Christy Dignam and Coolio: The collaboration between the two late, great figures

Aslan's Christy Dignam has died aged 63. Last summer he was working on a track in Dublin with rapper Coolio, who since died aged 59. In this article from summer 2022, Coolio told Ed Power why he loved the city and shared his thoughts on Ringsend rappers Versatile, the Black Lives Matter movement and his iconic hit Gangsta’s Paradise

Coolio says he spends so much of his free time in Dublin that he can 'pull a proper pint with the best of them'. Pictures: Moya Nolan.

Ask Coolio what he loves most about Dublin and the rapper delivers an enthusiastic homily about the city he has adopted as his home away from home.

“I walk about,” says the 58-year-old hip-hop star (real name Artis Levon Ivey Jr). “I go to friends of mine. I go to clubs and bars. I talk to the people on the street. I hang out. I meet some nice, nice-looking women. I have a pint. I can pull a proper pint. I can do it with the best of them.”