The Grammy-winning rapper Coolio died aged 59 at 5 PM PT on Wednesday at a friend’s house in Los Angeles, California. The rapper’s long-time manager Jarel Posey confirmed his death and said that the Gangster Paradise rapper had gone to the bathroom and did not come out for a while. On checking, he was found dead.

The Law Enforcement confirmed that paramedics were called for Coolio who declared the singer dead upon arrival. Reports say that drugs or related objects were not found at the scene, and the official cause will be confirmed after conducting an autopsy and toxicology test. 

Also read: Rapper Coolio dead at 59, social media reacts

Coolio’s real name was Artis Leon Ivey Junior and he was born on August 1, 1963. The singer recorded his first single titled Whatcha Gonna in 1988, followed by another with Nu-Skool called What Makes You Dance (Force Groove). 

The rapper married Josefa Salinas in 1996 and the couple had four children, Artisha, Brandi, Jackie, and son Artis. Salinas and Coolio separated in 2000. Apart from the children from his marriage, the rapper had six more children from other relationships – Brandi, Shayne, Kate, Darius, Milan and Zhaneand.

His children from Josefa appeared with him in the TV show Coolio’s Rules. 

Also read: Coolio net worth: How rich was the late rapper?

Since divorcing Coolio, Josefa has gone on to become a radio personality, motivational speaker and an author of the self-help book, 101 Things to Know Before You Date My Daughter, My Best Friend, or Me which was published in 2005. 

His brother Malieek Straughter is an actor who has worked with many big names in the industry such as Spike Lee and Vin Diesel. He has acted in movies like Italian Job, A Man Apart, Friday After Next, and the TV series Prison Break.