Coolio
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Coolio is an American Grammy Award winning and multi platinum hip-hop artist. He is also a talented actor and has appeared in several movies. Coolio has sold over 4 million copies of his album and was Billboard's magazine single in 1995.
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[edit] About
Coolio was born Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. on August 1, 1963, in the South Central L.A. As a child, he loved reading books and was intelligent. When he was just 11 years old, Coolio's parents divorced and he wanted to fit in so he started hanging out with Baby Crips, getting in trouble with the law. At the age of 17 years old, he did time for larceny. When Coolio graduated, he went to Compton Community College there his interest for rap aroused. He performed on stage under the name "Coolio Iglesias". He also rapped for KDAY radio station in LA.
When he went out of rehab, he made connections in the LA hip-hop scene. In 1991, he released his debut album, Ain't A Damn Thang Changed and joined a rap group 40 Thevz. In 1994, his official debut album, It Takes A Thief, was released with the lead single "County Line" and "Fantastic Voyage". It Takes A Thief went platinum. After his successful album, he worked with Stevie Wonder on the single "Pastime Paradise". In 1995, Gangsta's Paradise, went triple-platinum. It was a dark album that the public didn't anticipate.
In 1997,Coolio and seven of his friend were arrested for shoplifting at a German clothing store and assaulted the owner. He was convicted on accessory charges and fined. In 1998, he was arrested again for possession of marijuana. In 1999, he appeared on the film, Tyrone but had to postpone a Crowbar promotional tour after an auto accident. In 2001, Coolio released, Fantastic Voyage - The Greatest Hits. In 2002, he worked with Kenny Rogers and made an updated version of the 1978 The Gambler album called El Cool Magnifico. In 2004, The album Return Of The Gangsta was released.
[edit] Awards & Certifications
Awards
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Top Hot 100 Single Sales Single of the Year. "Gangsta's Paradise" |
| 1995 | Billboard Music Award | Top Hot 100 Single of the Year. "Gangsta's Paradise" |
| 1996 | American Music Award | Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist. |
| 1996 | Grammy Award | Best Rap Solo Performance. "Gangsta's Paradise" |
| 1996 | Grammy Award | Nomination for Record of the Year. "Gangsta's Paradise" |
| 1996 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Rap Video. "Gangsta's Paradise" |
| 1996 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Video from a Film "Gangsta's Paradise" |
| 1996 | MTV Video Music Award Win | 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 | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. "Stomp" |
| 1998 | Grammy Award Nomination | Best Rap Performance. "C U When U Get There" |
Certifications
| Year | Album | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | It Takes A Thief | Certified Platinum in U.K. |
| 1995 | Gangsta's Paradise | Certified 3x Platinum in U.K. |
| 1997 | My Soul | Certified Gold in U.K. |
| Certified Platinum in U.S. |
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | Billboard Hot 100 | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | County Line | 97 | 27 | It Takes A Thief | |
| 1994 | Fantastic Voyage | 12 | 2 | 3 | It Takes A Thief |
| 1994 | I Remember | 83 | 48 | It Takes A Thief | |
| 1995 | Gangsta's Paradise (From "Dangerous Minds") | 2 | 1 | 1 | Gangsta's Paradise |
| 1995 | Mama I'm In Love | 49 | It Takes A Thief | ||
| 1995 | Too Hot | 31 | 6 | 24 | Gangsta's Paradise |
| 1996 | 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New) | 24 | 6 | 5 | Gangsta's Paradise |
| 1996 | It's All The Way Live (Now) (From "Eddie") | 47 | 9 | 29 | Eddie [OST] |
| 1997 | C U When U Get There | 34 | 7 | 12 | My Soul |
[edit] News
[edit] Tours & Concerts
No upcoming tours and concerts for this artist.
[edit] Announcements
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 July 19, 1994 Tommy Boy |
 November 21, 1995 Tommy Boy |
 August 26, 1997 Tommy Boy |
 October 15, 2002 Riviera |
 October 16, 2006 Hardwax |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | Label | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | County Line | Tommy Boy | It Takes A Thief |
| 1994 | Fantastic Voyage | Tommy Boy | It Takes A Thief |
| 1994 | I Remember | Tommy Boy | It Takes A Thief |
| 1995 | Gangsta's Paradise (From "Dangerous Minds") | MCA | Gangsta's Paradise |
| 1995 | Mama I'm In Love | Tommy Boy | It Takes A Thief |
| 1995 | Too Hot | Tommy Boy | Gangsta's Paradise |
| 1996 | 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New) | Tommy Boy | Gangsta's Paradise |
| 1996 | It's All The Way Live (Now) (From "Eddie") | Tommy Boy | Eddie [OST] |
| 1997 | C U When U Get There | Tommy Boy | My Soul |
[edit] Compilations & Live Releases
 July 17, 2001 Tommy Boy |
[edit] Other artists
[edit] Similar artists
[edit] Influences
[edit] Contemporaries
[edit] Trivia
- He is known for his hairstyle with spidery braids that stick out all over his head.
- Coolio appeared in a sub-plot in the comic book hero movie Daredevil.
- He has his own record label called Crowbar Records.
- He was a former firefighter in Southern California's San Bernadino mountains.
- He appeared in a television commercial for Verizon Wireless phone services.
