West coast hip hop legend, Artis Leon Ivey Jr. popularly known as Coolio has passed away at the age of 59.
The rapper’s death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Jarez, according to TMZ. The outlet reports that paramedics responded to a medical emergency call at the house in Los Angeles at around 4pm. After arriving at the house, they pronounced Coolio dead.
Jarez explained to TMZ that Coolio was at a friend’s home in Los Angeles when he went got up to use the bathroom. After the friend noticed Coolio had not returned within a reasonable time, he began calling out to the rapper, but failed to get a response. The friend then went to the bathroom and found Coolio on the floor.
The police have opened a death investigation but there does not appear to be signs of any foul play.
Though a cause of death has not been announced, Jarez added that the EMTs suspect he died from cardiac arrest.
Coolio began his music career back in the 1980s. However, he rose to fame in 1995 after the release of “Gangsta’s Paradise” which featured in the Michelle Pfeiffer film, “Dangerous Minds”.
The song also got him the 1996 Grammy award for Best Rap Solo Performance.
