Coolio's Children Are His Great Legacy - One of His Sons Is Also a Rapper

Beloved and famed American rapper, Coolio, has sadly passed on at the age of 59. The award-winning artist was at a friend's house in Los Angeles when he was pronounced dead toward the end of this month.

Paramedics initially thought the rapper had suffered cardiac arrest; however, the cause of death is yet to be determined. During the last years of his life, Coolio, who gave the world a glimpse of his private life on his reality TV show "Coolio's Rules," was actively engaged in his craft.

His long-standing and new fans delighted in engaging with the artists' work, and although he may no longer be alive, Coolio leaves behind his many children, one of which has also followed in his footsteps as a hip-hop artist.

As much as the artist was a pioneer in the hip-hop music scene, his children were not afraid to be upfront about his music, especially their disapproval. Still, his musical prowess was a force to be reckoned with, earning him several prestigious accolades in his prime.

One of his all-time classics, "Gangsta Paradise," recently hit a whopping one billion views on YouTube. After celebrating the impressive 30-year milestone, Coolio expressed his gratitude to his fans for their love and support. "Gangsta Paradise" also appeared in Michelle Pfieffer's film "Dangerous Minds."

After receiving the news of his death, the film producer shared a tribute commemorating the late rapper by posting the music video to the song. One of his most recent projects was his reality show, which showcased what it was like living with four teenagers.

Who Are Coolio's Children?

Artis Leon Ivey Jr., otherwise more popularly known as Coolio, drew his first breath in Compton, California. The artist grew up in that city and later fell in love with Josefa Salinas, and the pair tied the knot in 1996. However, after only four years, the couple divorced in 2000.

During their time together, Coolio and Salinas welcomed three daughters and a son. However, the late rapper also fathered six other children with several unnamed women through some reported infidelities.

Jackie, Artis, Brandi, and Artisha, who have taken the rapper's last name, were born to Coolio's ex-wife, Josefa Salinas. The rest of Coolio's kids are Grtis, Brandi, Zhaneand, twins Kate and Shayne, Artisha, and Artis Ivey III.

Grtis Ivey is Coolio's eldest son; however, he went by Artis in "Coolio's Rules," per TMZ. According to a 2012 report by the outlet, Ivey broke into a tenant's apartment with a sex worker named Shantrice Wilkerson.

TMZ obtained a police report detailing the circumstances around the incident. Wilkerson had initiated a sexual relationship with the tenant, Joseph Hall, three nights before. However, it went awry when the sex worker asked for money.

Per TMZ, Hall didn't know Shantrice was a sex worker until after they left the club, so he declined and left. Afterward, Wilkerson called Ivey to accompany her back to Hall's place, where they only found his roommate.

They intimidated the apartment's co-tenant at gunpoint, forcing him into the bathroom and stealing several gadgets and items. Thankfully, the co-tenant recognized them both and reported the incident. The LV Police Department arrested them in Nevada.

For their actions, Ivey and Wilkerson were charged with several serious offenses, including first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a deadly weapon, and grand theft. Ivey was denied bail at the time while he awaited his trial.

The late hip-hop artist fathered another son who followed in his footsteps, Milan Ivey. Milan is a New York University alumnus and successful rapper who goes by Pharoah Santana. After graduating, he held a few shows across the US.

Milan posted a loving tribute to his dad following his death. The rest of Coolio's children live privately, unlike their other siblings. There haven't been any reported scandals involving them, and they prefer to stay away from the limelight.

Coolio raised his children through tough love and once controversially revealed how much of a strict parent he was. The rapper stated that his children needed bullies, attesting that bullies helped him develop a thick skin and stay out of trouble.

Coolio was just as strict regarding dating, especially with his daughters, even after they passed adolescence. According to People, Coolio wanted all potential boyfriends not to expect anything from his daughters whatsoever.

The rapper once recalled a story about walking in on Artisha, who was getting quite comfortable on a boy's lap. Coolio said he picked up a pool table leg to intimidate the young lovers and instructed Artisha to get off the boy's lap.

Artisha protested, saying she was 20 years old. Per People, the late rapper responded:

She was like, ‘I’m 20 years old!’ I was like, 'You better get yourself a 20-year-old house then!'"

As a Child, Coolio's Son Criticized His Music

Coolio's children weren't afraid to be brutally honest with their dad regarding his music; they always gave him honest feedback. They've been described as being among some of his harshest critics. Per the Seatle Times, Coolio recounted:

“Sometimes when I ask them (his children), ‘How do you feel about this song?’ And they will say straight up, ‘That’s whack.’”

The family reality show "Coolio's Rules" starred four of the late rapper's children - Artisha, Artis, Brandi, and Jackie Ivey - the eldest kids from his first marriage. The show offers a personal glimpse into the goings about of the Ivey family.

Moreover, Coolio demonstrated how he juggled being a musician, an entrepreneur, and a father. The rapper's career was experiencing a decline when the concept of "Coolio's Rules" was born, so he decided to pursue it.

"Coolio's Rules" had a lot of comedic and sitcom-like moments, which were part of its authenticity, as Coolio wanted it to be. It depicted the family bonding over food and cooking, sharing jokes, and awkward conversations with his daughters about boys and dating.

Coolio's dad wasn't exactly exemplary, and the rapper was aware of that. Coolio didn't want to carry on that legacy, which made the show's premise even more personal for the artist. Hence it was important to him to show the world he could be the father he never had.

However, his son, Artis, didn't always approve of some of his actions or music; the pair have polar opposite personalities. Artis's nature is more reserved, while Coolio's, as Artis admitted, was the exact opposite, especially in public.

Per The Seattle Times, Artis explained that his dad enjoyed being "flamboyant," "outgoing," and "wild." Still, despite their differences, Artis found it within himself to appreciate his dad's outward traits and shared that he thought Coolio was "cool" overall.

Coolio's Career

Coolio was a successful artist who sourced his myriad of experiences in Compton as inspiration for his craft. He earned six Grammy award nominations throughout the mid-90s and has sold over 17 million records worldwide.

Among those Grammy nominations, Coolio secured one for "Gangsta's Paradise" in 1996 for Best Rap Performance. He's also toured globally, holding concerts in the US, Africa, Asia, and Europe. His career reached its peak eventually, and his success began to decline, but he found ways to keep himself going.

Coolio Dead at 59

After leading a legendary and memorable career, being one of the many figures that influenced pop and hip-hop culture right to the end, Coolio died at age 59 on the 29th of this month.

Coolio, who has also collaborated with LL Cool J, remained dedicated to his craft until he drew his last breath. The late artist shared a 19-minute video of his last performance just days before his death. His ten children survive him, two of which his musical legacy will live through.