With "Gangsta's Paradise" Coolio released a real world hit in 1995. Now the US rapper dies completely unexpectedly when he visits a friend. Numerous musicians and former companions react to the death of the 59-year-old on social media.
After the surprising, far too early death of US rapper Coolio, stars, companions and especially numerous musicians shared touching reactions on social networks.
Hollywood star Michelle Pfeiffer, who is connected to Coolio through his biggest hit "Gangsta's Paradise", made the start. "Heartbroken to hear about the death of the talented artist Coolio. A life that ended too soon," writes the 64-year-old on Instagram.
With "Gangsta's Paradise", Coolio created the title track for Pfeiffer's hit film "Dangerous Minds - Wilde Thoughts" from 1995. In her post, the actress names the song as the reason for the film's great popularity - and shares an excerpt from the joint music video of the both stars. Even after 30 years, she "still gets goosebumps when I hear the song," she writes.
Numerous musical companions also pay tribute to the late rapper on social networks. Snoop Dogg simply writes on Instagram: "Gangsta's Paradise. Rest in Peace", and shares a picture of the two West Coast rappers together.
"One of the nicest guys I knew," said U Can't Touch This interpreter MC Hammer.
Rapper and "Navy CIS: L.A." star LL Cool J tweets in a variation on the English "rest in peace": "Rest in power my brother. Coolio. Love and respect".
Actor Martin Lawrence also sent his condolences on Twitter. "My deepest condolences and prayers go out to Coolio's family," said the "Bad Boys" actor.
Musician and comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic, who parodied Coolio's biggest hit "Gangsta's Paradise" in 1996 with his "Amish Paradise," shared a photo of a hug with the rap great on Twitter and simply wrote: "Rest in peace "Coolio".
The drummer of The Roots and Oscar winner Questlove simply writes: "Peaceful journey brother."
Ice Cube is also dismayed by the "sad news". He wrote on Twitter that he himself witnessed Coolio's rise to the top of the industry.
Singer Afida Turner, who has been married to Tina and Ike Turner's son since 2007, is affected. To dozens of emojis that show two hands folded in prayer, she writes: "MY GOD, NO, COOLIO" and: "Rest in paradise".
Irish politician Thomas Pringle tweeted a video of himself quoting Gangsta's Paradise in the Irish Parliament: "Power and the money, money and the power. Minute after minute, hour after hour...". While Coolio rapped about a "Gangsta's Paradise" in 1995, Pringle adds, he could have just as easily been referring to Irish politics.
Poison singer Bret Michaels captioned a photo with Coolio: "My deepest condolences go out to Coolio's family, friends and fans." The picture was taken during the filming of "The Greatest Hits" by the US broadcaster ABC. "A great guy who will be missed," Michaels finished his tweet.
Basketball superstar LeBron James posted the name Coolios in a story on his official Instagram account, followed by eight emojis of the white dove of peace. Immediately following, the Los Angeles Lakers star wrote in another story, "Right where he is now! Gangsta's Paradise."
US helicopter reporter Chris Cristi took an aerial photo of the house in Los Angeles where Coolio was found dead on Wednesday evening (local time). Next to a police officer, two men can be seen bowing their heads, visibly distressed.
How Coolio died is not yet clear. According to the celebrity portal "TMZ", the 59-year-old died at the house of a friend he was visiting. He went to the toilet but never came out. After a while, when the friend checked on him, he found him lying on the ground. The paramedics, who pronounced him dead, assumed cardiac arrest, but the investigation was ongoing. The investigators did not find any drugs or drug paraphernalia on site, TMZ continues. An autopsy should clarify the exact cause of death.
It is known that Coolio suffered from asthma. About six years ago he had a severe seizure during a performance. He had previously reported in an interview that he often struggled with it and sometimes even almost died from it.
