Coolio Selling Music Catalog to Fund Career as Chef [VIDEO]: 'Gangsta's Paradise' Included in 123-Song Auction for Future in Cooking

Grammy Award-winning rapper Coolio is putting 123 of his songs up for auction in order to raise money for him to further his career as a professional chef. It looks like the 2009 "Cookin' With Coolio" book will see some more action in the coming years.

CLICK HERE to see a video of Coolio demonstrating his cooking ability!

According to a press release from the rapper, Coolio is looking to "invest the funds from the song catalogue sale to expand his cookbook series and his online cooking show of the same name."

Here is an excerpt from The Guardian's report on this story:

Coolio is selling off the rights to his entire music catalogue, including Gangsta's Paradise, in an attempt to fund his new career as a chef. On 28 August, 123 songs will go up on the auction block at the Royalty Exchange, with an estimated sale price of between $134,000 (£85,500) and $225,000 (£143,500). Coolio's catalogue incorporates eight albums spanning 19 years. Although the rapper hasn't cracked the US or UK album charts in a decade and a half, his handful of smash singles, such as 1996's 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New) and 1997's C U When U Get There, are said to generate $23,227 (£14,816) per year in royalties. 

Sean Peace, CEO of the Royalty Exchange explained, "[This] auction is an exciting and rare opportunity for anyone looking for an alternative investment in music publishing and songwriter royalties."

Coolio's press release also mentions that this auction and the amount raised have nothing to do with his current legal woes. Mstars recently reported on this subject. Here is an excerpt:

Not many other details were released in regards to the violent incident, but TMZ claims that the rap legend (real name, Artis Ivey Jr.) was arrested on April 1, 2013 after he allegedly pushed Chatman to the ground and then continued to punch her in the face. The entire thing started when the Hip-Hop "playboy" brought another "lover" back to the home that he shares with Chatman and their toddler son.

According to the police report, Coolio attempted to leave the scene with his son and the other woman after attacking Chatman.

Making things worse, Chatman claims that after beating her to the ground, Coolio hopped in his car and struck her with the vehicle during his attempted escape. Police arrived at the scene and the "Fantastic Voyage" star tried to explain that HE was the actually victim. Apparently, Chatman had attacked and scratched him in a heated jealous rage.

Cops weren't buying his story (tire marks were even found on Chatman's leg to support her side of things), so they handcuffed Coolio and transported him to the local jail.