Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022), better known as Coolio, was an American rapper and actor.
He was known for his Grammy Award-winning "Gangsta's Paradise" (originally made for the soundtrack of the film Dangerous Minds) and his minor parts in several films such as the director's cut of Daredevil (2003).
Discography:
Albums- It Takes a Thief (1994)
- Gangsta's Paradise (1995)
- 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)
This artist's works provide examples of:
- As the Good Book Says...: "Gangsta's Paradise" starts off with Psalm 23:4 "As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death".
- Author Appeal: He likes sampling from Lakeside.
- The Cameo: For acting roles, he usually does this.
- Sampling:
- "Fantastic Voyage" samples the song of the same name by Lakeside.
- "Gangsta's Paradise" samples the chorus and instrumentation of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise".
- "It's All the Way Live (Now)" samples "It's All the Way Live" by Lakeside.
- Villainous Lament: "Gangsta's Paradise" is about a hoodlum who obviously knows that his lifestyle is morally wrong and self-destructive but has given up hope on changing for the better.
"DAMN! Now how am I gonna get home?!"
