Coolio

The Profile

Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known as Coolio, was an American rapper noted for his 1990s hits including 'Gangsta's Paradise' and the 1994 album It Takes a Thief.

Full name: Artis Leon Ivey Jr.; Born: August 1, 1963; Died: September 28, 2022; Best-known single: 'Gangsta's Paradise' (won a Grammy in 1996); Debut major-label album: It Takes a Thief (1994).

The provided review reflects on Coolio's passing and evaluates his 1994 debut It Takes a Thief as an enjoyable, somewhat underrated record with g-funk and storytelling strengths. The reviewer places Coolio in the context of 1990s hip-hop, cites the commercial changes brought by major labels, and recalls the success of 'Gangsta's Paradise'. Overall the tone is respectful and melancholic.