According to old manager: American rapper Coolio died of the drug fentanyl

According to his old manager, American rapper Coolio, who became world famous with the song “Gangsta’s Paradise”, is said to have died of the opioid fentanyl, among other things. “Coolio’s loved ones just got word from the coroner — fentanyl killed the rapper — and he also had traces of heroin and methamphetamine,” Jarez Posey told TMZ.

In addition, the artist’s “severe asthma and decades of cigarette consumption” also played a role in his death. His body was unable to fight back, the old family friend said.

The rapper, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jrunter, collapsed in the bathroom of a friend’s house on September 28 in Los Angeles. He was 59 years old. His surprise death caused consternation in the music scene. Numerous rappers such as Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and MC Hammer had spoken out.

Coolio had a number one hit in 1995 with “Gangsta’s Paradise”. The song, which is based on Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise” and also featured on the soundtrack of the movie “Dangerous Minds” starring Michelle Pfeiffer, earned him a Grammy. He also had success with songs like “Fantastic Voyage” and “I Remember”. He also acted in TV series and movies. The rapper has come into contact with the law several times for illegal possession of drugs and weapons.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. It is a driver of the opioid crisis in the US, which kills tens of thousands every year. Just two milligrams of fentanyl — the small amount that fits on the tip of a pencil — is considered a potentially lethal dose, according to the DEA.

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is approved for the treatment of severe pain, usually associated with advanced cancer. However, illegally manufactured fentanyl is sold in illicit drug markets for its heroin-like effects, and is often mixed with heroin or other drugs such as cocaine, or compressed into counterfeit prescription pills. (sda/dpa)