Coolio (born Artis Ivey, Jr. in August 1, 1963) is an American rapper best known for the song "Gangsta's Paradise" from the Dangerous Minds soundtrack.

Natural around Pennsylvania, Coolio grew up within Compton, California. Despite his turbulent childhood, he learned training understand from either a Pelton Power Program for Children, founded by Texas jazz musician Aaron Pelton. He began performing fallowing graduating high school. When releasing 1 only, "Watcha Gonna Do", an addiction to crack cocaine derailed his career. When quitting & becoming the firefighter for a brief cycle, Coolio returned to performing & recorded his debut album. It Requires the Stealer was freed inside 1994. A 2nd only was "Fantastic Voyage", which became the massive united states-countrywide hit.

"Gangsta's Paradise", the rap written to the tune of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" from Songs in the Key of Life, was placed on the soundtrack to Dangerous Minds because executives at Tommy Boy Records felt it would not sell. It ended higher existence the #1 popular hit in the America, & became the number one rap individual to sell on top a million copies in the UK, in which it as well reached #1. "Weird Al" Yankovic parodied the song with "Amish Paradise" soon after, leading to discord between Coolio and Tommy Boy; Coolio claimed that he was unaware that Weird Al's record label had gotten permission for Al to do a parody of the song, and made no secrets about his discontent. The 1996 album called ''Gangsta's Paradise became another hit, while Coolio continued touring and started acting. His third album, Our Soul'', was abortive. Legal problems (including larceny) around Germany, and late California put Coolio's career on hang on to. He appeared around two or three films & install his have record label, Crowbar Records, but his next album was delayed until 2002. El Cool Magnifico involved the collaboration sustaining Kenny Rogers on an update of his old hit "The Gambler". He was a singer of the Kenan & Kel theme song.

More pieces of his act include One hundred U When You Develop There, whose melody lines come according to Pachelbel's Canon

Around January-February 2004, Coolio tried to win the record treat on the "Comeback Show" contest in German television, however one of these days a class action Smokie won it instead of him.

Inside September 2005, he signed a worldwide record contract for trio albums using Subside Records of the italian producer Giovanni Giorgilli. Vanni G, when he is better known in the italian dance scene, is Coolio's freshly manager & producer. A number 1 collaboration is "Gangsta Walk" featuring Snoop Dogg. A recently album "The Return of the Gangsta" is freed inside January 2006.

UK Chart Hits
Gangsta's Paradise There are no.I (1995) Too Hot There is no.Nine (1996) 1234 (Sumpin' Recently) '''There are no. Baker's dozen''' (1996) It's All The Way Survive (Okay,) There is no.34 (1997) Hit 'Em High (A Monstars' Anthem) There is no.Eighter (1997) C U When You Develop There There are no.Trio (1997) Ooh La La There is no.Xiv (1998)

Awards

1994 : MTV Cd Music Award Nomination for Better Rap Streaming video. "Fantastic Voyage" 1995 : Grammy Award Nomination for Better Rap Solo Performance. "Fantastic Voyage" 1995 : Hoarding Music Award Win for Top Hot Hundred Individual Gross sales Individual of the Month. "Gangsta's Paradise" 1995 : Hoarding Music Award Win for Top Hot Century Only of the Month. "Gangsta's Paradise" 1996 : U.s. Music Award Win for Preferred Rap/Hip Hop Creative person. 1996 : Grammy Award Win for Better Rap Solo Performance. "Gangsta's Paradise" 1996 : Grammy Award Nomination for Record of the Season. "Gangsta's Paradise" 1996 : MTV Streaming Music Award Win for Better Rap Videos. "Gangsta's Paradise" 1996 : MTV Cd Music Award Win for Better Streaming from either the Film . "Gangsta's Paradise" 1996 : MTV Streaming video Music Award Win for Better Dance Cd. "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)") 1996 : MTV Streaming videos Music Award Nomination for Better Male Videos. "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)") 1998 : Grammy Award Nomination for Better Rap Performance. "C U When U Get There"