Grammy-winning rapper Coolio, who's best known for his worldwide hit Gangsta's Paradise, has been charged with unlawful firearm possession of a firearm in the United States.
Prosecutors say the handgun was found in his backpack during baggage screening at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last month.
According to Los Angeles police who arrested Coolio at the airport, a stolen, loaded pistol was discovered in the rapper' sbackpack on the X-ray screening belt as his entourage was going through security to board a flight en route to a concert.
Prosecutors said it was illegal for the performer to carry a gun because of two previous felony convictions, one in 2001 for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and another in 2009 for possession of cocaine.
The 53 year old star, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey, could be sentenced to as much as three years in state prison if convicted.
The rapper was scheduled to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday but the hearing was postponed until 26 October.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said that a warrant for Coolio's arrest would be issued if he failed to appear for the later court date
Coolio, is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit, Gangsta's Paradise, the No.1 U.S. chart-topper that year and one of the best-selling singles of all time.
He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in the UK in 2009 and Ultimate Big Brother in 2010.
