Coolio early life, relationships, net worth, and more
Who is Coolio?
We like to talk about people who inspire us now and then, but primarily people that may motivate you to be the best version of yourself. There are people worldwide that raise our expectations and demonstrate that everything is possible if we work hard. Artis Leon Ivey Junior, popularly known as Coolio, is a well-known and well-liked rapper and record producer. In the late 1990s, he rose to fame and popularity. It takes a Thief (1994) and My Soul (1995) are two of his major works from the 1990s (1997).

Quick facts
Full name | Artis Leon Ivey Jr. |
Known as | Coolio |
Birthday | August 1, 1963 |
Age | 60 years old |
Sun sign | Leo |
Place of birth | Compton, California, United States |
Education | Compton Community College |
early life and childhood
Artis Leon Ivey was born to carpenter Artis Leon Ivey Sr. and factory worker Jackie Slater on August 1, 1963. Similarly, Coolio is his screen identity and nickname.
Coolio was born in the city of Compton, California, and he is a devout Christian.

Additionally, Coolio struggled to adjust to life outside of his house, despite being intelligent, intellectual, and well-informed. He didn’t come from a wealthy household, so he tried his hand at odd occupations like a firefighter volunteer and security guard before deciding to try his hand at rapping.
Initially, Coolio joined the Baby Crips street gang and tried to project a wild and aggressive image by bringing weapons to school. Moreover, his studies worsened after being imprisoned for six months for robbery.
After high school, he attended Compton Community College, where he revived his passion for rap and competed in contests under the moniker “Coolio Iglesias.” He also performed on KDA, L.A.’s rap radio station.
Furthermore, he went to rehab to get help for his cocaine addiction, which hampered his growing rapper career. He took various jobs after coming out but was desperate to resurrect his rap career.
Relationships and dating history
Coolie married Josefa Salinas in 1996 and was with her for four years. However, things soon deteriorated, resulting in divisions, and in the year 2000, the couple split up.
Coolio is the father of ten children from four different relationships and hasn’t always been an excellent role model for his kids. In 2013, he was charged with violence after allegedly hitting his girlfriend.
He is the father of a pair of identical twin daughters. Shayne Ivey and Kate Ivey are the names of their twin daughters. Similarly, they have eight half-sisters and brothers named Artisha, Zhanesand, Darius, Artis, Milan, Brandi, Grtis, and Jackie.
However, by 2021, the majority of the children will be grown up and live independently after completing their schooling.
Coolio career
He began recording his debut song in 1987, which was named “Whatcha going to do?” Similarly, he recorded “Force Groove” a year later.
In 1991, he joined W.C. and the Maad circle and started his career as a rapper. With this group, he gained the taste of popularity when he performed the solo “Dress Code.” The significant works of Coolio are mentioned on the same page down below.
Moreover, in 1996, he received American music awards. In the same year, for “Gangsta Paradise,” he won his first and only Grammy award for best rap solo performance.
net worth
Grammy-winning American rapper and actor Coolio has a net worth of USD 500,000.

Legal issues
In 1998, Coolio went to prison for the first time for robbery. Similarly, he was charged for having a loaded handgun once more in 2016.
Social media presence
Coolio Instagram: He has 96.1 thousand followers on Instagram.
Coolio Twitter: he has 173.3 thousand followers on Twitter.
Facebook: 398,216 people follow him on Facebook.
