Coolio’s family, which included all his children and baby mamas, hosted a secret funeral and party where they danced to Gangsta’s paradise, The U.S. Sun.
Relatives, close friends and family attended the ceremony held in Pasadena, California, three weeks ago most of them wearing black t-shirts with Coolio’s face on and the words “Coolio Forever”.
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Coolio died from a suspected heart attack in September 28th. An official autopsy is currently underway.
His funeral on October 15 took place at the Mountain View Mortuary & Cemetery followed by a party at an unknown location where his kids mixed with Coolio’s buddies from the hip-hop industry.
Some posted photos of groups holding the service booklet, which had a photo of Coolio looking up to “paradise” and the words “Artis Leon Ivey Jr, Coolio, Rest In Gangsta’s Paradise, August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022”.
The 59-year-old legend’s last partner Mimi Ivey revealed to the Daily Mail after his death that he didn’t want a funeral, saying: “I’m respecting his wishes. He wanted to be buried. He didn’t want a funeral and he didn’t want a memorial ceremony. He didn’t want any of that.”
Yet the family won over and hosted a party to remember him by with his eldest son Artise III – the only family member to speak out so far -telling The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview: “We’re going to have a personal memorial for family and close friends.
“He wanted a party and for everybody to celebrate his life, play music, just fill up the room and smile, have a good time.”
Mimi posted a photo on Instagram on the day of the funeral posing in a specially made blue “Coolio, Rest in Paradise” T-shirt, designed by Las Vegas’ “Airbrush King” using graffiti paint.
All of Coolio’s family were there with his children all together in a photo that a couple of them posted online.
The kids wore more formal black attire to the funeral, but Coolio tees for the party.
Some of his baby mamas were there including “Dimp,” who is the mother of kids Brandi, Artis III and Jackie.
Melan, also known as Pharaoh Santana and Darius, were among the other children present.
Coolio’s brother, film director Malieek Straughter, dressed smartly in a black suit and tie, posed for photos with his rap pals such as Teach Tribe.
The rapper was pronounced dead just before 5pm on September 28 after being found unresponsive in a friend’s apartment bathroom in Los Angeles.
EMTs attempted CPR for him when his body was discovered. But, after about 45 minutes, he was declared deceased.
It later emerged Coolio had flown from Las Vegas for a double celebration of his son Artis Ivey III’s birthday, who was turning 33, and one of his grandchildren’s first birthday.
Tragically, just hours before seeing his family in morning, he suddenly died in afternoon at the young age of 59.
The mega-hit Gangsta’s Paradise was recorded by him for Dangerous Minds, starring Michelle Pfeiffer in 1995. It went on to be one of the most popular rap songs ever.
Coolio was awarded the Grammy for best solo rap performance in 1996. The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks.
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