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He was known for his Grammy Award-winning "Gangsta's Paradise" (originally made for the soundtrack of the film Dangerous Minds) and his minor parts in several films such as the director's cut of Daredevil (2003). He also voiced Kwanzaa Bot in Futurama.
He passed away at age 59 from a drug overdose.
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.
- Being Evil Sucks: "Gangsta's Paradise" is all about how being a gangster is a self-destructive lifestyle, and to make things worse, it's also seemingly impossible to escape once you're in deep.Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me? - The Cameo: For acting roles, he usually does this.
- Damn, It Feels Good to Be a Gangster!: Inverted in "Gangsta's Paradise." The message of the song is that the life of a gangster is full of fear, doubt, and regret, and you could be killed at any moment.
- Dramatic Choir Number: "Gangsta's Paradise" is backed by a short, looping choir riff. The song is a Villainous Lament, so the choir helps give it a mournful feel. The choir also ties into the religious motifs used throughout the song.
- Hypocrite: Discussed in "Gangsta's Paradise." The singer character points out that people say he needs help, but they never actually do anything to help him.They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me
If they can't understand it, how can they reach me?
I guess they can't, I guess they won't, I guess they front
That's why I know my life is out of luck, fool - 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.
- Trapped in Villainy: The singer character of "Gangsta's Paradise" feels trapped in his criminal lifestyle because nobody is willing to help him change for the better.
- 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?!"
