Law enforcement officials have reportedly indicated that no drugs were found at the scene where rapper Coolio was found dead Wednesday afternoon.
TMZ reported that the rapper, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died while visiting a friend. He reportedly went to use the bathroom at his friend’s house and did not come back for a while, prompting the friend to go looking for him. The friend found him lying on the floor, at which point he called for help.
The rapper was pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that they opened a death investigation but no foul play was suspected and no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene.
Authorities said that an autopsy and toxicology test would be needed to determine a cause of death, although initial indications pointed to possible cardiac arrest.
“We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon,” Coolio’s talent manager, Sheila Finegan, said in a statement to The Los Angeles Times. “He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly.
“Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing,” she added. “Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
Coolio’s death shocked fans as he had recently played in the 2022 Riot Festival and planned to host other shows in the coming weeks and months.
Coolio went from growing up in tough conditions in Compton, California, to becoming a Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist, selling more than 17 million records worldwide.
Perhaps his most famous song was “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which helped launch him toward the top of the rap music scene.
Coolio’s website noted that the song won a Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Rap Performance, Solo, and that it was featured on the “Dangerous Minds” soundtrack and movie.
The song “was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Song of the Year and it sold over six million copies and was Billboard Magazine’s number one single in 1995,” his site said. “The world recognition led to his music being featured Coolio for several major motion pictures including: Space Jam, Clueless, The Big Payback, Panther, New Jersey Drive, The Jerk Boys, Eddie, Half Baked and many more. He also composed the theme song for the popular kids TV series KENAN on Nickelodeon.”
