Coolio and his bodyguard were arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday, September 17, after authorities allegedly discovered a stolen loaded gun in the musician's bag, Us Weekly can confirm.
The "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper, 53, and his security guard, 39, were both taken into custody at LAPD Pacific Division Jail for possession of a stolen loaded firearm.
"On September 17, 2016, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Los Angeles Airport Police responded to Terminal 3 for a report of a prohibited item at TSA screening," an LAPD public information officer tells Us. "Upon arrival, airport police immediately took possession of a carry-on bag in the X-ray screening belt and detained a 39-year-old black male [the bodyguard] who claimed possession of the bag."
Upon further investigation, LAX police discovered that the bag contained personal items belonging to Coolio (né Artis Leon Ivey Jr.), "who left the screening area and boarded an aircraft for departure," according to the officer.
Coolio was then removed from the airplane and detained by police. After being questioned, he "claimed ownership and possession of the carryon bag."
The Compton native is most famous for his '90s hits including "Fantastic Voyage," "C U When U Get There," "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" and "Gangsta's Paradise," the latter of which won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Coolio also famously rapped the theme song for Nickelodeon's Kenan & Kel. In recent years, he has hosted a cooking show, Cookin' With Coolio, and released a cookbook.
