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Coolio Biography
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Coolio (born Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. on August 1, 1963 in Compton, California) is an American rapper and actor perhaps best known for the 1995 chart topping hit song "Gangsta's Paradise." His G-Funk sounding beats and funky flow makes listening very pleasant. Coolio has also had numerous run ins with the law, and made numerous television and some film appearances. Coolio started his career as a member of the rap group, WC and the Maad Circle, which included WC, Sir Jinx and DJ Crazy Toones. The group released two albums, "Ain't a Damn Thang Changed" in 1991 and Curb Servin' in 1995.
The group disbanded shortly after the release of Curb Servin'. In 1994, Coolio released his debut album "It Takes a Thief" which featured the hugely successful singles, "Fantastic Voyage" and "It Takes a Thief". In 1995 Coolio released his second and most successful album "Gangsta's Paradise", which went 4X Platinum and featured the mega hit, 'Gangsta's Paradise" and the popular party track, "Sumpin New'. The album 'Gangsta's Paradise" is considered by some to be a classic west coast Gangsta rap album, thanks to songs like "Exercise Yo Game" and "Geto Highlites." His G-Funk sounding beats and soulful flow softens the typically edgy effect of rap.His hit song "Gangsta's Paradise" combined singing with rap. Coolio's recordings also appeared on the soundtracks to Clueless (1995) and Dangerous Minds (1995).
However, Coolio's next few albums, 1997's "My Soul", 2002's "El Cool Magnifico" and 2006's "Return of the Gangsta", failed to live up to the success of his first two albums.
In 2005 he co-hosted the MOBO awards in the UK. The MOBO (an acronym for Music Of Black Origin) Awards, established in 1996 by Kanya King, are held annually in the UK to recognize artists of any race or nationality performing music of black origin. Coolio is a former Crip member. Coolio is also associated with Snoop Dogg and got the name 'Coolio' after friends called him Coolio Iglesias because he played guitar. In high school, his nickname was 'Boo'.
In 2009 he released the album. "From The Bottom 2 The Top", and was arrested for 'crack" cocaine possession before boarding a flight to Phoenix for a club engagement. He made bail, and still made the show that night. He also took part in the reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother" in the UK, in which he placed third.
Last updated:
25 Sep 2009 |
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