Coolio

Coolio
Coolio in November 2002, performing for U.S. Army soldiers in Bosnia.
Background information
Birth name	Artis Leon Ivey Jr.
Also known as	Coolio
Born	(1963-08-01) August 1, 1963 (age 53) Compton, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop Gangsta rap G-funk West Coast hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper actor record producer chef
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Tommy Boy Warner Bros.
Associated acts	WC and the Maad Circle 2Pac Chilly Chill Ice-T Low Profile Sir Jinx Ras Kass J.T. Taylor Snoop Dogg Falling in Reverse Method Man B-Real Busta Rhymes
Website	CoolioWorld.com

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (born August 1, 1963), known professionally as Coolio, is an American rapper, chef, actor, and record producer. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid to late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). He is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", as well as other singles "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" (1996) and "C U When U Get There" (1997). He was also known for rapping the theme song for the late 1990s Nickelodeon series Kenan & Kel. Coolio has since gone on to release albums independently, as well becoming a chef, creating a web series titled Cookin' with Coolio and releasing a cookbook.

He recorded two singles in 1987, titled "Watch Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me". Coolio made connections in the L.A. rap scene, and in 1991, ended up joining the group WC and the Maad Circle, led by rapper WC. He had a few verses on the group's debut album Ain't a Damn Thang Changed, including on the single "Dress Code". The album was regionally successful.

In 1994, Coolio signed to Tommy Boy Records and released his debut solo album It Takes a Thief. The lead single "Fantastic Voyage" received heavy rotation on MTV, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Fantastic Voyage" would become one of the biggest rap singles of the year, and the album contained a few other minor hits in "County Line" and "I Remember". It Takes a Thief peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200, becoming certified Platinum. The album received praise for bringing a humorous and lighthearted perspective to often violent and profane themes of typical gangsta rap.