Coolio's final release is a posthumous album featuring contributions from the likes of Naughty By Nature's Treach, Da Lench Mob's J-Dee, and Ras Kass.
Coolio, the Grammy award-winning MC behind the '90s hits "Gangsta's Paradise" and "Fantastic Voyage," is set to release his upcoming album: "Long Live Coolio".
On Friday (July 7), The Associated Press was given exclusive access to the 11-song track list, showing who will be featured on the LP when it arrives later this year.
Per Billboard, "The Star Is Born", is an epic collaboration between three icons: Treach from Naughty By Nature, MC Shan, and the longtime producer/collaborator of Coolio, DJ Wino.
As well as being an incredibly catchy track in its own right, it doubles up as an interesting look into how Coolio achieved superstar status. The accompanying visuals for this song were recorded in Las Vegas.
According to Treach, "When I heard Coolio's verse, I'm like, 'Yo, it feels like the homie is still here," while displaying proudly on his chest was a portrait tattoo of fellow label-mate Coolio.
"How do we want people to think of him? We just want them to always think of him. That's what it's about - keeping your homies' names in the streets."
Tupac just got a star in Hollywood. We don't just say it when our brothers are here. We say it until we meet up with them again."
Coolio reportedly raps in "The Star Is Born."
"Went from Old Man to Boo Daddy to Coolio. At the age of 18 I hit the studio KDAY I'm on the radio."
Meanwhile, DJ Wino said, "Coolio told his story in the second verse. This song was not meant to be posthumous."
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Coolio Dead
In September 2022, the Los Angeles County coroner's office announced that Coolio had passed away from a toxic mix of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.
His death was ruled accidental. Subsequently, in March 2023, it was revealed that the hip-hop icon had been hard at work on an album in the days before his untimely death.
To complete "Long Live Coolio," 75% of the album was already in place by Coolio himself, as per what was said by Wino. "He laid it out there for us," he commented. "It was up to us to come through, and like good little foot soldiers we followed up."
'Long Live Coolio' Track List
"Shine On Me"
"Got That"
"Notice Me" (feat. Ras Kass)
"Fast Pace" (feat. Kid Frost)
"I'm Wit That BS" (feat. J-Dee from Da Lench Mob)
"TAG You It" (feat. Too $hort)
"A Star Is Born" (feat. Treach from Naughty By Nature)
"Belly of the Beast" (feat. Cejaz Negraz)
"Snitch'N"
"Stand Up Beat It Hit It" (feat. Jay Chris)
"R Thentic" (feat. Kurupt & Chill)
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