Coolio
Coolio at a US Army base in Bosnia (2002)
Background information
Birth name	Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Latin script: Bosna i Hercegovina, Cyrillic script: Босна и Херцеговина is a country on the Balkan
Born	August 1, 1963 (1963-08-01) (age 44) Compton, California, United States
Origin	Compton, California, United States
Genre(s)	Rap/Hip-Hop West Coast Rap Pop Rap Gangsta Rap
Occupation(s)	Rapper
Years active	1991–present
Associated acts	WC and the Maad Circle
Website	Coolio.name

Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Compton is a city located in Southern Los Angeles County California, USA, south-southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Compton is a city located in Southern Los Angeles County California, USA, south-southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. West Coast hip hop is a style of Hip hop music that originated in California in the early 1980s Pop rap (or hip-pop) is hip hop with a Pop music influence The style became popular in the early 1990s as hip hop music found commercial success For the Ice T album see Gangsta Rap (album. Gangsta rap is a term originated by the mainstream media to describe a certain subgenre Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and WC and the Maad Circle was a Hip hop group from Los Angeles, California that consisted of WC, Coolio and DJ Crazy Toones (born August 1, 1963) better known by his stage name Coolio, is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor perhaps best known for the hit song "Gangsta's Paradise", a reworking of the Stevie Wonder song Pastime Paradise. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A stage name, also called a screen name, is a Pseudonym used by Performers and Entertainers such as The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works " Gangsta's Paradise " is a rap song by Coolio featuring L Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13 1950 name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris) is an Songs in the Key of Life is an album by Stevie Wonder, released on Motown on September 28, 1976 (see 1976 in music Coolio has also made numerous television and film appearances.

Biography

Early life

The son of Jackie (née Jones), a factory worker, and Artis Leon Ivey, Sr. , a carpenter. A carpenter (builder is a skilled craftsman who performs carpentry - a wide range of Woodworking that includes constructing buildings, ^[1] His brother is actor and rapper Trent Douglas. He worked as a California Conservation Corps-member at the Pomona site. ^[2]

Recording career

Coolio started his career as a member of the rap group, WC and the Maad Circle, which included WC, Sir Jinx and DJ Crazy Toones. WC and the Maad Circle was a Hip hop group from Los Angeles, California that consisted of WC, Coolio and DJ Crazy Toones William L Calhoun Jr (born in 1970 better known by his Stage name WC pronounced "Dub-C" and not "Double-U-C" is an American Sir Jinx, born Anthony Wheaton, is an American hip-hop Record producer and rapper from South Central Los Angeles, Crazy Toones (born Lamar Calhoun) is a hip-hop DJ and producer younger brother of rapper WC. He later left the group and released his most successful album Gangsta's Paradise, which went 4X Platinum and featured the mega hit, Gangsta's Paradise and the popular party track, Sumpin New. Gangsta's Paradise is the second Album by rapper Coolio, released on November 21, 1995. However, Coolio's next three albums, 1997's "My Soul", 2002's "El Cool Magnifico" and 2006's "Return of the Gangsta", failed to live up to the success of his first two albums.

Coolio's recordings also appeared on the soundtracks to Clueless (1995) and Dangerous Minds (1995). Clueless is a 1995 Comedy film based on Emma by Jane Austen and set in a Beverly Hills high school Dangerous Minds is a 1995 Drama Film based on LouAnne Johnson 's autobiographical account of her experience as a Marine In 2005, he co-hosted the MOBO awards in the UK. The MOBO (an acronym for Music Of Black Origin) Awards, established in 1996 by Kanya King, are held annually in the UK to recognize artists of any race or nationality performing music of black origin.

Television

Coolio performed the theme song for the 1996 TV show Kenan and Kel, entitled "Awww Here It Goes. Kenan & Kel was an American Television sitcom that aired on Nickelodeon from 1996 to 2000 " Coolio also was in a movie in 2000 called Gangland. Gangland is a computer game created by Mediamobsters (now Sirius Games He also starred in an episode of The Nanny.

