Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. (born August 1, 1963), better known by the stage name Coolio, is a Grammy Award-winning American rapper and actor. He rose to fame in 1994 with his debut single "Fantastic Voyage", and later in 1995 with the hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", which appeared on the soundtrack for the film Dangerous Minds.
Coolio was born in Compton, California the son of Jackie Slater, a factory worker, and Artis Leon Ivey Sr., a carpenter. His ...
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Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. (born August 1, 1963), better known by the stage name Coolio, is a Grammy Award-winning American rapper and actor. He rose to fame in 1994 with his debut single "Fantastic Voyage", and later in 1995 with the hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", which appeared on the soundtrack for the film Dangerous Minds.
Coolio was born in Compton, California the son of Jackie Slater, a factory worker, and Artis Leon Ivey Sr., a carpenter. His parents divorced. Coolio got into trouble outside home as he spent time with Mona Park Compton Crips gang members, although he was never formally inducted nor accepted into the gang, and therefore was not considered as a member of a gang.
Coolio spent several months in jail for larceny.
Coolio was a regular guest on the Los Angeles radio station KDAY. The beginning of Coolio's musical career was derailed as he began selling crack cocaine. After rehab, Coolio worked various odd jobs, including as a California Conservation Corps member at the...
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