Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was an American rapper from California who became one of the most recognizable figures in 1990s hip-hop. His style blended West Coast rap, funk and accessible melodies, with lyrics ranging from street narratives and humor to social observation. He achieved worldwide success with Gangsta’s Paradise while building a broader discography through albums such as It Takes a Thief and Gangsta’s Paradise, securing a lasting place in popular culture.