In 2001, he was a special guest on Beat the Geeks. Beat the Geeks was a Comedy Game show which aired on Comedy Central in the United States from 2001 to 2002. In 2002 Coolio guest starred in the hit series Charmed, as a Lazarus demon, in the episode Marry Go Round. Lazarus ( Hebrew: אלעזר Elʿāzār Eleazar "God (has helped" is the name of two separate men mentioned in the New Testament. The following is an episode list for the WB Television series Charmed. He played himself in the episode Coolio Runnings of the animated comedy Duckman. Duckman is an animated sitcom created by Everett Peck and developed by Peck Jeff Reno and Ron Osborn based on characters created by Peck in his Dark He also voiced Kwanzaa-bot, a character featured in the "A Tale of Two Santas" episode of Futurama. Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday celebrated primarily in the United States, honoring African-American heritage "A Tale of Two Santas" is the third episode in season three of Futurama. Futurama is an Emmy Award -winning animated American sitcom created by Matt Groening, and developed by Groening and In fact, according to the DVD commentary, the producers of Futurama were so impressed by his range of voices, that they said he could do voice-over work professionally. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is Coolio reprised the character for the direct-to-DVD feature Bender's Big Score. Futurama Bender's Big Score is an Annie Award -winning Direct-to-video Film based on the animated series Futurama

In 2002, Coolio was a contestant on Celebrity Fear Factor. The fear factor in occupational terminology refers to the increased per-worker productivity resulting from the threat of impending layoffs. During the third round, he referred to himself as "El Cool Magnifico" (which would become the title of his fourth studio album). That same year, he appeared on Celebrity Bootcamp and won. Coolio starred in the 2003 made-for-TV movie Dracula 3000, in which he played a space-faring stoner named 187, and the feature film Exposed, in which he played a rapper named "Bigg Heat". Dracula 3000, also titled Dracula 3000 Infinite Darkness, is a Horror movie released in 2004 that brings the legend of 187 is a numeric Code for the Crime of Murder. It is primarily used by law enforcement officials in the U Coolio played the role of US Navy sailor Franky in 2004 Croatian film Ta divna splitska noć (Wonderful night in Split). Croatia (Hrvatska ˈxȓvatska officially the Republic of Croatia ( Republika Hrvatska) is a southern Central European country at the crossroads between In 2004 he participated in the German Comeback Show where he finished as third behind Chris Norman and Benjamin Boyce. Chris Norman (born Christopher Ward Norman 25 October 1950, in Redcar, North Yorkshire) is an English Soft rock He made another television movie appearance in 2005 as a military officer in the horror film Pterodactyl. Pterodactyl is a 2005 film that premiered on the Sci Fi Channel. That year, he also appeared in Joey on the episode "Joey and the Poker. Joey was an American sitcom, which starred Matt LeBlanc reprising his role as Joey Tribbiani from the sitcom Friends "

In 2006, Coolio appeared in the "Tanner's Ghost" episode of the Celebrity Paranormal Project. Celebrity Paranormal Project, (sometimes abbreviated as CPP) is a Reality show which debuted on VH1 on October 22 2006 and was last aired

In 2008, Coolio is hosting an online cooking show (or video podcast), Cookin' with Coolio, for the network MyDamnChannel. Cookin' with Coolio is a web-based cooking instruction program starring West Coast rapper Coolio. He says he is trying to make "black food" healthier and more affordable for poor people (Newsweek). He says he "likes Bobby Flay and Rachel Ray".

Pop culture references

• His song Gangsta's Paradise was parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic as Amish Paradise in 1996. Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic (ˈjæŋkəvɪk born October 23 1959 is a Grammy Award winning American singer Musician, actor satirist " Amish Paradise " is a single by parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic. Coolio did not take kindly to the parody initially due to claims that he did not sign off on it (Yankovic's agent claimed Coolio's agent did). He did receive royalties, however. Coolio has since forgiven Al, even signing autographs with him at an electronics show.
• In the Twisted Metal 2 game for the PlayStation gaming console, he was in a billboard in the game. Twisted Metal 2 (known in Europe as Twisted Metal 2 World Tour) is the second and most successful game in the Vehicular combat The PlayStation (abbreviated PS, PSone, PS1, or informally as PSX) is a 32-bit fifth generation Video game console
• In the television show 30 Rock, Tracy Jordan states that the Black Crusaders wanted him to disappear "just like Coolio" to which Liz Lemon responds "Coolio's still around". 30 Rock is an American Television comedy Series created by Tina Fey. Tracy Jordan is a Fictional character on the American television series 30 Rock, played by Tracy Morgan. Elizabeth "Liz" Lemon is the Fictional Protagonist of the American Situation comedy 30 Rock.
• Commenting on the criminal record of Ol' Dirty Bastard, Chris Rock asserts in his 1999 spoken word song, "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)", that "ODB couldn't've possibly committed all those crimes. Russell Tyrone Jones ( November 15 1968 – November 13 2004) was an American Rapper who went by the Stage name Christopher Julius Rock III (born February 7, 1965) is an American Comedian, Actor, Screenwriter, Television Coolio did some of that shit. "
• Ska punk band Patent Pending mentions Coolio in their song "The Website Is Under Construction," singing "Where the hell is Coolio tonight?"
• Band Andrew Vincent and the Pirates mention Coolio in their song 'Girlfriend's Dog', singing "She calls him Frank, but I've been calling him Coolio"
• In the song "Go To Church" from Ice Cube's "Laugh Now, Cry Later" album, rapper Snoop Dogg mentions Coolio. Patent Pending is a Pop punk band from Mt Sinai New York. The band has been together since 2001 and has played hundreds of shows all across the United States
• In an episode of Futurama, what appears to be Coolio's face is shown on a coin. Futurama is an Emmy Award -winning animated American sitcom created by Matt Groening, and developed by Groening and
• In the children's computer game DinoPark Tycoon Coolio appears in the crowd of guests at the player's Dino Park. DinoPark Tycoon is an educational business simulation Computer game released by MECC in 1993, and it was widely used throughout
• In the UK TV series Benidorm, the character Chantelle names her baby Coolio. Benidorm is a British Television comedy that is produced by Tiger Aspect for ITV and written by Derren Litten, co-writer

