Late rapper Coolio will be featured in an upcoming episode of the “Futurama” reboot that he recorded weeks before his death.
The “Gangsta’s Paradise” emcee, who died Wednesday at 59, will reprise his role of Kwanzaa-bot, the subversive series’ Kwanzaa counterpart to its Santa Claus Robot and the Hanukkah Zombie. The rapper recorded both new music and original dialogue for the animated sci-fi comedy’s 2023 revival on Hulu, according to series executive producer David X. Cohen.
“Coolio was one of my favorite guests,” Cohen told TMZ. “He was always totally upbeat and genuinely enjoyed coming in to record as his character Kwanzaa-bot.”
Representatives for Hulu did not immediately respond Friday to The Times’ request for comment.
Coolio and Cohen’s last session took place a few weeks ago in anticipation of Hulu’s 20-episode revival of “Futurama,” according to Rolling Stone. The Fox TV show ended its original 10-season run in 2013.
The episode will close with a dedication to the Grammy Award-winning rapper to give him “the best send-off” the show can, and it will feature music that Coolio recorded and produced for the show on the spot, TMZ reported.
Coolio’s holiday-themed character made its debut in the 2001 “Futurama” episode “A Tale of Two Santas” and last appeared in the series in the 2010 holiday special, “The Futurama Holiday Spectacular.”
