a conversation with him just days before, or that they were looking forward to performing alongside him soon. Since his passing, the release of posthumous music points toward his legacy preserving in the public eye. Even if we never hear another new Coolio song, he set his impact in stone for generations to come. Let us know your favorite Coolio memories in the comments and return to HNHH for the latest on the late MC.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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