Personal life

Coolio has six children but is separated from his wife.

Awards

Coolio in 2007

• 1994 : MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Best Rap Video. "Fantastic Voyage"
• 1995 : Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Fantastic Voyage"
• 1995 : Billboard Music Award Win for Top Hot 100 Single Sales Single of the Year. "Gangsta's Paradise"
• 1995 : Billboard Music Award Win for Top Hot 100 Single of the Year. "Gangsta's Paradise"
• 1996 : American Music Award Win for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist.
• 1996 : Grammy Award Win for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Gangsta's Paradise"
• 1996 : Grammy Award Nomination for Record of the Year. "Gangsta's Paradise"
• 1996 : MTV Video Music Award Win for Best Rap Video. "Gangsta's Paradise"
• 1996 : MTV Video Music Award Win for Best Video from a Film . "Gangsta's Paradise"
• 1996 : MTV Video Music Award Win for Best Dance Video. "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)")
• 1996 : MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Best Male Video. "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)")
• 1997 : Grammy Award Nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. "Stomp"
• 1998 : Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Performance. "C U When U Get There"

Discography

Albums

WC and the Maad Circle

Singles

References

External links

• Coolio official site
• [1] The 411 on Coolio [authored by Balance: 411@hiphop. It Takes a Thief is Coolio 's debut album " Fantastic Voyage," a hit from the 1970s returned to the charts after its release off this album Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Gangsta's Paradise is the second Album by rapper Coolio, released on November 21, 1995. Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and My Soul is the third album by rapper Coolio. The album was released on August 26, 1997 and was his last album for Tommy Boy Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Cooliocom is an album by West Coast rapper Coolio. The album was released exclusively in Japan on April 18, 2001, on JVC Victor Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Fantastic Voyage The Greatest Hits is a compilation album by rapper Coolio, released in 2001 Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and El Cool Magnifico is the fourth studio album by rapper Coolio. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and The Return of the Gangsta is the fifth album by Coolio, released in 16 October 2006 Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Events 1014 - Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Ain't a Damn Thang Changed is the debut album from the Hip hop group WC and the Maad Circle. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Curb Servin is the second and last album from the Hip hop group WC and the Maad Circle. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of Albums and singles sold through retail and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. Hot Rap Tracks is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry " Gangsta's Paradise " is a rap song by Coolio featuring L Larry Sanders, better know by his Stage name LV whose initials stand for "Large Variety" is an American R&B singer Montell Jordan is an American R&B Singer-songwriter and Record producer. This Is How We Do It is the debut album by Montell Jordan. The album has been certified platinum Eddie is a 1996 sports Movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Frank Langella. Ophélie Kleerekoper-Winter (born February 20, 1974 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France) is a French Singer and Actress " Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem " is a 1996 Hip-Hop song sung by B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Method Louis Freese, better known by his Stage name B-Real, is a rapper of Mexican and Afro-Cuban heritage ---- Clifford Smith (born April 1, 1971) better known by his Stage name Method Man, is an American hip hop artist, James Todd Smith (born January 14 1968 better known as LL Cool J, is an American Rapper and actor Trevor George Smith Jr, (born May 20 1972 better known as Busta Rhymes, is an American actor and Musician of Jamaican descent Space Jam Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the original soundtrack album of the 1996 film of the same name starring Michael Jordan Anthony Henderson (born June 17, 1973 better known as Krayzie Bone, is a two-time Grammy Award -winning artist and member of the Kenneth Ray "Kenny" Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston Texas) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter " Gangsta Walk " is the first single from Coolio 's comeback album The Return of the Gangsta. Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr (born October 20 1971 His mother nicknamed him " Snoopy " as a child because of the way he dressed and because of his love of sh]
• Coolio videos on Yahoo! Music
• Coolio at the Internet Movie Database
• Cookin' with Coolio Official YouTube