Rapper Coolio, best known for Gangsta’s Paradise, died on Wednesday, aged 59. He was reportedly at a friend’s house in Los Angeles and is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest, though no official cause of death is known. Tributes poured in from many on social media who grew up hearing the 1995 track that told a tale of self-reflection and redemption while serving as a metaphor for life on the street. 

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MC Hammer, best known for Can’t Touch This, commented “One of the nicest dudes I’ve known”, while mourning Coolio’s loss. He added “Good people. R.I.P. Coolio”. 

Two-time Grammy Award winner, LL Cool J, known for songs like Going Back to Cali, said “Rest in power my brother”, while showing his “Love & Respect”. 

Vanilla Ice, the rapper known for his iconic Ice, Ice, Baby track, tweeted “I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.” 

Flavor Flav, the founding member of the rap group Public Enemy, noted “Coolio was the West Coast Flavor Flav,,, He loved telling everyone that. We was supposed to perform together this Tuesday.” 

Juicy J, the rapper from Memphis, added “Rip coolio the legend”. Other notable names in the music industry like Debbie Harry from Blondie and Poison frontman Bret Michaels, both shared their condolences. 

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The former said, “Rest in power Coolio”, following it with a heart emoticon.

The latter added, “My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends & fans”, speaking of Coolio’s demise. He also shared a picture of them from when the two performed for ABC’s Greatest Hits. The Poison band member continued, “Awesome guy who will be missed.”

Even Weird Al Yankovic, who once had a feud with Coolio over parodying Gangsta’s Paradise as Amish Paradise, posted his tribute, saying “RIP Coolio”. 

He put up a picture of the two hugging.