The artist, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr. may have died of a heart attack, though an official cause of death has not yet been released, the television station reported, citing Posey.
Coolio was best known for his Grammy Award-winning number one song Gangsta’s Paradise.
Coolio released his first album It Takes A Thief in 1994, but the following year, his song for the film’s soundtrack was Dangerous Settings made him a global star.
The celebrity gossip website TMZ reported that the rapper died in Los Angeles after he excused himself to go to the bathroom.
When he did not return, the friend went to look at him and found him lying on the floor.
Paramedics were called but were unable to revive the star, with cardiac arrest as the suspected cause of death. No official cause has yet been determined.