Coolio
Coolio is a Compton, USA-born rapper with a chequered past. Boasting of a long, though infrequently recorded, history in hip hop, Coolio can claim to have appeared alongside other west coast luminaries such as Dr Dre when he was still with the World Class Wreckin' Crew. He even signed to Ruthless records for a brief, and once again unproductive spell. His debut release was Whatcha Gonna Do, one of the very first Los Angeles rap records. The next chapter of his career was little more than a relationship with freebase cocaine. After attending rehabilitation classes Coolio managed to pull together some semblance of normality by working as a fire-fighter, and embarked on a more disciplined attitude to his musical career. First came an alliance with WC and DJ Alladin as part of WC & The MADD Circle, in turn becoming part of the 40 Theivz, a hip hop community made up of producers, rappers and dancers. Coolio eventually turned once again to his own career, supported by a friend entitled Wino. Together they signed to Tommy Boy records. The first results were, County Line, which recalled his negative experiences on Welfare, and an impressive debut album which forced many critics to wonder at what hip hop had passed up on in earlier years.