Gangsta’s Paradise rapper Coolio resurrected in metaverse tribute

Coolio’s legacy takes on new life in the metaverse with an immersive digital experience featuring a hyper-intelligent AI version of the iconic rapper as “Gangsta’s Paradise” turns 30.

In the 90s hip hop and RnB world, no one would have imagined Coolio’s hit song “Gangsta’s Paradise” celebrating its 30th anniversary in a digital mansion in the metaverse. 

Now, merging old-school nostalgia with Web3 technology, the metaverse project NetVRk has revealed its plans to create an immersive digital experience that honors the star’s legacy while introducing him to a new generation of fans.

Coolio’s metaverse vision

Coolio’s iconic track, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has captivated listeners for nearly three decades since its release and is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.

With over 1.5 billion views on YouTube, the song has firmly established its place in music history. NetVRk is seizing the moment to honor Coolio in the digital realm.

Before his untimely death in 2022, Coolio was deeply engaged in exploring the metaverse and its potential for artists. 

His last known interview before death was on the Crypto Island pod, on which he is quoted saying that he was “heavily invested into the metaverse” and already has a “nice swath of land” in the metaverse. 

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He was adamant that this would be an innovative way to connect with his fans. Coolio even recorded a metaverse-inspired song. 

Shortly before his death, he completed a collaboration with NetVRk that has now paved the way for a groundbreaking project: transforming him into a hyper-intelligent AI character within the metaverse.

Iconic rapper Coolio is making a groundbreaking comeback—in the Metaverse!

As we near the 30th anniversary of "Gangsta’s Paradise," NetVRk is bringing Coolio’s final vision to life. Explore his custom-built villa in the upcoming NetVRk Alpha and interact with his AI character in… pic.twitter.com/5lm22V1vWE

— NetVRk Official (@Netvrk_Official) August 20, 2024

In NetVRk’s upcoming alpha release, Coolio’s fans will soon have the opportunity to explore a meticulously designed digital mansion known as Coolio’s “dream villa.” 

This virtual space, crafted to align with Coolio’s initial vision, will allow fans to interact with his AI character while experiencing his voice, personality, and insights in a fully immersive environment. 

Web3 reinvention 

The theme song recorded by Coolio specifically for this project before his abrupt passing will debut on his official YouTube channel next week, offering fans a taste of what’s to come.

This project is just the beginning of a larger celebration of Coolio’s legacy. As the 30th anniversary approaches, fans can also expect a series of events, special releases and collaborations hosted within the NetVRk metaverse. 

According to the project, these efforts aim to keep Coolio’s influence and legacy alive and relevant as the digital world continues to evolve.

The metaverse has previously been a stage for reinvention and preservation of artists or events from the past. In early 2023, Cointelegraph spoke with some of the original organizers of the iconic Woodstock music festival about their own efforts to use the metaverse to reinvent the festival in digital reality. 

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