Coolio Biography: Age, Death, Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Songs, Albums, Height, Parents

Coolio, full name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was an iconic American rapper, actor, chef, and record producer, best known for his 1995 Grammy-winning hit “Gangsta’s Paradise.”

His music, blending humor with social commentary, reshaped hip-hop in the 1990s, and his ventures into acting and cooking showcased his versatile talents.

Profile

• Full Name: Artis Leon Ivey Jr.
• Stage Name: Coolio
• Born: August 1, 1963
• Died: September 28, 2022 (Age: 59 years old)
• Birthplace: Monessen, Pennsylvania, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Rapper, Actor, Record Producer, Chef
• Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
• Parents: Artis Leon Ivey Sr. (father), Jackie Slater (mother)
• Siblings: Malieek Straughter (brother)
• Spouse: Josefa Salinas (M. 1996 2000), Mimi Ivey (2013–2022)
• Children: Artisha Ivey, Brandi Ivey, Jackie Ivey, Milan Ivey, Darius Ivey, Zhaneand Ivey, Kate Ivey, Shayne Ivey, Grtis Ivey, Artis Ivey III (10 children)
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $500,000 to $1.5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Coolio was born on August 1, 1963, in Monessen, Pennsylvania, to Artis Leon Ivey Sr., a carpenter, and Jackie Slater, a factory worker.

His family relocated to Compton, California, when he was eight, after his parents’ divorce when he was two.

A studious child with asthma, he spent much time reading in the local library, describing himself as a bookworm who read every children’s book, including Judy Blume’s works.

His academic promise waned after being promoted from fifth to seventh grade, facing bullying from older peers.

His mother’s alcoholism and job loss after her divorce from his stepfather further destabilized his home life.

As a teenager, Coolio joined the Baby Crips gang, carrying weapons to school to project a tough image, though he was never fully accepted.

At 17, he was jailed for ten months on larceny charges, possibly due to mistaken identity or taking the fall for a friend.

Career

Coolio began his music career in the late 1980s with the electro hip-hop groups Sound Master Crew and Nu-Skool, recording early singles like “Whatcha Gonna Do?” (1987) and “You’re Gonna Miss Me.”

He joined WC and the Maad Circle in 1991, contributing to their album Ain’t a Damn Thang Changed.

Signed by Tommy Boy Records in 1993, his debut solo album, It Takes a Thief (1994), peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200, with “Fantastic Voyage” reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

His 1995 album Gangsta’s Paradise, featuring the Grammy-winning single “Gangsta’s Paradise” with L.V., topped charts globally and sold over 5 million copies, featured in the film Dangerous Minds.

His third album, My Soul (1997), included the hit “C U When U Get There” but was less successful.

Later albums like Coolio.com (2001), El Cool Magnifico (2002), and The Return of the Gangsta (2006) were released independently after he parted with Tommy Boy.

Coolio’s acting career included roles in Batman & Robin (1997), Tyrone (1999), Leprechaun in the Hood (2000), and Daredevil (2003).

He composed the theme song “Aw, Here It Goes!” for Nickelodeon’s Kenan & Kel and appeared on shows like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996), The Nanny (1998), and Celebrity Big Brother (2009).

He created the reality show Coolio’s Rules (2008) and the web series Cookin’ with Coolio, releasing a bestselling cookbook, Cookin’ with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price (2009).

In 2019, he featured on Versatile’s “Escape Wagon” and their 2021 album Fuck Versatile.

Coolio performed globally, including for UN peacekeeping troops in Bosnia in 2002, until his death in 2022 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.

Awards and Nominations

• Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance (1996) for “Gangsta’s Paradise”
• American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist (1996)
• MTV Video Music Awards (1996): Best Rap Video and Best Video from a Film for “Gangsta’s Paradise”; Best Dance Video for “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)”
• Billboard Music Awards (1994, 1996): Two awards for Gangsta’s Paradise and album
• ASCAP Awards (1996, 1997): Two awards for songwriting
• Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (1996, 1997): Two awards
• World Music Award (1996)
• Playboy Music Poll Winner (1997)

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @coolio
• Facebook Handle: Coolio
• Twitter Handle: @Coolio
• YouTube Channel: CoolioOfficial

Personal Life

Coolio grew up in Compton, California, facing poverty and gang culture after his parents’ divorce.

His mother’s alcoholism and his own struggles with crack cocaine in his teens shaped a challenging youth.

He overcame addiction through rehab and faith, later working as a firefighter in San Jose.

Married to Josefa Salinas from 1996 to 2000, he had ten children—Artisha, Brandi, Jackie, Milan, Darius, Zhaneand, Grtis, Artis III, Kate, and Shayne (twins)—from multiple relationships.

He was in a relationship with Mimi Ivey from 2013 until his death.

In 2013, he was charged with battery for an altercation with a girlfriend.

Coolio was a spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, motivated by his children’s asthma, and advocated for climate change education with Environmental Justice and Climate Change.

Discography

• It Takes a Thief (1994) – Platinum
• Gangsta’s Paradise (1995) – 2x Platinum
• My Soul (1997)
• Coolio.com (2001)
• El Cool Magnifico (2002)
• The Return of the Gangsta (2006)
• Steal Hear (2008)
• From the Bottom 2 the Top (2009)
• Long Live the Thief (posthumous, planned)

Key Singles

• “Fantastic Voyage” (1994)
• “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1995)
• “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996)
• “C U When U Get There” (1997)
• “Aw, Here It Goes!” (Kenan & Kel theme, 1996)

Filmography

• The Parent ‘Hood (1995) – Gangster
• Batman & Robin (1997) – Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow (uncredited)
• Tyrone (1999) – Tyrone
• Leprechaun in the Hood (2000) – Himself
• Daredevil (2003) – Dante Jackson
• Three Days to Vegas (2007) – The Flow
• Coolio’s Rules (2008) – Reality Show Host
• Celebrity Big Brother (2009) – Himself

Net Worth

Coolio’s net worth at the time of his death in 2022 was estimated at $500,000 to $1.5 million USD.

His primary income sources were album sales (over 17 million records globally), with Gangsta’s Paradise alone selling over 6 million copies, and film/TV appearances.