Farewell Coolio

Coolio, the rapper who basically the owned the 90s, died suddenly yesterday. He was 59. No cause of death was given but he was visiting a friend at the time. The friend found Coolio collapsed on the bathroom floor and he told TMZ he assumed it was a "cardiac event." Coolio was a life-long sufferer of asthma.

Folks my age - early 40s - will instantly connect Coolio to "Gangsta's Paradise," the song from the soundtrack to Dangerous Minds. I think I saw that movie three times in the theater. Don't judge. It was 1995 and I come from a small town - there was literally nothing else to do.

No doubt Coolio helped make Dangerous Minds a success as the video for "Gangsta's Paradise" featured movie clips. Coolio also had a big hit with "Fantastic Voyage." That was a song my mom really liked and we played it a lot in my house back in the day. Thinking about these tracks definitely takes me back to high school. Good memories for sure.

Coolio, the rapper who helped define hip-hop in the 1990s with anthemic hits like “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died. He was 59. https://t.co/CKOyjbpyvs pic.twitter.com/tPCi8x78RB

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 29, 2022

Comments

[Him]

RIP Coolio. You were never a go-to for me, as my brief dalliances with rap ran towards Run DMC, Naughty by Nature, Public Enemy, and (yes, I know) NWA and one song from Eminem Oh, and Nelly's "#1" as it rocks (in a mellow way, with good ole Perry providing some sonic nuances/visual props in the video).

But I give the man this: he was man enough to admit that he ended up finding "Amish Paradise" by Weird Al funny, even after feuding with him about it. That is class. And it was nice to see the Weird One pay a tribute to Coolio after his passing.

As an aside, do I actually like Weird Al? Well, sorta'. What he does takes a lot of skill. The naysayers are often cross because it is too cheesy, too lighthearted, too dorky. Fair enough. But, in limited doses, Weird Al does show his chops (and he has them).

Again, RIP Coolio.

[Bkallday]

RiP Coolio
Thanks for the fantastic voyage! 🙌🏼

[GNR]

Always like Too Hot remake (Kool & The Gang) that Coolio did. Song about AIDS and STDs - I believe just a few months after Eazy-E Died from Aids. Catchy and too the point:

Just a little bump n grind can seal your fate
We need to do something drastic, shit is gettin' tragic
And if you don't believe me, then go ask Magic
Everybody an they momma preachin' abstinence, these
Kids ain't checkin' for absti-shit
So put a condom in they hand and hope it don't bust
Another victim of the lust, in God we trust
What started off as a plan ended up in the plot
Water can't cool it off 'cause it's too damn hot

[fletch]

Nowadays, GNR, posting that will get you banned, especially in Florida. But, hey, it's a good thing that conservativism is coming back. Invoke sarcasm.

I don't even want to go to Thanksgiving dinner this year or anymore. It used to be my favorite holiday. My in-laws became Trump on steroids. Qanon for everyone!