Coolio

 

Born:     August 1, 1963

Birthplace:    Monessen, PA

Died:  September 28, 2022

Zodiac Sign:  Leo

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Artis Leon Ivey Jr. aka Coolio, is an American rapper, actor, chef, and record producer. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). He is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", as well as other singles "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (1996) and "C U When U Get There" (1997). He was also known for rapping the theme song for the mid-to-late 1990s Nickelodeon series Kenan & Kel. Coolio has since gone on to release albums independently and has also become a chef, creating a web series titled Cookin' with Coolio and releasing a cookbook. Ivey originally rose to fame as a member of the Gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle alongside WC and his brother, the late Crazy Toones.

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After attending Compton Community College, he worked various jobs such as volunteer firefighting and security at the Los Angeles International Airport before becoming a rapper.

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Coolio appeared in the 2009 season of the British television show Celebrity Big Brother.

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Coolio also appeared in Celebrity Wife Swap, which aired on March 5, 2013. Source.