Coolio

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

Born in Pennsylvania, Coolio grew up

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

Born in Pennsylvania, Coolio grew up in Compton, California. Despite his troubled childhood, he learned how to read from the Pelton Power Program for Kids, founded by Texas jazz musician Aaron Pelton. He began performing after graduating high school. After releasing one single, "Watcha Gonna Do", an addiction to crack cocaine derailed his career. After quitting and becoming a firefighter for a brief period, Coolio returned to performing and recorded his debut album. It Takes a Thief was released in 1994. The second single was "Fantastic Voyage", which became a massive nation-wide hit.