Coolio, the ’90s rapper who lit up the music charts with hits like “Gangsta’s Paradise” ,“Fantastic Voyage,” and “C U When You Get There” has died aged 59

The Grammy-winning musician passed away just before 5:00 p.m at a friend’s house in Los Angles on Wed., after resuscitation efforts for approx. 45 mins by Paramedics failed to revive him

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. on Aug. 1, 1963 in Pennsylvania, Coolio later moved and grew up Compton, California

He made the decision to become a firefighter, which allowed him to avoid being involved in the drug scene. thereafter pursuing acting and music.

Starting with “Fantastic Voyage” that put him on the map Coolio was best known for his 1995 single Gangsta’s Paradise, for which he won a Grammy for best solo rap performance in 1996.

He rose to prominence in the song “Gangsta’s Paradise” for the 1995 film “Dangerous Minds,” He was nominated for five other Grammys during a career that began in the late 1980s.

Coolio went on to become an actor and an award-winning musician, appearing in dozens of films and popular television shows. He sold more than 17 million records over his career