Fans Reflect On American Rapper And Producer Coolio’s Words Of Wisdom To BTS Following His Unexpected Passing

It was reported on September 29 by TMZ that legendary rapper, producer, and actor Coolio passed away from unknown causes while at a friend’s house. The rapper was known most famously for his song “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but is also known among K-Pop fans for his appearance on BTS‘s American Hustle Life reality program.

During American Hustle Life, BTS did a variety of missions in order to experience “true hip-hop” culture. These missions ranged from filming a rap-inspired music video for “Boy In Luv” featuring beautiful women…

…to honing their talents with other musical professionals.

Coolio appeared in the first few episodes where the members of the group were tasked with impressing Coolio with a meal and tried a variety of tactics to make the most memorable impression.

Though they got off to a rough start, Coolio had nothing but love for the group and left them a special message at the end of his time on the show. Coolio advised the group to “stay dedicated to your crafts” and to continue with music “because you love it.”

Chillin' with @BTS_twt #southkorea #BangtanBoys #kpop #BTS #hiphop pic.twitter.com/Z2iuIu2d2P

— Coolio (@Coolio) July 31, 2014

Last week chillin with the @BTS_twt homies. Shout out all the Korean fans! #BangtanBoys #kpop pic.twitter.com/qhn0sKTYIF

— Coolio (@Coolio) July 8, 2014

"the most important thing, keep on pumpin' your heart. Stay dedicated to your crafts, stay dedicated to your life. So if the music is your life, you must be very dedicated to it,…Do it because you love it." ㅡ 140713, Coolio's advice to @BTS_twt In American Hustle Life pic.twitter.com/IWsRFN2QbZ

— bts quotes archive⁷ ☁️ | thesis ⏳ (@btsqtsarchive) September 29, 2022

This was not the last time ARMY saw Coolio speaking about BTS.

In 2017 during a Billboard Live interview, the group talked about artists that they wished to collaborate with. After the interview, Billboard uploaded a short video on Twitter, thanking the group for coming, to which Coolio responded by wishing them luck. A few days later Coolio made another tweet wishing the group luck in America.

good luck guys!

— Coolio (@Coolio) March 22, 2017

Good luck to @BTS_twt in America! #ShakaZulu https://t.co/me3Lk8pmZf

— Coolio (@Coolio) March 25, 2017

Fans have shared their condolences and thanked Coolio for helping the group out all those years ago, as well as for the heartfelt advice and support he offered to the group.

rip coolio, thank you for everything you’ve done—
thank you for supporting bts during their beginnings, may you rest in peace. ♥︎ pic.twitter.com/D8lQLtOyjY

— vale (@kkukstudio) September 29, 2022

as cringe-tacular as American Hustle Life was, I'll never forget that Coolio's advice to @BTS_twt was to do it for the music, not the money or the fame. And how serious all their faces were when he said that. They took it to heart. I think it still shows.

— Ren💜⁷ (They/Them) (@Rensearch) May 27, 2021

Rest In Peace Coolio. Thank you for taking the time to teach BTS and others about music and artistry. 💜pic.twitter.com/010qpv3MdH

— José/JK Mixtape⁷ (@TheJose8A) September 29, 2022

You can check out a clip of Coolio on the show below: