It was another Sean Healy event at the Key Club, this time featuring the CD release party for Coolio’s new album “El Coolio Magnifico”.

Sean Healy & Publicity Whore
kick it at the Key Club on Sunset

Coolio is proving the exception to the rule for the typical gangster persona, playing on the gangster party rather than the gangster dilemma. Along for the ride was a live band and the "Replacements" backing up his rap beats. During the beginning of the set, Coolio expressed the frustration of performing with a live band when a guitar string broke. “Yo, man the only problem with a live band is you have to stop the show and wait when something goes wrong with the equipment!”

Many other rap acts stay with the usual D.J. and presampled beats. Coolio understands the impact of a live band, especially what adding funky rock beats can do to enhance the overall hip-hop experience.

Coolio did an excellent job captivating the audience by blending playful stage antics, solid funky riffs and a positive, yet realistic message. He chooses to rap about the positive side of life, rather than dwell solely on anger and angst. Coolio understands that he can still be cool, and play gangster tunes - but not have to completely sell the negative gangster image to attract a fan base. If you looked around at the crowd of dancing people, and saw how their faces lit up as Coolio performed on stage, you could tell he delivered on exactly what the audience was asking for.

Coolio is here to bring the fun in the hip-hop gangster lifestyle of 'cool grooving parties with hot girls' and cruising down the street in your fresh ride, rather than the negative side of the gangster life slinging drugs and strapping guns. He's here to bring the “Sunshine”, rather than the darkness, as track 8 on his new disk is appropriately entitled.

Renaming himself as “El Cool Magnifico”, he did not play tunes from any of his older albums, yet kept the focus on his new release. Although I did enjoy the new songs, adding in classics like “Fantastic Voyage” or “Gangster Paradise”, would have been a nice addition to the mix and a definite crowd pleaser.

But it was still a great night of fun, gangster-grooving tunes from his new album "El Cool Magnifico", featuring upbeat tracks like “Shake it up,” and “Pop Yo Collar.”

Coolio even gave a testimonial that if you did not like his new album "you could get your money back", and after listening to the album I do not think that his fans will be lining up at the stores to return his newest release any time soon. No, I think that Coolio's fans will take the perspective as I have, that it is refreshing to hear a contrast to the usual gangsters dilemma, especially when mixed with live instrumentals.

"El Cool Magnifico" is now available at all major record outlets and proves a nice change of pace from the mass marketed generic hip hip crap out there today.

Want to know where Coolio is performing next? Then check out his official website!

www.coolio.com

Recent update: Coolio recently did his part for the children of LA by performing live at the Santa Monica Pier for the "International Day of the Child."

Coolio with Miguel & Jose
'Proving he's far more than just an
ordinary rapper'

For more information on this program and other programs that assist at risk youths contact:

www.childrenunitingnations.org