"Fantastic Voyage"

For one night only, Toledo will become a "Gangster's Paradise."

Rap superstar Coolio, known for his funk-inspired beats and party-themed lyrics, will bring his unique brand of hip-hop – and hair – to the Omni tomorrow night.

Coolio performed at Levis Common's in Perrysburg last year for Andrew Z's Miller Lite Music Fest. The two-day concert also featured rap artists Naughty by Nature, Tone Loc and Young MC.

"I went with my friend [to the Miller Lite Music Fest] and [Coolio] was really good," said Kristen Scott, a junior majoring in nursing. "I found out later that my parents were there, and even they said he was good."

According to Scott, Coolio was also memorable for his antics offstage.

"Everyone was cheering for him to get onstage, but Andrew Z said he was in the back getting high," she said. "After the show, I heard he had sex in the back of his limo and made his driver clean up the mess. It was ridiculous."

The 48-year-old rapper, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr., began his career in the early ‘90s as a member of WC and the Maad Circle, a Los Angeles-based rap group.

When their record label dropped the group, Coolio embarked as a solo act. His first album, "It Takes a Thief," featured the popular song "Fantastic Voyage," which gave Coolio a successful start.

He gained national acclaim for his 1995 single, "Gangster's Paradise," which won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. Originally written for the movie "Dangerous Minds," the song became the title track for his second album, which was a Grammy nominee for Best Rap Album.

Since then, Coolio has released six more albums and collaborated with artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg.

His latest album, "From the Bottom 2 the Top," features collaborations with many accomplished musicians, such as Benny Benassi, Paul Oakenfield and Ennio Morricone, the legendary composer of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

He has also expanded to other mediums. He voiced characters for the TV shows "Static Shock and "Futurama," starred in "Coolio's Rules," a reality show following him and his family, and published a cookbook, "Cookin' with Coolio," which includes colorful quotes such as, "Everything I cook tastes better than yo' momma's nipples."

Justin Paat, a senior majoring in art, said he is impressed Coolio is still performing and making music.

"I remember him singing the ‘Kenan & Kel' theme song [on Nickelodeon] and he was dancing inside that giant globe," he said. "He's Coolio. His name says it all."

Parking costs $5. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. VIP tickets cost $20 and include a meet-and-greet before the show. Doors open at 8 p.m.