In Memoriam
Coolio
August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022 · aged 59
Hip-Hop · West Coast Rap
Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known to the world as Coolio, was a pivotal figure who helped bring West Coast hip-hop to the absolute center of global pop culture in the 1990s. Born in Pennsylvania in 1963 and raised in Compton, California, Coolio possessed a gritty but highly accessible delivery. He achieved staggering international success in 1995 with 'Gangsta's Paradise,' the haunting, socially conscious anthem featured in the film 'Dangerous Minds.' Built on a heavy sample of Stevie Wonder's 'Pastime Paradise,' the track became one of the most successful rap songs in history, winning a Grammy and remaining culturally ubiquitous for decades. Unlike many of his hardcore gangsta rap peers, Coolio often injected a distinct sense of humor and funk into his music, perfectly exemplified by his breakthrough hit 'Fantastic Voyage.' He passed away suddenly from a fentanyl and heroin overdose on September 28, 2022, at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy as a true 90s hip-hop icon.
Milestones
Gangsta's Paradise, Fantastic Voyage, 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)
Chart legacy
- 1994: Fantastic Voyage (US #44)
- 1995: Gangsta's Paradise (US #1), Gangsta's Paradise (UK #2), Gangsta's Paradise (DE #3)
- 1996: 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New) (US #23)
- 1997: C U When U Get There (UK #38), C U When U Get There (DE #39)
Also remembered in 2022
- Christine McVie (1943–2022)
- Jerry Lee Lewis (1935–2022)
- Meat Loaf (1947–2022)
- Taylor Hawkins (1972–2022)