'Everything I Cook Is Good'
In a new Web video series, Compton-born rapper Coolio makes a different kind of comeback: he's cooking.
Best known for his 1995 hit "Gangsta's Paradise," Compton, Calif.-born rapper Coolio, now 44, is trying to move beyond the microphone. He's the star of a new weekly Webisode series on MyDamnChannel.com called "Cookin' with Coolio," in which he pimps out his culinary skills and shares his recipes for dishes such as Tricked out Tilapia (get the ghetto-fabulous recipe here) and Finger Lickin', Rib Stickin', Fall-Off-the-Bone-and-Into-Your-Mouth Chicken. Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., spoke with NEWSWEEK's Jessica Bennett. Excerpts:
NEWSWEEK: Coolio, where have you been?
Coolio: I'm about to release [a new] album, "Steal Hear." My six children have grown up. I've been divorced. Me and my new woman are working on a clothing line. And I've developed my culinary skills to a fine point. I've also changed my style of dress--I wear a lot of suits now.
Ah, so you're a businessman?
Well, you either be the business or you get played by the business.
Do you still have your braids?
I sure do. I have them in a brohawk—that's a mohawk for a brotha. My hairline has started to recede, so I had to change it up a little bit.
How'd the cooking show evolve?
I've been cooking for a while; I even got a little formal training. Me and my cousin were playing around in the kitchen one day and I said, "Damn, what if we had a cooking show?" It became something we realized could be a reality.
And you're having fun?
I'm ecstatic. I don't think I've ever used that word before. This show is our baby—she's really beautiful and she's an Amazon woman.
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Member Comments
Posted By: shah mat @ 02/19/2008 11:42:49 AM
Comment: the target audience is 'who', again? You're way off. And actually, I am young. It's just that my mental maturity doesn't lie congruent with my biological age, as you would have it. And yes, it just so happens that I KNOW that there is a God; though my rendition of Him probably differs significantly from that of any of the mainstream understandings. Sorry, dude. No laughing matter there. I mean I could laugh, but then that wouldn't be too cool of me. Cool? Cool. And as far as open-mindedness is concerned... [you can go ahead and fill in the blank here. Take up as much time and space as you need.]
Posted By: I Like Funny @ 02/18/2008 2:10:33 PM
Comment: Likely your not in the target audience... ie Young, open minded, and eager to learn from whatever source. OH and you still think there's a god. :) good luck with that.
Posted By: I Like Funny @ 02/18/2008 2:06:02 PM
Comment: Very funny. It interesting how this show is able to so clearly define the generational divide. Interesting too to note the various comments ranging from those verging on racism (from folks who clearly ignored WATCHING the show prior to commenting) to those who miss the broader values... I'm impressed that the show works as well as it does... Children will explore their kitchens more, beyond what's boxed or canned.