Coolio
Coolio Coolio in November 2002, performing for U.S. Army soldiers in Bosnia. Background information Birth name Artis Leon Ivey Jr. Born (1963-08-01) August 1, 1963 (age 51) Compton, California, USA 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, Ice-T, Low Profile, Sir Jinx, Ras Kass, J.T. Taylor Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (born August 1, 1963), better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, chef, actor, and record producer. Coolio achieved mainstream success in the mid 1990's with his albums It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul. He is best known for his Grammy winning hit single "Gangsta's Paradise", as well as other singles "Fantastic Voyage", "C U When U Get There" and "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)". He 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.