Gangsta's Paradise
2 Pac ft Coolio Lyrics

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
As I navigate through a treacherous environment full of danger and uncertainty

I take a look at my life and realize there's none left
I reflect on my life and realize that I have nothing to show for it, despite all the time I have spent in this world.

'Cause I've been brassing and laughing so long that
I have been living recklessly and carelessly for such a long time that

Even my mamma thinks that my mind is gone
Even my mother doubts my sanity and rational thinking abilities

But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
I haven't wronged or double-crossed anyone who didn't have it coming to them

Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
No one has ever dared to treat me disrespectfully or without fear, as I am not someone to be taken for granted.

You better watch how you talking, and where you walking
Be careful with your words and your movements if you don't want to face the consequences of crossing me.

Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
Or else you and your friends might end up on the ground, with white chalk outlining your bodies.

I really hate to trip but I gotta lope
I am averse to unnecessary conflict but I have to be alert and ready to act

As they croak I see myself in the pistal smoke fool
As I take someone down with a gunshot, I see myself in the residue of the firearm blast.

I'm the kinda G that little homies want to be like
I am the type of gangster that younger generations look up to and want to emulate.

On my knees in the night, saying prayers in the street light
I am a spiritual person, and often find myself praying in moments of solitude and quiet, such as at night.

They been spending most their lives living in the gangsta's paradise
People have been dwelling in a world full of violence and danger for a large portion of their lives.

We keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta's paradise
We continue to live in this dangerous and violent lifestyle for the majority of our existence.

They got the situation, they got me facing
They are always placing me in challenging and threatening situations.

I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strip
I am unable to live a mundane and routine life, as I grew up in the neighborhood where gangs thrive and violence reigns.

So I gotta be down with the hood team
Therefore, I have to affiliate myself with the neighborhood gang.

Too much television watching got me chasing dreams
Watching too many gangster films and shows has led me to romanticize the lifestyle and pursue unrealistic goals.

I'm a educated fool with money on my mind
I am a well-educated individual, but my focus is entirely on acquiring wealth and material possessions.

Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I hold a gun in my hand, and my eyes show a fierce determination to achieve my objectives.

I'm a loped out gangsta set trippin banger
I am a gang member who is often high on drugs and willing to engage in violent conflicts over territorial rivalries.

And my homies is down so gonna rouse my anger fool
My friends and fellow gang members are supportive of my actions, and will help stoke my anger and aggression.

Death aint nothing but a heart beat away
Dying is always a possibility, as death can occur in a split second.

I'm living life do or die, what can I say
I am living my life with the mentality that I must always take risks, as my existence feels like a life-and-death situation.

I'm twenty three never will I live to see 24
I don't expect to live long enough to see my next birthday, due to the dangerous and violent lifestyle I lead.

The way things is going I don't know
Given the unpredictability of my world, I have no clue what the future holds for me.

Tell me why are we so blind to see
Can you explain why we fail to notice

That the ones we hurt are you and me
That the victims of our actions are not limited to others, but ourselves as well.

Power and the money, money and the power
Power and money are inextricably linked and often reinforce each other.

Minute after minute, hour after hour
This cycle of accumulation and pursuit of power and wealth is incessant, without end.

Everybody's running, but half of them ain't looking
People are always in motion, but many are not paying attention to what's happening around them.

What's going on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cooking
Something is happening behind the scenes, but I am not sure what is taking place.

They say I've got to learn but nobody's here to teach me
People tell me that I need to improve and grow, but nobody is willing or able to provide guidance or instruction.

If they can't understand it, how can they reach me
If they fail to comprehend my situation or mindset, how can they hope to help me or communicate effectively with me?

I guess they can't
I suppose it's futile to expect that of them.

I guess they won't
I assume they have no interest in trying to understand or help me.

I guess they front
They are simply pretending to care or offer support, without any real intention of doing so.

That's why I know my life is out of luck fool
This is why I am certain that my life is doomed to bad fortune and misfortune.

Tell me why are we so blind to see
Can you explain why we fail to notice

That the ones we hurt are you and me
That our actions inflict damage and pain upon both ourselves and those around us.