10 Facts About Coolio
- He went by the name Leon Ivey Jr. in real life.
- California was where he spent his childhood.
- He was born in 1963 and died in 2022.
- He was a volunteer firefighter and LAX security before becoming a rapper.
- He was found lifeless in a Los Angeles bathroom on September 28, 2022.
- He had 10 kids and 5 grandkids.
- Leon Ivey and Jackie Slater were his parents.
- Malieek Straughter was his brother.
- Josefa Salinas was his wife till 2000.
- He was valued roughly $1.5 million when he died.
Who is Coolio?
Coolio was a well-known American rapper in his day. His real name was Leon Ivey Jr. In the second half of the ’90s, he found popularity as a solo performer in the mainstream. On August 1, 1963, he was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania; he passed away on September 28, 2022, in Los Angeles, California.
Coolio is known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise.” As well as other singles “Fantastic Voyage” etc.
Coolio Early Life
Coolio entered this world on August 1, 1963, in the little Pennsylvania town of Monessen. California is where he spent his formative years. At the age of eight, Coolio and his mother relocated to Compton after his factory worker mother divorced his carpenter father.
During his teenage years, Coolio began his career as a rapper. He was dubbed “Coolio” in honor of the Spanish artist Julio Iglesias. It was while he was visiting his father in San Jose, California, that he was able to kick his crack cocaine habit.
Coolio Education
The rap artist Coolio received his education at Compton Community College. Compton College is a community college that is open to the public and is located in Compton, California.
He got his start in the workforce after high school as a security guard and volunteer firefighter at Los Angeles International Airport.
Coolio Career
In 1987, Coolio made his debut in the music industry by releasing his debut single. That song was titled “Whatcha Gonna Do?” Additionally, in 1988, he collaborated with Nu-Skool to produce a track titled “What Makes You Dance (Force Groove),” which was released. In 1991, he became a member of the groups WC and the Maad Circle after making connections in the Los Angeles rap movement and participating in the scene himself. WC, a well-known and respected rapper, served as the group’s leader.
In 1994, Coolio released his first solo album, titled “It Takes a Thief,” after signing a record deal with Tommy Boy Records. His cameo single, “Fantastic Voyage,” had significant airplay on MTV and reached position No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1995, he released the album “Gangsta Paradise,” which featured L.V, an R&B vocalist. The song was used as the theme song for the film Dangerous Minds. The track went on to become one of the most successful rap singles of all time, and it dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a total of three weeks.
At the 1996 Grammy Awards, Coolio was honored with a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for his work on this song. After its release in 1995, the album was awarded two Platinum certifications by the RIAA and went on to sell more than two million copies in the United States alone.
Coolio Convictions
In 1998, Coolio was found guilty of being an accessory to a robbery and causing physical damage and was sentenced to six months of probation and a fine of seventeen thousand dollars by a court in Boblingen, which is close to Stuttgart.
At Los Angeles International Airport in 2016, Coolio and members of his crew were detained for being in possession of a loaded handgun concealed within a bookbag. He was given a sentence of 45 days of community service and three years of probation after the court found him guilty.
Coolio Death
Coolio was found lifeless on the bathtub floor at his friend’s residence in Los Angeles on September 28, 2022. When he passed away, he had reached the age of 59.
The police have begun an inquiry into his death; however, it is not believed that any foul play was involved in his passing because Coolio’s manager indicated that it appeared that Coolio had suffered from a cardiac attack.
He had a private ceremony before he was cremated, and there was no funeral service for him. After that, some of his ashes were placed in jewelry that will be kept by his family, and the remainder of his remains were placed in an urn.
Coolio Parent
His father, Leon Ivey Sr., and his mother, Jackie Slater, are Coolio’s parents.
Coolio Siblings
The name of Coolio’s sibling was Malieek Straughter.
Coolio Ethnicity
Coolio was born in the United States of America and is of African origin.
Coolio Religion
According to Coolio, he did not practice or believe in any religion. He denied being an atheist by asserting his faith in God’s existence.
Coolio Wife
In 1996, Coolio wed Josefa Salinas, and the couple was legally separated in 2000.
Coolio Children & Grandchildren
Coolio was a father to ten children and a grandfather to five grandchildren.
Coolio Social Media
On Instagram, Coolio’s presence might be found under the handle @coolio.
Coolio Net Worth
His estate was estimated to be worth around $1.5 million at the time of his passing.