Coolio’s albums:
Album name (released year) | Songs list |
---|---|
It Takes a Thief (1994) | Fantastic Voyage (Timber mix) County Line Mama, I’m in Love with a Gangsta (featuring LeShaun) Hand on My Nutsac Smokin’ Stix Can-o-Corn U Know Hoo! (featuring WC) It Takes a Thief Bring Back Somethin’ fo da Hood N da Closet On My Way to Harlem Sticky Fingers Thought You Knew Ugly Bitches I Remember (featuring J-Ro and Billy Boy) |
Gangsta’s Paradise (1995) | That’s How It Is Geto Highlites Gangsta’s Paradise Too Hot Cruisin’ Exercise Yo Game 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New) Smilin’ Fucc Coolio Kinda High Kinda Drunk For My Sistas Is This Me? A Thing Goin’ On Bright As the Sun Recoup This The Revolution Get Up, Get Down |
My Soul (1997) | Intro 2 Minutes & 21 Seconds of Funk One Mo (featuring 40 Thevz) The Devil is Dope Hit ‘Em (featuring Ras Kass) Knight Fall Ooh La La Can U Dig It Nature of the Business (featuring Al Wilson) Homeboy (featuring Montell Jordan) Throwdown 2000 (featuring 40 Thevz) Can I Get Down One Time (featuring Malika) Interlude My Soul Let’s Do It C U When U Get There (featuring 40 Thevz) |
Coolio.com (2001) | I Like Girls Yo-Ho-Ho Gangbangers (featuring Daz Dillinger & Spade) Show Me Love The Hustler (featuring Kenny Rogers) Right Now The Partay Dead Man Walking Life Would You Still Be Mine Skirrrrrrrt (featuring B-Real) Ghetto Square Dance These are the Days Somebody’s Gotta Die (featuring Krayzie Bone) (bonus track) |
El Cool Magnifico (2002) | What is an MC Shake It Up Cadillac Vogues Show Me Love I Like Girls Ghetto Square Dance Would You Still Be Mine Sunshine Hear Me Now Island Hop Like This” (feat. Ms. Toi) Skirrrt (feat. B-Real) Knockout Kings Produced By Crimelab Production Gangbangers (feat. Daz Dillinger & Spade) Pop Yo Collar |
The Return of the Gangsta (2006) | Intro Let It Go Gangsta Walk (featuring Snoop Dogg and Gangsta Lu) Do It (featuring Goast) Drop Something (featuring Braza) Bloops Make Money (featuring Gangsta Lu) Lady & Gangsta (featuring K-La) Daddy’s Song (featuring Artisha) One More Night (featuring LV) Loosemobile Dip It (featuring Gangsta Lu) Keep on Dancing 187% WRPM Keep It Gangsta They Don’t Know (featuring Black Orchid) West Coast Anthem Outro Gangsta Walk (Video) Hear Me Now (Japanese exclusive bonus track) |
Steal Hear (2008) | Gangsta Walk (featuring Snoop Dogg and Gangsta Lu) Cruise Off They Don’t Know (featuring Black Orchid) It’s On Boyfriend (featuring A.I.) Do It (featuring Goast) Lady and a Gangsta (featuring K-La) Make Money (featuring Gangsta Lu) Back It Up Now (featuring Vizhun, Goast and Emo) Keep on Dancing Dip It (featuring Gangsta Lu) Motivation (featuring A.I.) One More Night (featuring L.V.) Here We Come Keep It Gangsta |
From the Bottom 2 the Top (2009) | Change Vs Ennio Morricone I Will (feat. 6’9 & Headliner) From the Bottom 2 the Top” (feat. Goast & A.I.) Hotel C. Lady Vs Beat Nouveau (feat. Storm Lee) Boyfriend (feat. A.I.) Destinesya Vs Yves Larock (feat. Sam Obernik) Cruise Off Motivation (feat. A.I.) Stimulate (feat. Miss Cash) She Loves Me |
Hotel C. (2015) | Stimulate Cruise Off She Loves Me Destinesya I Will From The Bottom 2 The Top Hotel C. Ghetto Square Dance |
Nobody’s Foolio (2019) | She Loves Me I Will From The Bottom 2 The Top Hotel C. Lady Boyfriend Destinesya Cruise Off Motivation Stimulate Bonus |
Ain’t a Damn Thang Changed- a collaboration album with WC and the Maad Circle (1991) | Intro Ain’t A Damn Thang Changed The Break Up (Skit) (featuring Cassanova Jeff) Behind Closed Doors (featuring Dawn Silva, Jackie Simley & M.L. Davis) Out On A Furlough (featuring Cassanova Jeff, Jazzy D & Mike) A Crazy Break (featuring J-Dee) Caught N A Fad Fuck My Daddy (featuring Foe Doe Taylor & Lil’ Dee) Back On The Scene Get Up On That Funk (featuring Jazzy D) Gettin’ Looped / Dress Code Smokers La La Bye (featuring Kaeco) You Don’t Work, U Don’t Eat (featuring J-Dee, MC Eiht & Ice Cube) Grandma Locked Out (Skit) Ghetto Serenade Back To The Underground A Soldiers Story (featuring Dawn Silva, Jackie Simley & M.L. Davis) |
