Vanilla Ice ‘shocked and devastated’ over Coolio’s sudden death… just days after they performed together in what would be the late rapper’s final show
In the wake of rapper Coolio’s sudden death, 90s rapper Vanilla Ice has spoken out about his friend.
Ice – real name Robert Matthew Van Winkle – told TMZ he lost sleep Wednesday night over the news and was ‘still in shock and freaking out’ by Thursday.
‘My heart goes out to all the family. I’m truly devastated. He was a great friend,’ he told the publication.
Grieving: In the wake of rapper Coolio’s sudden death, 90s rapper Vanilla Ice has spoken out about his friend
The musician, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr, was found unresponsive on a bathroom floor of a friend’s house in Los Angeles at around 4pm.
The two music artists had spent the last six years touring their I Love The 90s show for audiences around the world, performing as recently as last week in Cyprus, Texas.
Robert, known for his 1990 hit Ice Ice Baby, said during the Friday night concert Coolio came onstage and freestyled.
After the show they spent time in his dressing room with Coolio showing no signs of bad health. ‘See you tomorrow, homie,’ was the last thing Coolio said to him.
Close friends:
EMTs pronounced Coolio dead on the scene and an autopsy is now underway to establish the official cause of death – though law enforcement sources shared that ‘no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene’ and they do not suspect foul play.
Paramedics suspected he suffered a cardiac arrest, according to the star’s longtime manager, Jarez.
Another collaborator of the hip hop star, actress Michelle Pfeiffer, paid tribute to him on Instagram on Thursday.
Pfeiffer, 64, shared the music video for Gangsta’s Paradise after working with the musician on the video, with the song being the cornerstone of the soundtrack for her 1995 film Dangerous Minds.
The track topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won Coolio the Grammy award for best rap solo performance in 1996.
Heartbroken: Michelle Pfeiffer has led tributes to the rapper Coolio, best known for his chart-topping song Gangsta’s Paradise, after he died on Wednesday at the age of 59
Tragedy: The musician, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr, was found unresponsive on a bathroom floor of a friend’s house in Los Angeles at around 4pm
https://youtube.com/watch?v=5v4_h1KehV0%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
Pfeiffer shared the music video for Coolio’s smash hit Gangsta’s Paradise, from their iconic 1995 film: ‘Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short.’
‘As some of you may know I was lucky enough to work with him on Dangerous Minds in 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack – which I think was the reason our film saw so much success.’
‘I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr.’
In May, Pfeiffer reminisced as she shared an image taken in 1995 when the two worked on the music video for Gangsta’s Paradise.
Pfeiffer was the star of the film, playing former Marine LouAnne Johnson who goes to work at a high school as a teacher in a rough neighborhood in California.
Coolio provided the smash hit song, and was awarded a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rap Video and Best Video from a Film and a Billboard Music Award for the song/album.
Passing: EMTs pronounced Coolio dead on the scene and an autopsy is now underway to establish the official cause of death – though law enforcement sources shared that ‘no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene’
Gone too soon: The musician – famous for his hit song Gangsta’s Paradise – was visiting a friend on Wednesday afternoon when he was found dead (Pictured 10 days ago)
The latest: Helicopter reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News Chris Cristi Tweeted a photo of police officers outside the house where the rapper was found dead
Rapper Ice Cube took to Twitter after hearing the sad news and paid tribute to Coolio, writing, ‘This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.’
Sean Evans shared a photo of a Coolio CD, writing, ‘First CD I ever bought in may life and the most legendary Wing 10 Last Dab these eyes have ever seen RIP Coolio.’
Snoop Dogg referenced the world-famous track in his own tribute, writing: ‘Gangstas paradise. R I P.’
He also shared a picture of the two on Instagram, posing on the set of the music video for their collaborative track Gangsta Walk, released in 2006.
Questlove shared a black and white picture of the rapper on Instagram, writing: ‘Peaceful journey brother.’
New York rapper Flava Flav lamented the loss of Coolio, writing: ‘Coolio was the West Coast Flavor Flav,,, He loved telling everyone that.
‘We was supposed to perform together this Tuesday. RIP my friend. Rest in Gangsta’s Paradise my friend.’
Dream collaboration: The Golden Globe Award winner and Coolio filmed the music video in 1995
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