Rapper Coolio reportedly died on Wednesday, at the age of 59, at his friend’s house in Los Angeles. While he’s suspected to have succumbed to a cardiac arrest, no official cause has been made known yet. The Compton-based artist shot to fame after Gangsta’s Paradise was released in 1995, but Coolio has had several other notable tracks, and collaborations with other big names in hip hop, like Krazye Bone from Bone thugs n Harmony and B-real of Cypress Hill. 

Here’s a look at some of Coolio’s best songs. 

Gangsta’s Paradise 

Gangsta’s Paradise easily remains Coolio’s most popular track and is featured in the movie Dangerous Minds, which tells the story of a woman who leaves the military to become a teacher but finds it hard to find her footing in an inner-city school. 

Also Read | Leslie Grace shares song she listened to while shooting for Batgirl

The track mixes elements of gospel music and hip-hop and has become a metaphor for street life or life in the hood. It also won Coolio a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. 

C U When U Get There

Released in 1997, this song reached the second spot on the US Billboard Hot 100. Coolio experimented with having a choir in the background to his raps and sent a positive message through the track which appeared on his Nothing to Lose album. 

The Winner

Part of the Space Jam album, this track sends an inspirational message of a man who wins after his struggles. Coolio’s song received due recognition from the American Music Awards, the Grammy Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.

Cruisin’ 

Coolio brought the West Side feels with the track from his album Gangsta’s Paradise. The song captures the mood of cruising with one’s friends and is a reflection of the lowrider culture which was heavily propagated by Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg around the same time. 

Also Read | Rapper Coolio dead at 59, social media reacts

Ooh La La

The track from Coolio’s debut solo album It Takes a Thief, tells the story of a sexual encounter with a woman. The rapper manages to capture a lover’s desire without getting too graphic in the lyrics.