Gangsta’s Paradise rapper Coolio, known for iconic hit Gangsta’s Paradise, dies aged 59-Louise Griffin-Entertainment – Metro

Coolio has died at the age of 59 (Picture: Frans Schellekens/Redferns)

Iconic rapper Coolio has died aged 59.

The star – real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr and best known for his worldwide hit Gangsta’s Paradise – died on Wednesday afternoon, his manager told TMZ.

He told the outlet he visited a friend’s house and was found lying on the bathroom floor.

Emergency services were called, but Coolio was pronounced dead at the scene.

His cause of death has not been confirmed, but his manager told the publication that paramedics think he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.

Coolio’s career began in LA in the 1980s, but he would go down in music history with the release of Gangsta’s Paradise in 1995 for the soundtrack of the Michelle Pfeiffer movie Dangerous Minds.

It immediately shot to number one, staying there for three weeks.

Coolio also won a Grammy for the hit and, according to his website, it just surpassed a billion views.

Coolio was also known for songs including Fantastic Voyage, Rollin’ With My Homies, 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New), and Too Hot.

Tributes have poured in for the late star.

Vanilla Ice tweeted: ‘I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.’

Snoop Dogg shared a snap of the two of them together, writing: ‘Gangstas paradise. R. I. P. 🙏🏽🌹 🕊 ♿️🚾. @coolio.’

‘Weird’ Al Yankovic shared a photo of himself hugging the rapper, simply writing: ‘RIP Coolio.’

More to come.

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