Entertainment
Coolio: Michelle Pfeiffer and Snoop Dogg lead tributes to Gangsta’s Paradise rapper
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[GETTY IMAGES] Coolio recorded eight studio albums and won an American Music Award and three MTV Video Music Awards
Stars including Michelle Pfeiffer and Snoop Dogg have been paying tribute to the US rapper Coolio who has died at the age of 59.
He was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend’s LA house, his manager Jarez Posey told US media.
Coolio, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr, won a Grammy for the 1995 track Gangsta’s Paradise, which led the soundtrack for Dangerous Minds.
Pfeiffer, who starred in the movie, said she was “heartbroken” at the news.
The exact cause of his death on Wednesday has not yet been revealed.
However Mr Posey told TMZ, which first reported the news, that paramedics believed he may have had a cardiac arrest.
Pfeiffer said she thought Coolio’s track was the “reason our film saw so much success” and that she still gets “chills” whenever she hears it.
“Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist Coolio,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing a clip from the famous music video, which sees her sitting across the table from Coolio as he raps.
“A life cut entirely too short,” she continued. “I remember him being nothing but gracious.”
Dangerous Minds saw Pfeiffer play an ex-Marine who becomes a teacher working on a pilot programme for teenagers who are bright but underachieving, in a tough, inner-city school.
Coolio’s haunting track from it, which samples the Stevie Wonder song Pastime Paradise, continues to be widely listened to and has just passed a billion streams on Spotify, according to his official website.
It begins with Coolio reciting a line from the bible – “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” – before spinning off into a wide-ranging rap which finds him questioning the actions of those around him and wondering if he will “live to see 24”.
The film grossed nearly £85m (£78m) worldwide and the track became the biggest-selling record of the year in the US, in 1995, and Coolio was awarded the Grammy for best rap solo performance.
Snoop Dogg shared a picture of the two posing on the set of the music video for Gangsta Walk, a track they collaborated on in 2006.
Fellow rapper and actor Ice Cube said: “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry,” while Vanilla Ice tweeted: “I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away,”
Rapper MC Hammer described Coolio as “one of the nicest dudes I’ve known”.
“Good people. RIP Coolio,” he wrote, sharing a black and white picture of the rapper, and later posting a second picture of the pair together, along with Tupac and Snoop Dogg.
Oscar-winning musician Questlove simply tweeted: “Peaceful Journey Brother.”
Rapper Flavor Flav said he and Coolio had been due to “perform together this Tuesday”, saying his friend was “the West Coast Flavor Flav… He loved telling everyone that.”
Singer Debbie Harry paid tribute by saying: “Rest in power”, while rapper LL Cool J wrote the same message, along with “Love & Respect”. Musician Al Yankovic posted a picture of himself with the late rapper.
oolio started making music in the 80s, but he cemented his place in hip-hop history when he recorded Gangsta’s Paradise, which went on to become one of the most successful rap songs of all time.
A leading figure in the US West Coast rap music scene in the 90s, Coolio was born in Pennsylvania, but grew up in the LA suburb of Compton, where his career flourished.
He rejected the label gangster rapper, and instead embraced the role of an all-round entertainer.
A talented producer and actor, he appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including Celebrity Big Brother in the UK in 2009.
And he even found an outlet for his love of food with a book and internet series, Cooking with Coolio.
Over a career spanning four decades he recorded eight studio albums and won an American Music Award and three MTV Video Music Awards.
His other hits included Fantastic Voyage, Rollin’ With My Homies, 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New), and Too Hot.
He was active right up until his death – Coolio was in the middle of a tour with other 90s stars including Vanilla Ice and Young MC, and they performed in Texas just a few days ago.
Source: BBC
Former Black Stars captain, André Dede Ayew, has called on school children to take their education seriously and look out for one another, saying they hold the future of Ghana in their hands.
Ayew made the remarks on Friday, July 10, during the Miss Ghana Foundation’s nationwide youth mentorship programme held at Martey Tsuru Presbyterian JHS in Accra.
More than 300 pupils took part in sessions focused on patriotism, empathy, resilience, and civic responsibility.
The footballer said he accepted the invitation from the Foundation’s Chairperson, Inna Patty, Esq., because he believes in initiatives that help shape the next generation.
“You are the future of Ghana. You need to take your studies seriously, be smart, work hard and care for one another. A strong nation is built when its people love and support each other,” he told the pupils.
Ayew also emphasized the link between education and good character.
“School is important, but being human and understanding other people is even more important. I see the next presidents, ministers, footballers and leaders sitting here today. The future of our nation is in your hands, so you must be willing to work hard,” he added.
The event was part of the Miss Ghana Foundation’s ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ initiative.
Contestants for Miss Ghana 2026 also addressed the students, encouraging them to embrace empathy, patriotism, resilience, and compassion as they grow into responsible citizens.
The programme received support from award-winning actress Jackie Appiah, who donated cartons of bottled water and soft drinks, while A1 Bread provided refreshments for the children.
Inna Patty thanked Ayew for his participation and said the Foundation will extend the youth mentorship programme to all 16 regions to instill positive values in Ghana’s next generation.
This year’s Miss Ghana pageant marks its 69th edition and is themed: ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy.’
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The heartbeat of Ahanta Heritage Month 2026 will echo through the streets of Agona Nkwanta on Sunday, July 26, as residents and visitors converge for what promises to be one of the biggest outdoor cultural and entertainment experiences in the Western Region.
Dubbed the ‘Ahanta Heritage Street Carnival,’ the event will combine music, culture, entrepreneurship and community celebration in an atmosphere designed to showcase the vibrancy of the Ahanta people while creating opportunities for local businesses and creative talents.
Hosted by the Member of Parliament for Ahanta West Constituency, Mavis Kuukua Bissue, the carnival forms part of the broader Ahanta Heritage Month celebrations aimed at promoting the constituency’s rich cultural identity and strengthening community participation.
Beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Agona Nkwanta, the event will feature an exciting Vendors Market alongside electrifying live stage performances from some of Ghana’s most celebrated entertainers, including Keche Global, Nero X, Kweku Bany and Hyndy.
Organisers say the carnival has been deliberately designed to go beyond entertainment. The Vendors Market will provide a platform for entrepreneurs, artisans, food vendors and small businesses to showcase their products and services while connecting directly with hundreds of patrons expected to attend. It is expected to stimulate local commerce and demonstrate how cultural festivals can contribute meaningfully to economic development.
The event also reflects the broader vision of Ahanta Heritage Month, which seeks to preserve the history of the Ahanta people while creating modern opportunities through tourism, enterprise and the creative economy. As part of the celebrations, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in activities that celebrate Ahanta’s heritage and deepen appreciation for its historical significance.
With an impressive line-up of performers, an energetic street atmosphere and a marketplace that celebrates local enterprise, the Ahanta Heritage Street Carnival is expected to attract music lovers, families, tourists and members of the Ahanta diaspora from across Ghana.
For many, it will be more than an afternoon of entertainment; it will be an opportunity to celebrate identity, support local businesses and experience the warmth, creativity and resilience of the Ahanta people.
On Sunday, July 26, Agona Nkwanta will not simply host a carnival; it will become a living showcase of Ahanta’s heritage, where culture meets commerce, history inspires the present, and music brings an entire community together.
