Rosario Monachino
Coolio’s cause of death has been confirmed.
The ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper – whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr. – died in September and was found unresponsive on his friend’s bathroom floor.
More than six months after his passing, Coolio’s cause of death has now been confirmed.
Find out more about Coolio’s death below…
Speaking to TMZ, Coolio’s manager, Jerez Posey, has confirmed that the 59-year-old died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.
He adds that the ‘Fantastic Voyage’ rapper’s severe asthma and decades-long use of cigarettes also played a role in his death and impacted his body’s inability to fight back.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner also lists cardiomyopathy as a potential contribution too.
According to the NHS, cardiomyopathy is a term used for diseases of the heart muscle, where the surrounding walls of the heart chambers have become ‘stretched, thickened or stiff’.
This then affects the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body.
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Despite his tragic passing, Posey revealed that Coolio’s children plan on honouring their late father in a documentary and want to continue his legacy.
Before being a full-time musician, Coolio worked as a volunteer firefighter and airport security before pursuing a career in 1987.
However, he reached superstardom with the 1995 hit ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’, which was used for the film Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
It spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.
‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and was the best-selling single of 1995.
It also ranked 98 in Billboard’s Greatest Songs Of All Time.
‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ has also passed a billion streams on Spotify.
Coolio also had a number of other successful hits such as ‘Fantastic Voyage’, ‘Rollin With My Homies’, and ‘Too Hot’.
He also competed in Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, in which he finished in third place.
The rapper had been touring with Vanilla Ice and Young MC, and they had performed in Texas a few nights before his death.
Celebrities from all over the world have paid tribute to Coolio, including Pfeiffer who shared a touching Instagram post.
She penned in the caption: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist Coolio. A life cut entirely too short.
“As some of you may know I was lucky enough to work with him on Dangerous Minds in 1995.
“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. Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr.”
His tour partner Vanilla Ice shared: “I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.”
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Rapper and actor LL Cool J said: “Rest in power my brother. Coolio Love & Respect.”
“This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry,” shared rapper and actor Ice Cube.
Comedian Weird Al Yankovic also paid tribute to Coolio by posting a photo of the pair embracing one another with the caption: “RIP Coolio.”
He famously parodied ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ with ‘Amish Paradise’.
At the time, it was believed that Coolio had not given Yankovic permission to borrow his song.
However, the pair soon made up.
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