Monessen

Coolio was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Compton, California.

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. in Monessen, Pa., on Aug. 1, 1963, the rapper grew up in Compton, Calif. — a once-blighted part of the Los Angeles area that gave way to fellow rappers Dr. Dre and Eazy-E.

Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., was born on Aug. 1, 1963, in Monessen, Pa., but grew up in Compton.

Born in Monessen, Pennsylvania south of Pittsburgh, Coolio moved to Compton, California, where he went to community college.

The economic downturn has left towns like Donora, Monessen and Rankin as shells of their former selves.