Not cool, Coolio.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, the “Gangsta in Paradise” rapper was apprehended by police after authorities said they found a loaded, stolen firearm in his carry-on bag at a security checkpoint inside Los Angeles International Airport.
Around 10:50 a.m., airport security responded after TSA flagged a prohibited item in the screening area, spokeswoman Alicia Hernandez said in a statement. Police took possession of a carry-on bag and detained a 39-year-old man who claimed the bag, Hernandez said.
However, following a quick investigation, authorities discovered that the bag “contained items belonging to one of the suspect’s traveling companions,” who had left the screening area and boarded a departing plane, Hernandez added.
Authorities later detained the 53-year-old rapper, “who upon questioning claimed ownership and possession of the carry-on bag,” Hernandez said.
Both Coolio and his male entourage were arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen, loaded firearm, police said. Meanwhile, Hernandez added that Coolio — whose legal name is Artis Leon Ivey — was booked on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Per the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department online records, Coolio’s bail was set at $37,308. He was released just over three hours later, with orders to report to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 13.
Now, the rapper has responded to his arrest, thanking fans in a brief video clip, saying, “I don’t know what’s going to be the result of this in the future but for now I’m fine and I appreciate everybody’s concerns,” he said. “We gotta push on and try to forward, forward hip-hop.”
He also added that he would be continuing with his planned appearances, including a show in Indio, California, on Sunday.
This isn’t Coolio’s first run-in with the law. In 2009, the Las Vegas native was arrested at LAX for possession of narcotics after crack cocaine was found in his possession. According to reports, the ’90s hip-hop head was going through security when the substance was discovered on his person. After pleading guilty to a charge of possession of cocaine, he entered an 18-month rehabilitation program.
