Rapper Coolio dead aged 59 from suspected cardiac arrest

Rapper Coolio has died aged 59.

The Gangsta's Paradise rapper was reportedly visiting a friend in Los Angeles on Wednesday when he died.

Coolio's manager Jarel Posey, known as 'Jarez', confirmed the news to TMZ, revealing the rapper went to the bathroom and never returned.

When the friend went to check up on him, he discovered Coolio lying on the bathroom floor.

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Paramedics were called to the scene but the rapper was pronounced dead.

Jarez told TMZ paramedics suspected Coolio died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Police have since told the outlet no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene. An official cause of death has not been determined, with an autopsy and pending toxicology test used to determine an official cause of death.

Coolio emerged on the rap scene in the late '80s and released his first album It Takes A Thief in 1994. But he only became a household name in 1995 when his hit Gangsta's Paradise was released.

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The track was the theme song to the film Dangerous Minds, which starred Michelle Pfeiffer as a former Marine who scores a gig teaching in a school full of underachievers.

The song reached number one on the Billboard charts, where it remained for three weeks and went on to be the top-selling single in 1995. That year, the single also won Coolio a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.

In Australia, Gangsta's Paradise dominated the number-one spot for 14 weeks.

Tributes have begun to flood social media, with fellow rapper Vanilla Ice leading the way.

"I'm freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away," he tweeted. 

Musician Questlove also paid his respects on Instagram, writing: "Peaceful Journey Brother."

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Another music heavyweight, Ice Cube, was also devastated to hear the news.

"This is sad news. I witness first hand this man's grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio," he tweeted.

Rapper and Law & Order star Ice-T couldn't believe the news as the pair just caught up weeks ago.

"Holly S--t!!! I was just talking to him 2 weeks ago! He was performing in Europe... This is so Fd up..." he tweeted.

Actor Martin Lawrence sent his love to Coolio's family.

"My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the family of @Coolio #rip," the Bad Boys alum tweeted.

Rapper and dancer MC Hammer was also among the many to pay tribute.

"One of the nicest dudes I've known. Good people. R.I.P. Coolio," he tweeted.

NBA star Matt Bonner was also saddened by the news, sharing a touching memory he has of the rapper.

"RIP Coolio Huge hoops fan… we hosted him at a game a few years back… biggest crowd of all-time at a Spurs Overtime concert," the athlete tweeted.