Gangsta's Paradise

Coolio

About Gangsta's Paradise

"Gangsta's Paradise" is a song by American rapper Coolio, featuring singer L. V. The song was released on Coolio's album of the same name, as well as the soundtrack for the 1995 film Dangerous Minds. It samples the chorus and instrumentation of Stevie Wonder's 1976 song "Pastime Paradise". The song was listed at number 85 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All-Time and number one biggest selling single of 1995 on U. S. Billboard. In 2008, it was ranked number 38 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. Coolio was awarded a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rap Video and Best Video from a Film and a Billboard Music Award for the song/album. The song was voted as the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll. The song has sold over 5 million copies in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany alone, and at least 6 million worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. Coolio has performed this song live at the 1995 Billboard Music Awards with L. V. and Wonder, at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards with L. V.. 


Year:
1995
4:00
2,772 
#2

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As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's none left
'Cause I've been brassing and laughing so long that
Even my mamma thinks that my mind is gone
But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you talking, and where you walking
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
I really hate to trip but I gotta lope
As they croak I see myself in the pistal smoke fool
I'm the kinda G that little homies want to be like
On my knees in the night, saying prayers in the street light

They been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise
They been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

They got the situation, they got me facing
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strip
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watching got me chasing dreams
I'm a educated fool with money on my mind
Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I'm a loped out gangsta set trippin banger
And my homies is down so gonna rouse my anger fool
Death aint nothing but a heart beat away
I'm living life do or die, what can I say
I'm twenty three never will I live to see 24
The way things is going I don't know

Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and m

They been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise
They been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybody's running, but half of them ain't looking
What's going on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cooking
They say I've got to learn but nobody's here to teach me
If they can't understand it, how can they reach me
I guess they can't
I guess they won't
I guess they front
That's why I know my life is out of luck fool

They been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise
They been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise

Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me

Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me

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Coolio

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (born August 1, 1963), better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American Grammy Award-winning musician, rapper, actor, and record producer. He is best known for the song "Gangsta's Paradise", and the theme song for Kenan & Kel, a Nickelodeon show from 1996 to 2000. more »

3 fans

Written by: Stevie Wonder, Artis L Ivey Jr., Doug Rasheed, Lawrence Sanders

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Exploration Group LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., SHELLY BAY MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Performance Classification
"Gangsta's Paradise" was Coolio's most successful single, achieving number one on multiple international charts, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.
Awards Classification
In 1996, "Gangsta's Paradise" earned Coolio a Grammy Award for the Best Rap Solo Performance.
Release Classification
The song was originally released in 1995 as part of the official soundtrack for the movie "Dangerous Minds."
Significance in Pop Culture Classification
"Gangsta's Paradise" is often seen as a defining hip hop song of the 1990s, exhibiting influences of the prevailing West Coast and G-funk styles of that era.
Film Appearance Classification
The song, along with the associated music video featuring Coolio and Michelle Pfeiffer, was prominently featured in the 1995 movie "Dangerous Minds," which explored issues of urban poverty and youth violence.
Sales Classification
The song is one of the best-selling singles of all time, having sold over six million copies worldwide.
Crossover Success Classification
Despite being a rap song, "Gangsta's Paradise" found crossover success in both pop and contemporary hit radio markets, showcasing the increasing mainstream acceptance of hip-hop during the mid-1990s.
Controversy Classification
There was controversy over "Gangsta's Paradise" since it sampled the chorus and music of the song "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder without obtaining his initial permission. Thankfully, Wonder eventually agreed to allow it after the track was recorded.
Legacy Classification
Rolling Stone Magazine placed it at number 38 on its list of "100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time" in 2017.
Parody Classification
The song was parodied by Weird Al Yankovic as "Amish Paradise," with Coolio originally voicing his disapproval. Years later, he admitted to having no hard feelings and even suggested that the success of “Gangsta’s Paradise” had been partly due to Weird Al’s parody.

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