Coolio

Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known professionally as Coolio, was a prominent American rapper and actor who became one of the most recognizable figures in hip-hop during the mid-1990s. Born on August 1, 1963, and passing away on September 28, 2022, he bridged the gap between the gritty sounds of West Coast gangsta rap and mainstream pop appeal.

Coolio began his musical journey in the Los Angeles rap scene. Before finding solo stardom, he was a member of the group WC and the Maad Circle, contributing to their 1991 debut album, Ain't a Damn Thing Changed. This period helped establish his reputation in the California scene before he signed with Tommy Boy Records to launch his career as a solo artist.