GANGSTA’S Paradise rapper Coolio has died at age 59 after he reportedly collapsed while at a friend’s house.

The legendary rapper, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles, according to his rep.

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Coolio’s longtime manager, Jarez, told TMZ that the rap icon went to use the restroom and never came out.

Growing concerned, the friend eventually went to check on Coolio and found him on the floor.

Paramedics suspect the star suffered a cardiac arrest, according to TMZ.

Police were spotted at the home where the prolific singer was found dead at around 4pm PST.

An official cause of death has not yet been released.

Coolio, a Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist, was an up-and-comer in the late 1980s and rocketed to fame in 1995 with Gangsta’s Paradise.

The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1995 Dangerous Minds film starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

Coolio came third on Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 and appeared on Ultimate Big Brother a year later.

The rap and hip hop world was rocked by news of his passing, with Ice Cube writing: “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.”

LL Cool J said: “Rest in power my brother. Love & Respect,” as many other tributes quickly poured in.

Coolio’s other hits included Fantastic Voyage, 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New), and It’s All the Way Live (Now).

He also did the theme song for the hit TV show Kenan & Kel, called Aw, Here It Goes.

Just days before his death, the rapper posted a video to his Instagram from an onstage performance in Texas.

He did not caption the post, instead letting the video speak for itself.

That post has become a makeshift memorial as fans learn of his death.

FANS REACT

Hundreds of comments honoring the rap icon have flooded social media with many in disbelief that the legend has passed.

“Rest in piece coolio omg,” one person wrote.

“Rest in Gangster’s Paradise,” another said.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, fans are sharing their favorite Coolio songs as they mourn.

“The way tv and hip-hop were so connected in the 90s is something i’ll never forget. and it gave us one of the best songs in the kenan and kel theme by coolio. rest in peace,” one person tweeted.

“Thank you coolio for giving us one of the best theme songs of all time,” wrote another.

COOLIO’S HISTORY

Coolio was born in August 1963 in Pennsylvania but later moved to Compton, California.

He overcame intense battles with poverty and drug addiction during his inspiring rise to fame.

Once in California, he joined WC and the Maad Circle in 1991.

Years later, in 1994, he signed with Tommy Boy Records and released his debut album It Takes a Thief.

The album’s lead single, Fantastic Voyage, as well as another single, called It Takes a Thief, propelled him toward notoriety.

Gangsta’s Paradise was released in the mid-90s, at which point Coolio really rose to fame.

He went on to record Aw, Here It Goes! which was used as the opening sequence of Nickelodeon’s Kenan & Kel.

His music was also featured in Space Jam, Clueless, The Big Payback, Panther, New Jersey Drive, The Jerk Boys, Eddie, Half Baked, among other titles.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Coolio appeared in movies and on reality TV.

He co-stared in the film Retirement with Bill Cobb, Peter Falk, Charlie Murphy and Rip Torn.

Coolio also starred in several HBO films and series and had cameos in 1997’s Batman & Robin and 2003’s Daredevil.

He landed his own Oxygen show in 2007 called Coolio & The Gang.

FAMILY GRIEVES

Coolio is survived by 10 children and his ex-wife Josefa Salina, who he married in 1996.

He rose to fame while married to Josefa and they welcomed four children together – three daughters and one son.

The couple divorced four years after tying the knot.

The rapper was also father to six other children.

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