The American rapper Coolio was found dead at home in Los Angeles, he was 59 years old

American rapper Coolio, famous for his 1995 hit 'Gangsta's Paradise', died in Los Angeles at the age of 59.

This was announced by his manager Jarez Posey, without specifying the cause of death.

    The Grammy-winning musician, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, was found lifeless in his bathroom by a friend of his yesterday afternoon.

    Coolio began his rap career in California in the late 1980s, but became world famous in 1995 when he released 'Gangsta's Paradise' for the soundtrack of 'Dangerous Thoughts'.

He was awarded Best Solo Rap Performance for this song at the following year's Grammy Awards ceremony.

    With a hook taken from Stevie Wonder's 1976 track 'Pastime Paradise', the song sold millions of copies worldwide, reaching the top of the pop charts in 16 countries and becoming Billboard's number one song in 1995.