RTE star Marty Whelan has described Coolio as a “gorgeous man” as he led the tributes to the US rapper who was found dead in a friend’s bathroom in Los Angeles.
Lyric FM host Marty was among those who paid tribute to the legendary rapper, recalling the moment he met him on his old show, Open House, which ran on RTÉ One between 1999 and 2004.
A video resurfaced of the moment of Coolio’s bizarre performance on the show – with comedy writer James Cotter saying Coolio is rumoured to have been “booked by mistake” and the crew realised too late that no backing dancers had been booked.
Read More: RTE viewers remember 'classic' moment Coolio appeared on Irish daytime TV as rapper dies aged 59
“They hadn't arranged backing dancers, so he made the middle-age production crew dress up and do it instead. Best TV ever,” Mr Cotter said on Twitter.
Winning Streak host Marty confirmed the rumours about the dancers.
He said: “Ah Coolio, I remember him with great fondness.
“To have him dancing with the staff was quite the moment. Which they did willingly. The very idea of introducing Coolio on afternoon television shows you how innovative RTÉ has always been,” he said on Twitter.
Speaking on Drivetime yesterday (THURS) on Rte Radio 1, Marty said he was a “gorgeous man”.
“He was a gorgeous man. He was a joyous fella. He got involved in the whole gangster rap thing, but he was much older than a lot of the other guys. He’d be ten or 12 years older than them, so he was above a lot of the nonsense that went on.
Marty recalled Coolio on Open House, saying: “He was a gentleman and we were delighted to have him on the programme.
“How I’ll be able to play him on Lyric FM in the morning, I’ve no idea,” he said laughing.
“He was full of chat. He was a very good guy…...”
But Marty clarified that the rumour that Rte booked Coolio by mistake was not true – but it was true that they didn’t realise Coolio needed backing dancers and had to rope in Rte's production staff.
“People always said that we made a mistake, that we didn’t know who were going to have on… we had to know full well who were inviting on but what we didn’t bank on was the need for dancers. That is where the staff came in - god bless them.”
Marty said his memory of him was that he was “a really nice guy”, who “did his thing and away he went”.
The Dubliner also admitted there was “no fuss” when Coolio came into the studio, despite him being a huge star.
Coolio’s agent, Sheila Finegan, at Trinity Artists International, confirmed the death of the star in a statement on Thursday morning.
It read: "We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon.
"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."
Coolio is no stranger to Ireland having recently played at Conor McGregor’s Black Forge Inn during the summer, stunning punters with his rendition of his hit Gangsta’s Paradise.
Coolio also posed for photos with both staff and customers before singing the 1995 hit alongside a Dublin band.
Staff at the pub have paid tribute to him following the rap legend's death.
A message shared alongside a photo of Coolio and The Black Forge Inn's manager Liam Flynn on the pub's Instagram account read: "Today the world lost a legend. We were honoured that Coolio joined us over the summer and performed for all of our amazing customers. We are heartbroken with this morning's news. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
"Tonight we raise a glass to the OG.
"RIP Brother."
The Compton native visited the pub with Dublin rap duo Versatile, who he previously recorded a music video with in the capital.
He delighted fans with his appearance at the O’Rahilly and Whelan House in Dublin where he was seen filming a new music video with the Ringsend rappers.
Coolio revealed how he was a big fan of the Dublin rap scene in June.
He told Dublin Live: “I love Versatile, and how they keep the accent. Their lyrics sound hot as hell and original because they keep the accent."
He also previously revealed how he was writing new music with Aslan.
The late hitmaker previously said: "We've just got into it. We're working on a track. We haven't even started writing any lyrics.
“The track is being built as we speak. Somewhere within the next four to six weeks we should have something tangible we could work with,” he added, in an interview with The Irish Examiner earlier this year.
"It's probably going to be a banger, I would imagine. I don't know if it's going to be dark and deep or if we're going to go clubby and happy that remains to be seen.
“I'm more inclined with being dark and deep and still being a banger.”
Coolio was also a fan of Celtic – and even was brought onto the pitch in 2017.
His love for the team began in January 2009, when Coolio appeared on the sixth series of Celebrity Big Brother in the UK.
He was in the house alongside Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan, a well-known huge Hoops supporter.
The two became unlikely pals and some years later, the former MSP invited Coolio to take in a match at Parkhead.
The rapper was on tour in the UK during September and October 2017, and he was Tweeted by Sheridan asking him if he'd like to take in the Celtic vs. Hibs match on September 30.
He put out a plea just the day before the match asking if anyone had two tickets for the sold-out game, and their luck was in, as one Parkhead fan came up with the goods.
A day later, Coolio delighted Celtic fans as he took to the pitch to do the half-time draw.
He absolutely lapped up the Parkhead atmosphere, too, going around the pitch greeting fans, almost in the style of a lap of honour.
He even wore a Celtic scarf for the occasion.
Coolio then took part in an interview on Celtic TV alongside host Gerry McCulloch and ex-Hoops defender Mark Wilson.
He told them: "I brought the Gangsta's Paradise to the real Paradise!
"The Celtic Paradise - Hail Hail!"
"My boy Tommy man, he's been telling me about Celtic for years. I'm a fan through him and I wanted to come and see it for myself."
After a brief chat about his music, Coolio ended the interview by shouting "Hail Hail" down the camera.
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