Artis Leon Ivey Jr., more widely known as Coolio, passed away earlier today from suspected cardiac arrest.
His 1995 mega-hit, Gangster's Paradise, made the Compton rapper a household name, and in recent years he had developed a particular affinity with Ireland.
He has collabed and performed with Irish hip-hop group Versatile, and was recently filmed performing an impromptu live-set at Conor McGregor's Black Forge Inn.
Following his passing, a fantastic clip of the rapper performing on RTE in 2002 has been widely shared on Twitter.
Coolio was allegedly booked by accident on the daytime show, Open House, hosted by Marty Whelan. Backing dancers were not booked either for the performance, and instead they dressed up members of the production crew to stand-in.
Earlier, Marty Whelan shared a clip of the performance and some memories of that day:
“Ah Coolio, I remember him with great fondness. To have him dancing with the staff was quite the moment. Which they did willingly. The very idea of introducing Coolio on afternoon television shows you how innovative RTÉ has always been…”
Ah Coolio, I remember him with great fondness. To have him dancing with the staff was quite the moment. Which they did willingly. The very idea of introducing Coolio on afternoon television shows you how innovative RTÉ has always been… https://t.co/bseUfubzok
— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) September 29, 2022
READ HERE: 'Coolio' Is Now A Celtic Fan After Big Day Out In (Gangsta's) Paradise
Coolio recently did in an interview with the Irish Examiner where he spoke of his love for Dublin.
“On my days off on tour, when I’m in Europe — instead of going back to America for a couple of days, I come to Dublin. And I spend my time here. I can pull a proper pint. I can do it with the best of them.
“I walk about. I go to friends of mine. I go to clubs and bars. I talk to the people on the street. I hang out. I meet some nice, nice-looking women. I have a pint. I can pull a proper pint. I can do it with the best of them.”
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