Coolio » Tracks » Gangsta's Paradise

Coolio – Gangsta's Paradise (4:00)

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About This Track

Gangsta’s Paradise is a rap song by Coolio featuring L.V. from the movie Dangerous Minds (1995) (starring Michelle Pfeiffer). The song was later released on the albums Gangsta’s Paradise and Dangerous Minds soundtrack in 1995. Coolio was awarded a Grammy for the song/album. The song was voted as the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll.

It sampled the chorus and music of the song “Pastime Paradise” by Stevie Wonder (1976).

The song was also listed at #69 on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of All-Time.
In 2008, it was ranked number 38 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

Following Coolio’s appearance in the UK TV show Celebrity Big Brother 2009 Gangsta’s Paradise re-entered the UK singles chart peaking at #31.

L.V. released a solo version of the single in 1996 on his debut album, I Am L.V… This version did not feature Coolio, and featured additional lyrics written by L.V. himself. The single did not repeat the popularity of the original with Coolio.

The music is a reworking of Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise”, a song from his album Songs in the Key of Life. “Gangsta’s Paradise” uses the same tune, and a different orchestration of the same backing music. Coolio changed the lyrics to be more relevant to life on the streets.

The song begins with a line from Psalm 23:4 from the Bible: As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but then diverges with: I take a look at my life / And realize there’s nothin’ left. Adding to some of the religious overtones are choral vocals in the background.
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  • ruledbyrobots

    :) takes me bake to the semi in leeds (not the hood)

    last week

  • juancrosas

    =)

    16 days ago

  • ilyAK84

    for orginal version: http://www.lastfm.com.tr/music/Stevie+Wonder/_/Pastime+Paradise

    24 days ago

  • lespagnol13

    i used to have it in my walkman in my way to high school and still love it.

    last month

  • ivano1987

    classic...

    last month

  • xlowerpwnx

    gangstarrrrrrrrrrrrrss paradiyseeeeeeee <3

    March 2012

  • Nairda55

    Amazing. The live performance with Stevie Wonder @ Billboard Awars 1995 is legendary

    March 2012

  • cherokeegrl

    They say I gotta 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

    March 2012

  • kopiteza

    this song reminds me of my high school days.. and high school high lol

    March 2012

  • steve__

    Amazing song.

    February 2012

  • justmusic_

    Classic <3

    February 2012

  • darkcleavage

    its doesnt work :(

    February 2012

  • raafaaeu

    makes me think of the movie "dangerous minds". Love this song [2]

    February 2012

  • alehnooo

    super!!!!!!!!

    February 2012

  • cherokeegrl

    I love this song

    January 2012

  • hotwaffles

    I feel guilty for knowing the Weird Al version more than this

    January 2012

  • shezz22

    good song and movie

    January 2012

  • Pezrawr

    Why does the video to this song make me cringe?

    January 2012

  • sammpimp

    yeah its aight brings u back n time.

    December 2011

  • beastinmitch21

    its the shit

    November 2011
See all 564 shouts

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