Movies and TV shows that Coolio appeared on:
Title (Year) | Stars | Creator/ Directors |
---|---|---|
The Parent ‘Hood (1995-1999) | Robert Townsend, Suzzanne Douglas | Andrew Nicholls, Robert Townsend, Darrell Vickers |
Space: Above and Beyond (1996) | Kristen Cloke, Morgan Weisser, Rodney Rowland, Joel de la Fuente | Glen Morgan, James Wong |
Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996) | Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nate Richert | Nell Scovell |
Kenan and Kel (1996–2000) | Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Ken Foree, Teal Marchande, Vanessa Baden, Dan Frischman | Kim Bass |
Batman & Robin (1997) | Arnold Schwarzenegger George Clooney Chris O’Donnell Uma Thurman Alicia Silverstone Michael Gough Pat Hingle Elle Macpherson | Joel Schumacher |
Duckman (1997) | Jason Alexander Gregg Berger Nancy Travis Dana Hill Pat Musick E. G. Daily Dweezil Zappa | Everett Peck |
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997) | Ryan O’Neal Coolio Chuck D Eric Idle Sylvester Stallone Whoopi Goldberg Jackie Chan | Arthur Hiller |
Muppets Tonight (1997) | Dave Goelz Brian Henson Jerry Nelson Steve Whitmire Kevin Clash Bill Barretta Frank Oz Leslie Carrara-Rudolph | Greg V. Fera Brian Henson Tom Trbovich Gary Halvorson |
The Nanny (1998) | Fran Drescher Charles Shaughnessy Daniel Davis Lauren Lane Nicholle Tom Benjamin Salisbury Madeline Zima Renée Taylor Rachel Chagall Ann Morgan Guilbert | Peter Marc Jacobson Fran Drescher |
On the Line (1998) | Linda Hamilton Jeff Fahey Jay Acovone Coolio Paul Herman Dean Norris | Elodie Keene |
Belly (1998) | Nas DMX Taral Hicks T-Boz Method Man | Hype Williams |
Malcolm & Eddie (1996-2000) | Malcolm-Jamal Warner Eddie Griffin Karen Malina White | Joel Madison |
Judgment Day (1999) | Ice-T Suzy Amis Mario Van Peebles Coolio Tommy “Tiny” Lister | John Terlesky |
Early Edition (1999) | Kyle Chandler Shanésia Davis-Williams Fisher Stevens Kristy Swanson Billie Worley | Ian Abrams Patrick Q. Page Vik Rubenfeld |
Bad Trip (1999) | Ethan Suplee Kevin Connolly Coolio Kristin Minter | Erik Fleming, Chris Palzis |
Leprechaun in the Hood (2000) | Warwick Davis Ice-T Coolio | Rob Spera |
Submerged (2000) | Coolio Nicole Eggert | Fred Olen Ray |
Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth (2000) | Tiffani-Amber Thiessen Tom Arnold Coolio Shirley Jones | John Blanchard |
The Convent (2000) | Joanna Canton Adrienne Barbeau Richard Trapp Dax Miller | Mike Mendez |
China Strike Force (2000) | Aaron Kwok Norika Fujiwara Leehom Wang Ruby Lin Coolio Mark Dacascos Paul Chun | Stanley Tong |
Dope Case Pending (2000) | Coolio Tony Dorian Eli James Sean Levert Kid Frost | Jeff Williams, Patrick McKnight |
Get Over It (2001) | Kirsten Dunst Ben Foster Melissa Sagemiller Shane West Colin Hanks Martin Short | Tommy O’Haver |
In Pursuit (2001) | Daniel Baldwin Claudia Schiffer Coolio Dean Stockwell | Peter Pistor |
Fear Factor (2001-2006) -Game Show | ||
Static Shock (2002) | Phil LaMarr Jason Marsden Kevin Michael Richardson Michele Morgan | Denys Cowan Joe Sichta Dave Chlystek |
Stealing Candy (2003) | Daniel Baldwin Coolio Alex McArthur Jenya Lano | Mark L. Lester |
Charmed Season 4 ‘Lazarus Demon (2002) | Alyssa Milano Rose McGowan Holly Marie Combs | Chris Long |
Move (2002) | Cris Bruce Lileé Anderson Larry Bagby | Antonia March, Jacqueline McKinley |
Daredevil (2003) (deleted scenes restored in 2004 director’s cut) | Ben Affleck Jennifer Garner Michael Clarke Duncan Colin Farrell Joe Pantoliano Jon Favreau David Keith | Mark Steven Johnson |
Tapped Out (2003) | Alex Avant Jimmy Bridges Kasan Butcher Coolio Alleta Darby Michelle | Georgio |
