American rapper. He was best known for his single "Gangsta's Paradise", which won a Grammy Award, and was credited for changing the course of hip hop by bringing it to a wider audience. Other singles included "Fantastic Voyage", "1, 2, 3, 4 ", and "C U When U Get There". He released nine albums, the first three of which achieved mainstream success: It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul. Coolio first achieved recognition as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle. Coolio sold 4.8 million albums in the U.S