Thursday 29 September 2022 11:32 PM Coolio dead at 59: Rapper filmed audio for next season's Futurama playing role ... trends now
Coolio filmed audio playing the role of Kwanzaa-bot that will be aired on next season's Futurama, in the wake of the rapper's death Wednesday at 59.
Futurama executive producer David X. Cohen told TMZ that the rapper had completed recording audio tracks for his recurring character weeks ago.
Cohen told the outlet that Coolio 'looked and sounded great' in his work on the Hulu series, and extemporaneously produced tracks for the show.
The latest: Coolio filmed audio playing the role of Kwanzaa-bot that will be aired on next season's Futurama, in the wake of the rapper's death Wednesday at 59. He was pictured earlier this month in Chicago
The episode featuring Coolio will be dedicated to the late performer, who will be heard rapping in the show's closing credits, according to the outlet.
Cohen said producers will give him 'the best send-off we can' in the episode.
'Coolio was one of my favorite guests,' Cohen said. 'He was always totally upbeat and genuinely enjoyed coming in to record as his character Kwanzaa-bot.'
Coolio initially appeared and made his first of multiple appearances on the show in 2001.
Details: Futurama executive producer David X. Cohen said that the rapper had completed recording audio tracks for his recurring character weeks ago
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Goodbye: Producers said they will give Coolio 'the best send-off we can' in the episode
The rapper, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died at his friend's Los Angeles home Wednesday, his manager Jarez Posey told the Associated Press. There was no immediate cause of death announced.
EMTs pronounced Coolio dead on the scene and an autopsy is now underway to establish the official cause of death - though law enforcement sources shared that 'no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene' and they do not suspect foul play.
Paramedics suspected he suffered a cardiac arrest, according to the star's longtime manager, Jarez.
The track Gangsta's Paradise topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won Coolio the Grammy award for best rap solo performance in 1996. Coolio was awarded a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rap Video and Best Video from a Film and a Billboard Music Award for the song/album.
Tragedy: The musician, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr, was found unresponsive on a bathroom floor of a friend's house in Los Angeles at around 4pm
Passing: EMTs pronounced Coolio dead on the scene and an autopsy is now underway to establish the official cause of death - though law enforcement sources shared that 'no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene'
The latest: Helicopter reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News Chris Cristi Tweeted a photo of police officers outside the house where the rapper was found dead
Rapper Ice Cube took to Twitter after hearing the sad news and paid tribute to Coolio, writing, 'This is sad news. I witness first hand this man's grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.'
Sean Evans shared a photo of a Coolio CD, writing, 'First CD I ever bought in may life and the most legendary Wing 10 Last Dab these eyes have ever seen RIP Coolio.'
Snoop Dogg referenced the world-famous track in his own tribute, writing: 'Gangstas paradise. R I P.'
He also shared a picture of the two on Instagram, posing on the set of the music video for their collaborative track Gangsta Walk, released in 2006.
Questlove shared a black and white picture of the rapper on Instagram, writing: 'Peaceful journey brother.'
New York rapper Flava Flav lamented the loss of Coolio, writing: 'Coolio was the West Coast Flavor Flav,,, He loved telling everyone that.
'We was supposed to perform together this Tuesday. RIP my friend. Rest in Gangsta’s Paradise my friend.'
Tributes: There was also an outpouring of grief from the hip hop community who had worked closely with the rapper
Gangsta’s Paradise was parodied by US musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic, as Amish Paradise, who also paid his respects to the rapper in a short tribute on social media.
At the time it was claimed that Coolio had not given him permission for the parody, however, Coolio stated in interviews that the pair had since made amends.
Sharing a picture of the pair embracing, Weird Al Yankovic wrote: 'RIP Coolio.'
Among those to respond immediately to the reports was fellow US rapper Vanilla Ice, who said he was 'freaking out' after hearing the news.
'I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away,' the rapper, real name Robert Matthew Van Winkle, wrote on Twitter.
In his own online tribute, US rapper LL Cool J wrote: 'Rest in power my brother. @Coolio Love and Respect.'
The West Coast legend is survived by his ex-wife, Josefa Salinas, whom he married in 1996. The former couple split four years later after having four children.
He is reported to have between six and 10 children in total with multiple women. His known children include Grtis Ivey, Brandi Ivey, Milan Ivey, Darius Ivey, Zhaneand Ivey, Jackie Ivey, Kate Ivey, Shayne Ivey, Artisha Ivey, and Artis Ivey III.
Coolio was recently seen performing on stage during Riot Fest 2022 at Douglass Park on September 18, in Chicago, Illinois, and just four days ago he took to Instagram to share his latest performance in Texas.
He was also seen looking healthy earlier in April at the airport in Sydney where he generously stopped to take photos with fans, ahead of his concert at Luna Park.
Possible cause: The paramedics suspect he suffered a cardiac arrest, though an official cause of death has not been determined according to the star's longtime manager (Pictured in 1996)
After being born in the steel-making city of Monessen, south-western Pennsylvania, he moved to Compton, Los Angeles where he began developing his skills by entering rap contests.
He recorded the singles Watcha Gonna Do and You’re Gonna Miss Me in the late 1980s, before joining group WC and
