Coolio

b. Artis Ivey, 1 August 1963, Compton, Los Angeles, California, USA. Boasting a long, though infrequently recorded, career in hip-hop, rapper Coolio's career finally took off after attending rehabilitation classes in an attempt to kick his cocaine habit. Coolio started making music again with WC And The MADD Circle, contributing to their 1991 release, Ain't A Damn Thang Changed (he would also perform on one track on their belated follow-up, 1995's Curb Servin' ). He then joined the 40 Thevz, a hip-hop community made up of producers, rappers and dancers who would collaborate with him on all his recordings. Along with his friend DJ Bryan "Wino" Dobbs, Coolio signed to Tommy Boy Records who released the single "County Line" about his experiences on welfare assistance. "Fantastic Voyage", based on Lakeside's 1980 hit, became a Top 5 single, and Coolio's profile was further enhanced by an autumn tour with R&B megastar R. Kelly.