American singer Coolio, famous for the hit song of the 90s “Gangsta’s Paradise”, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 59.
The news was announced by the singer’s manager, Jarez Posey.
The musician, who won a Grammy Award, was found unconscious in the toilet of his villa by a friend who had gone to see him.
Coolio, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr. started his career in California in the late 80s, but became famous worldwide only in 95, when he released the hit “Gangsta’s Paradise”, which served as the soundtrack to the film “Dangerous Minds”, with the actress Michelle Pfeiffer .
For the song in question, he won a year later the award for the best ‘solo’ performance in the rap genre.
The song “Gangsta’s Paradise” sold millions of copies worldwide, reaching the top of the charts in 16 countries and becoming a number one Billboard hit in 1995.
It continues to be widely listened to and has just passed 1 billion streams on Spotify.
The singer’s manager clarified for the American media that when the medical teams took the body, they suspected a heart attack.