Coolio facing cocaine possession charge

Rapper Coolio was charged with cocaine possession by Los Angeles prosecutors.

The 45-year-old, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey, was also charged with battery stemming from his Friday arrest at Los Angeles International Airport.

Authorities said he grabbed a screener’s arm to prevent a luggage search that turned up the drugs.

Ivey was charged with one felony count of possession, and one misdemeanour count each of battery and possession of paraphernalia.

He was released on $10,000 (€7,905) bail and is scheduled for arraignment on April 3.

The rapper gained fame for his 1995 single 'Gangsta’s Paradise'.