Award-winning rapper Coolio's cause of death has been confirmed as a fentanyl overdose, his manager stated yesterday.

The rapper– one of the biggest names on the 90s hip-hop scene– died at 59 late last year at a friends residence in Los Angeles, overdosing on the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. The drug has recently become a huge concern for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as it is increasingly being cut into less potent street drugs like cocaine and MDMA.

Coolio's long-time manager Jarez Posey affirmed the cause of death to the Associated Press, adding that the 'Gangsta's Paradise' performer also had traces of heroin and methamphetamine in his system. The rapper's tendency to smoke with asthma also played a role, Posey confirmed.

Coolio performing at Zampas in Temple Bar, July 2022. Photo Credit: Emily Greenberg

Coolio had a special connection to Ireland, revealing, before his death, that he would always travel to the Island after finishing his European tours. For over two decades, the American performer visited Dublin, making a myriad of media appearances and collaborating with a slew of Irish artists.

Ringsend rap duo Versatile recently paid tribute to the artist at their 3Arena performance with gangsta-rapper Snoop Dogg, performing the group's collaboration 'Escape Wagon.' The song's accompanying video– which featured the passed artist– was projected to the monitor, filmed three prior in the duo's home - an area Coolio (strangely) identified as the “Compton of Europe".

Coolio was a cultural staple to many, nominated for a total of six Grammys during his career. His album sales totalled 4.8 million, with 'Gangsta's Paradise' becoming one of the most popular albums of all time.

His first posthumous album, Long Live Coolio, is set to be released later this year.