‘The crowd were loving him’
Coolio was in “great spirits” during a festival performance just days before his death, according to a fan – who got a selfie with the rapper.
Nathan McDougall, 46, watched a performance of Gangsta’s Paradise from backstage at Riot Fest earlier this month.
He later had a brief chat with Coolio, who he said was enjoying himself at the Chicago festival.
Breaks my heart. Didnt know this would be your last performance. Absolutely heartbroken.
RIP Coolio pic.twitter.com/72y4ReLEnH
— gianna ||| (@gwizzle_) September 29, 2022
Sadly the rapper – real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr – died just 10 days later, reportedly after going into cardiac arrest.
Video footage shows the rapper giving his all in what would be one of his last ever performances.
Nathan, a sales representative from Chicago, said: “The crowd were loving him and he gave an amazing performance.
“I caught up with him back stage and he was in great spirits. He told me he enjoyed playing in front of the young crowd.”
The rapper was active right up until his passing and was in the middle of a tour with other 90s stars including Vanilla Ice and Young MC.
Vanilla Ice wrote on Twitter: “I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.”
Snoop Dogg referenced Coolio’s world-famous track in his own tribute, writing, “Gangstas paradise. R I P” and shared a picture of the two posing on the set of the music video for Gangsta Walk, a track they collaborated on in 2006.
Ice Cube wrote: “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry.”
MC Hammer described Coolio as “one of the nicest dudes I’ve known”.
One of the nicest dudes I’ve known.
Good people. R.I.P. Coolio
— MC HAMMER e/acc (@MCHammer) September 29, 2022
“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.
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