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'A gifted artist': Snoop Dogg and Michelle Pfeiffer among celebrities paying tributes to rapper Coolio

Rapper Coolio, known for the iconic hit 'Gangsta's Paradise', died at 59 recently

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rapper Coolio, known for the iconic hit 'Gangsta's Paradise', has died aged 59. His longtime manager Jarez Posey reportedly said the popular rapper was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend's house in Los Angeles. His cause of death has not been disclosed, but Posey said paramedics believe he may have had a cardiac arrest, TMZ reported. 

The '90s Grammy-winning rapper was visiting a friend late on Wednesday afternoon, September 28, when he was reportedly found by paramedics in the bathroom after they were called in for an emergency medical evaluation. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene. 

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Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, started making music in the 1980s. Eventually rising to fame. He won a Grammy for 'Gangsta's Paradise', which was part of the soundtrack for the movie 'Dangerous Minds', starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The popular track continues to be widely listened to. Coolio recorded eight studio albums and won an American Music Award and three MTV Video Music Awards over a career spanning four decades.

Several celebrities took to social media to pay tributes to Coolio. "Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short. As some of you may know I was lucky enough to work with him on Dangerous Minds in 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack - which I think was the reason our film saw so much success. I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr.," Michelle Pfeiffer wrote on Instagram. Rapper Ice Cube wrote, "This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio." "Rest In Peace Coolio! A true legend and nice man. My heart goes out to your family and friends. So glad we got to hang and have some laughs," wrote author Rob Schneider.

"Gangstas paradise. R. I. P.," rapper Snoop Dogg wrote on Instagram. Former UCLA player Josiah Johnson wrote, "The Fantastic Voyage open is one of the most legendary in music video history. We all knew that feeling of not having a ride to the turn up. RIP Coolio." DJ Declan Pierce wrote, "Coolio down down at the flats in Ringsend in 2019. What a legend. #RipCoolio".