Coolio Died From Fentanyl, Coroner Reveals

The rapper also had traces of heroin and methamphetamines in his system at the time of his tragic loss.

BYGabriel Bras Nevares
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A coroner recently revealed that the late great Coolio passed away from a substance that has taken far too many lives, both in entertainment and communities at large. Moreover, a spokesperson for the rapper's family, Jarel "Jarez" Posey, told TMZ that they just learned of Coolio's official cause of death. Furthermore, the coroner told his loved ones that he died of fentanyl, and also had methamphetamines and heroin in his system at the time of death. Investigators also concluded that the 59-year-old's severe asthma and decades of cigarette smoking also caused his inability to fight back the effects of fatal drug use.

In addition, Jarez remarked that his seven children will continue to celebrate his legacy and do right by his name. What's more is that they seemed to express to the public how important it is for audiences to know how much they loved him, and how much that was reciprocated. Not only was he a dominant presence on stage, but a positive force on his family. Though he died without a will, these individuals are his "probable beneficiaries" according to reports.

Coolio's Cause Of Death Revealed, His Legacy Lives On

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 10: Rapper Coolio poses for a portrait at the SiriusXM Studios on September 10, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)

The hip-hop world shed a collective tear when news broke of his loss, whether from fellow veterans or a newer generation. In fact, the "Gangsta's Paradise" MC's influence ranged so widely that his colleagues in the acting space also fondly remembered his legacy. For example, Michelle Pfeiffer, Martin Lawrence, and Melissa Joan Hart were among other entertainment titans to pay their respects. When it came to the rappers he influenced, collaborated with, or was inspired by, many of them took to social media and beyond and gave their tributes. These include Snoop Dogg, Flavor Flav, Killer Mike, LL Cool J, Ice-T, Ice Cube, Denzel Curry, Questlove, and many more.

What was perhaps most heartbreaking about messages from fellow MCs was how they remarked that they had a conversation with him just days before, or that they were looking forward to performing alongside him soon. Since his passing, the release of posthumous music points toward his legacy preserving in the public eye. Even if we never hear another new Coolio song, he set his impact in stone for generations to come. Let us know your favorite Coolio memories in the comments and return to HNHH for the latest on the late MC.

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About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a music and pop culture news writer for HotNewHipHop. He started in 2022 as a weekend writer and, since joining the team full-time, has developed a strong knowledge in hip-hop news and releases. Whether it’s regular coverage or occasional interviews and album reviews, he continues to search for the most relevant news for his audience and find the best new releases in the genre. What excites him the most is finding pop culture stories of interest, as well as a deeper passion for the art form of hip-hop and its contemporary output. Specifically, Gabriel enjoys the fringes of rap music: the experimental, boundary-pushing, and raw alternatives to the mainstream sound. As a proud native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he also stays up-to-date with the archipelago’s local scene and its biggest musical exponents in reggaetón, salsa, indie, and beyond. Before working at HotNewHipHop, Gabriel produced multiple short documentaries, artist interviews, venue spotlights, and audio podcasts on a variety of genres and musical figures. Hardcore punk and Go-go music defined much of his coverage during his time at the George Washington University in D.C. His favorite hip-hop artists working today are Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, JPEGMAFIA, and Earl Sweatshirt.