'Gangsta's Paradise' rapper Coolio has reportedly died at age 59

Rapper Coolio, who had one of the biggest hits of the '90s with the massive global smash Gangsta's Paradise, has reportedly died aged 59.

TMZ reports the rapper died on Wednesday at a friend's house in Los Angeles, with his manager telling the outlet Coolio – real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr. – had excused himself to use the bathroom.

When he didn't return, the friend went to check on him and found him laying on the floor. Paramedics were called but were unable to revive the star, with cardiac arrest the suspected cause of death. No official cause has yet been determined.

Coolio released his first album It Takes A Thief in 1994, but it was the following year when his song for the soundtrack of the movie Dangerous Minds turned him into a global star.

Gangsta's Paradise hit the number one spot in countries worldwide – in the US it became the top-selling single of 1995.

While he would never repeat that chart-topping success, Coolio continued releasing albums up until what was to be his final release in 2009.

In recent years, he moved from music into acting and television work, appearing on reality shows like Cookin' With Coolio and Coolio's Rules.

This article was first published by the NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.