Coolio best known for '90s hit 'Gangsta's Paradise,' dies at 59

Los Angeles rapper Coolio, who rose to the national spotlight in the 1990s with his Grammy-winning hit "Gangsta's Paradise," died on Wednesday, his longtime manager Jarez Posey confirmed to ABC News. He was 59.

Coolio, whose legal name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was found unresponsive Wednesday afternoon while visiting a friend's house, and emergency personnel were called after he didn't come out of the bathroom, according to Posey. A cause of death has not yet been determined but an investigation is ongoing.

"We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon," Coolio's representative, Sheila Finegan​, executive partner at Trinity Artists International, told ABC News in a statement Wednesday evening. "He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly. Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio's loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

[ABBC NEWS

Kendrick Lamar becomes 1st rapper to win Pulitzer Prize for music

Kendrick Lamar has become the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Kendrick Lamar has won the Pulitzer Prize for music, making history as the first non-classical or jazz artist to win the prestigious prize. The revered rapper is also the most commercially successful musician to receive the award, usually reserved for critically acclaimed classical acts who don't live on the pop charts.

The 30-year-old won the prize for "DAMN.," his raw and powerful Grammy-winning album. The Pulitzer board said Monday the album is a "virtuosic song collection" and said it captures "the modern African American life." He will win $15,000.

The Pulitzer board has awarded special honors to Bob Dylan, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Hank Williams, but a popular figure like Lamar has never won the prize for music. In 1997, Wynton Marsalis became the first jazz act to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.

The Pulitzer Prize is awarded for excellence in newspaper journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition

[SOURCE: CBS NEWS]

Why this Hillary Clinton supporter has much love for Killer Mike

Rapper Killer Mike (His Momma named him Micheal Render) has been a very vocal and active supporter of Bernie Sanders. As a guy who grew up listening to Rakim, Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teachers, X Clan, and KRS-One, I'm no big fan of his music (I know I come off as a hating old man.). So why you ask would I, a Hillary Clinton supporter have so much respect for this young man?

Because he unlike many celebrity supporters has studied up on things and has a good idea of what is being discussed. When he appears on television, you don't have to worry about this intelligent, well-spoken man embarrassing black people. If you debate this man don't underestimate him and consider him just a rapper because he will destroy you with well thought out arguments.

Killer Mike can intelligently debate the issues and defend his stance on the issues. I can see this young man as a political contributor to a news network or working on or in campaigns one day. And yes, I can see him running for office.

So although I don't agree with him on this current Democratic primary (Go Hillary), I am very proud of these young black man.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports. Email: georgelcookiii@gmail.com

Morning Joe Blames Racist SAE Video on Rap Music

Here's one from the that didn't take long, but not as soon as we expected file. On MSNBC's (yes, that channel still exist) the host and guest pinned some of the blame for SAE's racist rant on Hip Hop. They discussed this idea because of the lyrics of Wocka Flocka Flame (apparently he still exist also), who in protest has cancelled a performance for the fraternity. I actually expected someone to make this charge but I would have bet $100 it would have came from Fox News or conservative radio. Watch the video excerpt below:

Hip Hop responds to Michael Brown shooting.

Some have falsely accused Hip Hop of sitting out of the Michael Brown shooting tragedy. That is not true. Some have made statements while others like The Game, T.I., and J. Cole have released songs in honor of Michael Brown or discuss the shootings of unarmed black men. Yes there is much to criticize in Hip Hop but when Hip Hop artist step up and attempt to be socially conscience we need to acknowledge that also. Check out a few of those songs below:

Don't shoot by The Game featuring Diddy, Rick Ross,2 Chainz, Fabolous, Yo Gotti, Wale

Be Free by J. Cole

New National Anthem by T.I.

Hip-Hop Pioneers Plan a Museum for the Bronx

Before hip-hop became a musical genre, it was a form of expression — and an escape — for its early creators in the Bronx.

Now some of those elders of the genre want to underscore its Bronx roots by opening a hip-hop museum inside the Kingsbridge Armory, a long-empty fortress that is being redeveloped into a national ice sports center. The museum — to be called the Universal Hip Hop Museum — would utilize interactive technology to provide a comprehensive look at hip-hop, including its historical and cultural roots and the contributions of break dancers and disc jockeys, according to museum organizers.

“Many people have a misconception of what hip-hop is,” said Afrika Bambaataa, who is often called the godfather of hip-hop and will serve as the museum’s chairman. “When they say hip-hop, they only say it’s the rapper, and there’s a whole culture and movement behind it.”

The plan for the museum was announced by a group of hip-hop artists and their supporters at a news conference in front of City Hall on Wednesday after a City Council ceremony inside to honor the achievements of Mr. Bambaataa and other early hip-hop pioneers, including Grandmaster Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz and Grand Wizard Theodore. The new museum, which is still being developed, is the latest in a line of efforts to honor hip-hop that date back to at least the mid-1990s.

Read more here: Hip-Hop Pioneers Plan a Museum for the Bronx

Is Nicki Minaj's Malcom X cover disrespectful?

It seems like Nicki Minaj has decided to take the ignorance displayed expressed last year by her fellow Young Money rapper Lil Wayne to a new level. Last year Lil Wayne used Emmit Till's name in a disrespectful manner in a song.

Not to be out done Nicki Minaj has used the iconic photo of Malcom X looking out a window and holding a rifle on the cover of her newly released single, Looking Ass Nigga. Check out the cover below.

I find this photo to be extremely disrespectful and shows that Nicki Minaj has a lot to learn about black history. And to make matters worse it has been released during Black History Month. SMDH! What do you think?