Charmed (2002) | Shannen Doherty Holly Marie Combs Alyssa Milano T.W. King Dorian Gregory Greg Vaughan Karis Paige Bryant | Constance M. Burge |
Pterodactyl (2003) | Cameron Daddo Coolio Amy Sloan George Calil Mircea Monroe Steve Braun | Mark L. Lester |
Red Water (2003) | Lou Diamond Phillips Kristy Swanson Coolio Jaimz Woolvett Rob Boltin Langley Kirkwood Gideon Emery Charles Dumas | Charles Robert Carner |
A Wonderful Night in Split (2004) | Dino Dvornik Marija Škaričić Coolio Mladen Vulić | Arsen Anton Ostojić |
Dracula 3000 (2004) | Casper Van Dien Erika Eleniak Tom “Tiny” Lister Coolio Udo Kier Alexandra Kamp Grant Swanby Langley Kirkwood | Darrell Roodt |
Ravedactyl: Project Evolution (2005); short film | Coolio Donald Faison Edna Harris David Prowse | Graig F. Weich |
Gang Warz (2006) | Robert Vaughn Coolio | Chris McIntyre |
Grad Night (2006) | Coolio Aloma Wright Sam Sarpong Howard Mungo | Michael T. Fitzgerald Jr. |
Three Days to Vegas (2007) | Peter Falk Rip Torn George Segal Bill Cobbs | Charlie Picerni |
Futurama: Bender’s Big Score, as Kwanzaa-bot | Billy West Katey Sagal John DiMaggio Phil LaMarr Lauren Tom | Dwayne Carey-Hill |
I Am Somebody: No Chance in Hell (2008) (original title: Chinaman’s Chance) | Reggie Lee Timothy Bottoms Jason Connery | Aki Aleong |
Coolio’s Rules (2008) | Coolio and his family | |
Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off (2012) | Rachael Ray Guy Fieri | |
Two Hundred Thousand Dirty (2012) | Coolio Rocío Verdejo Alejandro Lozano Kenneth McGregor | Timothy L. Anderson |
Gravity Falls (2012-2016) | Jason Ritter Kristen Schaal Alex Hirsch Linda Cardellini | Alex Hirsch |
Wife Swap (2004-2013) | Hosted by : John Schwab and Brian Lee | |
ICP Theater (2013) | Michelle Rapp Shaggy 2 Dope Greg Valentine | |
American Hustle Life (2014) | Tony D Jones Jamal Quezaire BTS (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook) | |
Black Jesus (2014) | Gerald “Slink” Johnson Charlie Murphy John Witherspoon Kali Hawk Corey Holcomb | Aaron McGruder Mike Clattenburg |
Squidbillies (2017) | Voice actors: Unknown Hinson, Daniel McDevitt, Dana Snyder, Patricia French, Bobby Ellerbee | Jim Fortier Dave Willis |
Coolio awards and nominations:
Award | Category | Status |
---|---|---|
American Music Awards | Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist for “Coolio” (1996) | Won |
American Music Awards | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist for “Coolio” (1996) | Nominated |
Grammy Awards | Best Rap Solo Performance for “Fantastic Voyage” (1995) | Nominated |
Grammy Awards | Record of the Year for “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1996) | Nominated |
Grammy Awards | Best Rap Solo Performance for “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1996) | Won |
Grammy Awards | Best Rap Album for “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1997) | Nominated |
Grammy Awards | Best Rap Solo Performance for “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1997) | Nominated |
Grammy Awards | Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Stomp” (1997) | Nominated |
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Rap Video for “Fantastic Voyage” (1994) | Nominated |
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Rap Video for “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1996) | Won |
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Video from a Film for “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1996) | Won |
MTV Video Music Awards | Viewer’s Choice for “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1996) | Nominated |
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Dance Video for “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996) | Won |
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Male Video for “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996) | Nominated |