Coolio Coolio performs "Gangsta's Paradise" with Falling In Reverse at the 2014 Gibson Brands AP Music Awards at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on July 21, 2014 in Cleveland. (Duane Prokop/Getty Images, File)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
“Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper Coolio died last year due to the effects of fentanyl, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died in September at 59 years old. Few details were immediately available, although TMZ reported that he was found at a friend’s house. In a statement obtained by Rolling Stone, officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department said they tried to resuscitate him for about 45 minutes before he was declared dead.
On Thursday, Coolio’s manager Jarel (Jarez) Posey told Variety and TMZ that family members learned the rapper had died of fentanyl. A report from the medical examiner’s office showed Coolio also had traces of heroin and methamphetamines in his system. Long-time cigarette use and severe asthma also contributed to his death, Posey told TMZ.
Coolio launched his music career in the 1980s and saw success in the following decade, with hits including 1994′s “Fantastic Voyage” and 1996′s “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New).” In 1996, he won a Grammy Award for the song “Gangsta’s Paradise.”
Photos: Coolio through the years 1995: Coolio performs on July 15, 1995, in Chicago. (Paul Natkin/WireImage via Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 1996: Coolio during the 1996 Nickelodeon Big Help at Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Inc. via Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 1997: Coolio, winner of Best International Hip Hop Act, performs at the 1997 MOBO Awards at New Connaught Rooms, London. (JM Enternational/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 1998: Fran Drescher (as Fran Fine) and guest star, Coolio (as Irwin) appeared in "The Nanny" episode "Homie-Work," which aired March 18, 1998. (CBS via Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2001: Musical artist Coolio and young friends attend the premiere of the animated film "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" on December 9, 2001, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2002: Rapper Coolio stands next to songwriter/singer Carol Connors as she holds her cat, N'Lyrics, at the 2002 Pet Spectacular which benefits the Pet Orphans Fund at the Staples Center June 23, 2002, in Los Angeles. (Robert Mora/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2002: Recording artist Coolio (left) and actress Sela Ward attend the International Day of the Child at the Santa Monica Pier on November 10, 2002, in Santa Monica, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2003: Recording artist Coolio attends the 11th annual Diversity Awards held on November 23, 2003, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2004: Singer Coolio during the First Annual Lingerie Bowl, presented by PartyPoker.com, at the Los Angeles Coliseum on February 1 , 2004, in Los Angeles. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For Horizon Productions)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2005: Rapper Coolio and a group of exhibit girls pose for a photograph at the entrance to the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 18, 2005, in Los Angeles. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2006: Singer Coolio arrives at The London Party at the Spencer House on February 18, 2006, in London. (MJ Kim/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2007: Coolio (third from right), Tiziana Rocca and Principe Carlo Giovannelli attend the Tim Burton Golden Lion For Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony in Venice during day 8 of the 64th Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2007, in Venice, Italy. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2008: Rapper Coolio of "Coolio's Rules" performs during day 13 of the NBC Universal 2008 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour held at the Beverly Hilton hotel on July 20, 2008, in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2009: Coolio is evicted from the Big Brother House during the final of Celebrity Big Brother 2009 at Elstree Studios on January 23, 2009, in London. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2010: Coolio (left) poses with Davina McCall as he enters the final Ultimate Big Brother 2010 House at Elstree Studios on August 24, 2010, in Borehamwood, England. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2012: Coolio performs live on stage at The Falls Music and Arts Festival on December 31, 2012, in Lorne, Australia. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2014: Coolio performs "Gangsta's Paradise" with Falling in Reverse at the 2014 Gibson Brands AP Music Awards at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on July 21, 2014, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Duane Prokop/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2015: Rapper Coolio (second left) and Rugrats characters attend 90sFEST Pop Culture and Music Festival on September 12, 2015, in Brooklyn, New York. (Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2016: Actor/comedian Chris Tucker, head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers, rapper Coolio and musician Jarez attend the Coach Woodson Las Vegas Invitational red carpet and pairings party at 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on July 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for PGD Global)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2021: Singer/actor Coolio performs before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the TCU Horned Frogs at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 9, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. (John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Photos: Coolio through the years 2022: Rapper/actor Coolio and his granddaughter Arya Ivey perform at halftime of a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)