Coolio’s manager revealed the late rapper’s cause of death on Thursday (April 6).
Jarel “Jarez” Posey told TMZ and Variety the hitmaking artist died due to fentanyl. A coroner also found traces of heroin and methamphetamines in Coolio’s system.
According to Posey, Coolio’s severe asthma played a role in his death. Decades of smoking cigarettes added to the complications.
Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., passed away in September 2022. He was 59.
The Grammy-winning rapper first rose to fame as a member of WC and the Maad Circle. He gained wider recognition as a solo artist, thanks in large part to the hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise” featuring L.V.
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. “Gangsta’s Paradise” spent three weeks at the top of the chart.
“Gangsta’s Paradise,” which was originally recorded for the film Dangerous Minds, appeared as the title track on Coolio’s second solo album. The album and song each earned multi-platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Last month, Coolio’s family announced plans to release a posthumous album. His estate dropped the first single “TAG You It” featuring Too $hort and DJ Wino in March.
Watch the music video below.