'Futurama' Pays Tribute To Coolio

Futurama has aired its final episode that starred Coolio, I Know What You Did Next Xmas, on the US television streaming platform Hulu and, with it, showcasing a lovely tribute to the Gangsta’s Paradise rapper, who passed away in September 2022.

Coolio first appeared as a guest star on the animated television series in 2001. Coolio voiced Kwanzaa-Bot, who appeared on the third episode of the third season of Futurama. From there, he guest-starred in two other instances before his final episode.

David X Cohen, the executive producer of Futurama, told TMZ of his shock after the rapper’s passing, “Coolio was one of my favourite guests. He was always totally upbeat and genuinely enjoyed coming in to record as his character Kwanzaa-bot.”

You can watch Coolio’s rap verse for Futurama Xmas list for 3023, which he voiced in a post-credits scene below. Here’s his rap:

Gimme 12 Slurms a-slurping
11 Benders burping
Ten episodes dropping
9 Scruffys mopping
8 Leelas drinking
7 Zoidbergs stinking
Chanukah and Kwanzaa share a single stanza
Time travelling chumps
A 40 ounce of nog
Fry’s dead dog
Two turtle-duckens
And a voice-over credit for me.

The episode ended with a tribute to Coolio, with Kwanzaa-bot situated over planet Earth and looking at the sun and “In memory of Coolio” written in the frame, per Uproxx.

Coolio, a rap pioneer (real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr.), died in September last year. The music icon passed away while visiting a friend. It’s suspected that he suffered cardiac arrest, although an official cause of death has not been released.

Vanilla Ice paid tribute to his “great friend” following Coolio’s passing, telling TMZ, “My heart goes out to all the family. I'm truly devastated. He was a great friend.”

Coolio's final live performance was alongside Vanilla Ice. Ice continued to tell TMZ that Coolio came out onstage with him to freestyle during his set not long before he passed away. After the show, they hung out in Ice's dressing room with Coolio smiling, talking about life, and seeming to be in great shape. The last thing Coolio said to Vanilla Ice was, “See you tomorrow, homie.”