Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Artis Leon Ivey Jr., better known to the world as Coolio. Born on August 1, 1963, Coolio became one of the defining voices of 1990s hip-hop, bridging the gap between the streets and the mainstream with a style that was uniquely his own. From the feel-good energy of “Fantastic Voyage” to the global phenomenon “Gangsta’s Paradise,” his music reached millions while proving that hip-hop could be commercially successful without losing its

Black Ice was a powerful voice in spoken word and performance poetry whose influence reached far beyond the stage. We honor his legacy, celebrate his contributions to hip-hop and poetry, and remember an artist whose words continue to inspire audiences around the world.