It sampled the chorus and music of the song "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder. 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. Many of the lyrics are very dark and tragic and are meant to be a criticism of the violence and tragedy of the "gangsta" life. The choral lines (sung by L.V.) Tell me why are we so blind to see / That the ones we hurt are you and me offer an especially plaintive self-criticism. The music video for the song was directed by Antoine Fuqua of Propaganda Films and featured Michelle Pfeiffer reprising her earlier role in Dangerous Minds. When Coolio won Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996, he said in a press conference that Bone Thugs-n-Harmony deserved the award for "Tha Crossroads".
Gangsta's Paradise
Coolio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left
'Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long
That even my momma 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 talkin' and where you walkin'
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
As they croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke
Fool, I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the streetlight
They been spending most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
They been spending most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Look at the situation they got me facin'
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the state
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 loc'd out gangsta, set trippin' banger
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger
Fool, death ain't nothin' but a heart beat away
I'm livin' life do or die, what can I say?
I'm twenty-three now but will I live to see twenty-four?
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 me?
They been spending most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
They been spending most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Livin' in a 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 lookin'
It's going on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin'
They say I 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
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
They been spending most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Livin' in a 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?
The lyrics of Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" describe the life of a gang member who realizes that he is living in a violent world that has left him with nothing but regrets. He is walking through the "valley of the shadow of death" and is haunted by the violence he has witnessed and participated in. He reflects on his life and realizes that he has nothing left, that his life has been wasted. His mother thinks he's gone crazy because of the constant shooting and laughing that he's doing. Nevertheless, he is determined to make his mark and never let anyone, even if they're innocent, treat him like a punk.
The singer is depicted as someone who has been conditioned by his surroundings, whose life seems to be predetermined. He feels powerless to change his situation and cannot "live a normal life" because he was "raised by the state." He is motivated by money and power, but at the same time, he is trapped by a cycle of violence that he cannot escape from. He is afraid that he won't live to see his next birthday, and he wonders why no one has come to his aid or tried to teach him anything.
The song's central message is that living in a gangster's paradise is a trap, leaving its inhabitants with no way out. People are so consumed by power and money that they do not realize the harm they are inflicting on their communities. The ones they hurt the most are the people they live with, their neighbors, and their families.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
As I navigate through difficult times in life
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left
I reflect on my life and see that I have nothing
'Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long
Because I've been involved in violent and criminal activity for a long time
That even my momma thinks that my mind is gone
My mother believes that I have lost my sanity because of my lifestyle
But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
I have only committed crimes against people who I believe deserved it
Me be treated like a punk? You know that's unheard of
I refuse to be disrespected or treated like a coward
You better watch how you talkin' and where you walkin'
Be careful how you speak and where you go in this dangerous environment
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
Or you and your friends may end up being murdered and marked with chalk outlines
I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc
I'm reluctant to be paranoid, but I have to be alert and aware of my surroundings
As they croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke
When my enemies die, I can see my reflection in the gun smoke
Fool, I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
I am the type of gangster that young people want to emulate
On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the streetlight
I sometimes show vulnerability and pray for guidance in the middle of the street at night
They been spending most their lives
People in this environment have spent much of their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Living in a dangerous and difficult neighborhood full of crime and violence
We keep spending most our lives
We continue to dedicate most of our lives
Look at the situation they got me facin'
Look at the difficult circumstances that I am currently experiencing
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the state
I cannot live a regular life because I was raised in government custody
So I gotta be down with the hood team
So I need to be loyal to my gang
Too much television watching, got me chasing dreams
Watching too much TV has led me to have unrealistic expectations and aspirations
I'm a educated fool with money on my mind
I am an educated individual with a strong desire for money
Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I have a ten-dollar bill in my hand and a determined look in my eyes
I'm a loc'd out gangsta, set trippin' banger
I am a fully committed and dangerous gang member
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger
My friends are fully committed to this lifestyle and I will not tolerate anyone who disrespects them
Fool, death ain't nothin' but a heart beat away
Death is always a possibility in this environment
I'm livin' life do or die, what can I say?
I am living every day as a struggle for survival
I'm twenty-three now but will I live to see twenty-four?
I am young but worry that I won't live to see my next birthday
The way things is going, I don't know
Given the current circumstances, I am unsure if I will survive
Tell me why are we so blind to see
Explain to me why we are unaware of what is happening around us
That the ones we hurt are you and me?
The people we harm are often those within our community
Power and the money, money and the power
Being in control and possessing wealth go hand in hand
Minute after minute, hour after hour
This persistent cycle of pursuing power and wealth never ends
Everybody's running, but half of them ain't lookin'
Everyone is busy chasing after something, but many are not aware of what they truly want
It's going on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin'
There is something happening that I do not understand
They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me
People say I need to improve, but no one is willing to show me how
If they can't understand it, how can they reach me?
If they cannot comprehend my situation, how can they provide help or guidance?
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
I suppose they cannot or will not help me, and that is why I believe that my life is doomed to failure
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, The Administration MP, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder, Artis L Ivey Jr., Doug Rasheed, Lawrence Sanders
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@angelpayan1068
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left
'Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long that
Even my momma 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 talkin' and where you walkin'
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk
I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc
As they croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke
Fool, I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the streetlight
Been spendin' most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Been spendin' most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Look at the situation they got me facing
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the street
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin', 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 loc'd out gangsta, set trippin' banger
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger
Fool, death ain't nothin' but a heart beat away
I'm livin' life do or die, what can I say?
I'm 23 now but 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 me?
Been spendin' most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Been spendin' most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybody's runnin', but half of them ain't lookin'
It's going on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin'
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
Been spendin' most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Been spendin' most their lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives
Livin' in a gangsta's paradise
Keep spendin' most our lives
Livin' in a 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?
@youbrah1661
This song has so much power, soul and heart.
A masterpiece.
@sloppypain8873
absolutely agreed, no one in this generation of rappers today can make a song remotely close to this. Absolutely world class song.
@youbrah1661
@@sloppypain8873 yeah i mean im young (15) so im growing up with this new Generation and i think especialy this somewhat new Wave of lyrical artist has massive Potential and has alredy made classics. But listening to the oldschool stuff especialy this song is something completely different. It has so much more energy then most of the new Artists Songs.
@Piudctufbih152
@@sloppypain8873 i had this song as my ring tong and my mum called me in class and the whole squad (class) even the teacher just sang this is middle of math class like lmao the best teacher ever for not stopping us rapping to it
@Piudctufbih152
@@youbrah1661 the oldschool music is like a drug you just get addicted to listening to it
@kanakazzz
@@sloppypain8873 This song was made not even made by Coolio. It's originally by Stevie Wonder.
@samkelokey4656
It's 2022 and the song is better than 99% of what's in the Billboard today.
@nonchalantyrn
💯
@arkani7904
agreed
@bradlitherland8580
No shit nowadays is just autotune
Pure auto tune
Nothing else but atleast we have spotify and yt to listen to proper rap😂