Artist Leon Ivey Jr, better known as rapper Coolio, passed away suddenly on Wednesday night. He was 59 years old.
While it’s still too soon for an official cause of death to be established, paramedics who arrived on the scene and found him unconscious tried to revive him for up to 45 minutes before they ultimately pronounced him dead at the scene.
EMTs Tried To Revive Coolio ‘Before Concluding It Was Futile’
MEGA
Many fans were shocked to hear that the “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper had passed away suddenly on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. The rapper had reportedly been visiting a friend who found him unresponsive on the floor of his bathroom in his Los Angeles home.
Coolio’s manager, Jarez Posey, confirmed that Coolio had been visiting a friend on the day he passed away. That friend called paramedics around 4 PM local time immediately after finding Coolio unresponsive on the bathroom floor.
EMTs reportedly found no signs of life when they arrived, but started to perform CPR anyway. Sources told TMZ that paramedics continued to perform CPR on the rapper “for 3/4 of an hour before concluding it was futile.”
MEGA
At this time, it is suspected that he died of cardiac arrest, but it is still too soon for an official cause of death to be established. Law enforcement officials reportedly did not find any drugs or drug paraphernalia in the bathroom before his passing.
Coolio became a household name in 1995 after the release of “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which was featured in the film “Danger Minds.” The following year, the hit single won him a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Coolio continued to perform up until his death. Just a few days ago, he posted a video of his recent performance in Texas on Instagram.
Many fans, famous friends, and other musicians took to social media on Wednesday night and Thursday morning to pay their respects to the legendary rapper, who inspired many of their own careers.
Fans & Famous Friends Pay Tribute To The Legendary Rapper
This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio https://t.co/vCeyn08Vsi
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 29, 2022
Ice Cube retweeted the news of his passing, adding, “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.”
I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.
— Vanilla Ice (@vanillaice) September 29, 2022
Vanilla Ice, who toured with Coolio last year, tweeted, “I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.”
RIP Coolio pic.twitter.com/Z53f3n6HDU
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) September 29, 2022
Weird Al Yankovic also tweeted out his condolences alongside a photo of the two together.
Peaceful Journey Brother. #Coolio https://t.co/59sMVmQsU7
— Dr. Love (@questlove) September 29, 2022
Questlove tweeted, “Peaceful Journey Brother.”
My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the family of @Coolio 🙏🏾 #rip pic.twitter.com/vH68qVolRy
— Martin Lawrence (@realmartymar) September 29, 2022
“Bad Boys” actor Martin Lawrence tweeted, “My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the family of @Coolio 🙏🏾 #rip.”