Gangsta's Paradise
Pat Benesta Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

one:
As i walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize theres not much left
Cuz ive been blastin and laughin so long
That even my mama thinks that my mind is gone
But i aint never crossed a man that didnt deserve it
He be treated like a punk, you know that son heard up
You better watch how you talkin and where you walkin

Or you and your homiez might be lined in chalk
I really hate to trip, but i gotta, loc
As they cope, i see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
Im the kinda g the little homiez wannabe like
On my knees in the night
Saying prayers in the street light

We've been spending most our lives
Living in the gangstas paradise

two:
They got the situation
hey got me facin
I cant live with no more rights
I was raised by the stripes
So i gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams
Im an educated fool with money on my mind
Got my 10 in my hand and the green in my eye
Im a loced-out gangsta set-trippin banger
And my homiez is, so dont arouse my anger, fool
Death aint nuthin but a heartbeat away
Im livin life doin time, what can i say?
Im 23, now how will i live to see 24
The way things is goin, i dunno

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

We've been spending most our lives
Living in the gangstas paradise

three:
Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybodys runnin, but half of them aint lookin
At whats goin on in the kitchen
But i dont know whats kickin
They say i gotta learn, but nobodys here to teach me
If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
I guess they cant
I guess they wont
I guess they front
Thats why i know my life is outta luck, fool

We've been spending most our lives
Living in the gangstas 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

Overall Meaning

The opening part of “Gangsta's Paradise” by Pat Benesta describes the harsh reality of gang violence in the hood, through the eyes of a gangster. The lyrics depict the intense violence and the hold the gang life has on the individual, who feels trapped or controlled by the unforgiving lifestyle, surrounded by death at every corner. The singer seems to realize that there isn’t much left of his life, but he feels stuck; with images of his life flashing before him as he walks through a dark and dangerous neighborhood. Even his mother thinks that he has lost his mind, a testament to the level of violence and destruction that he has experienced.

In the second verse, the song sheds light on the rapper's hardship and unfairness in the system. He is a product of a corrupt society, where life seems to be measured by the money one has, but he knows better. He believes he has no other options and has been left with his only family, the gang. In the final part, he touches on the greed and power-hungry nature of individuals; how our focus is on getting more money, rather than helping one another, and the fact that the ones we hurt in society are usually ourselves. It's a song with a powerful message: the need to recognize that the ones we hurt are ourselves and that only we can change the cycle of violence and corruption that plagues our society.

Line by Line Meaning

As i walk through the valley of the shadow of death
As I courageously navigate through extremely dangerous situations

I take a look at my life and realize theres not much left
I examine my past and recognize that I've done so much wrong that redemption seems impossible

Cuz ive been blastin and laughin so long
I've been engaging in violence and entertainment for an extended period of time

That even my mama thinks that my mind is gone
My actions have become so extreme that even my mother believes I've lost my mind

But i aint never crossed a man that didnt deserve it
I've only harmed those who have wronged me first

He be treated like a punk, you know that son heard up
Anyone who dares to challenge me will be dealt with harshly

You better watch how you talkin and where you walkin
You need to be careful about the way you speak and where you go, or else you might end up dead

Or you and your homiez might be lined in chalk
If you and your associates continue to provoke us, you may end up dead and on the sidewalk

I really hate to trip, but i gotta, loc
I don't want to be paranoid, but I have to be cautious

As they cope, i see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
As people struggle and are punished, I see myself in the midst of the violence and chaos, foolishly participating

Im the kinda g the little homiez wannabe like
I'm the sort of gangster that younger members aspire to be

On my knees in the night
I pray for forgiveness and redemption in the darkness

Saying prayers in the street light
I pray for salvation while in the dim glow of a street lamp

We've been spending most our lives Living in the gangstas paradise
We have dedicated a significant portion of our existence to the violent and dangerous lifestyle of gangsters

They got the situation hey got me facin
The situation I am in is dire and frightening

I cant live with no more rights
I refuse to live without the autonomy and freedom I feel I deserve

I was raised by the stripes
I was taught to be tough and confrontational from a young age

So i gotta be down with the hood team
I feel obliged to remain loyal to my gang and the community I grew up in

Too much television watchin got me chasin dreams
Watching too much TV has led me to pursue lofty and unattainable aspirations

Im an educated fool with money on my mind
I have been formally educated, yet my primary focus is on acquiring wealth

Got my 10 in my hand and the green in my eye
I wield a firearm and am fueled by ambition and greed

Im a loced-out gangsta set-trippin banger
I am a hardened gangster who is active in gang warfare

And my homiez is, so dont arouse my anger, fool
I have a group of associates who will retaliate if they or I are threatened

Death aint nuthin but a heartbeat away
Death is a constant and ever-present possibility in my life

Im livin life doin time, what can i say?
My life of crime is both my punishment and my plight

Im 23, now how will i live to see 24 The way things is goin, i dunno
I am 23 years old and question whether or not I will survive to see 24 due to the dangerous lifestyle I lead

That the ones we hurt are you and me
The people we harm are ultimately ourselves and those around us

Power and the money, money and the power
Control and wealth are closely intertwined

Minute after minute, hour after hour
Continuously and without pause

Everybodys runnin, but half of them aint lookin
Many people are fleeing their problems without actually addressing or solving them

At whats goin on in the kitchen But i dont know whats kickin
There are events and circumstances occurring that I am unaware of

They say i gotta learn, but nobodys here to teach me
People advise me to improve myself, but no one seems willing or able to guide me

If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
If someone cannot empathize with my situation, how can they help me?

I guess they cant I guess they wont I guess they front
I suppose they are unable, unwilling, or insincere

Thats why i know my life is outta luck, fool
This is why I believe my life is doomed and without hope, fool

Contributed by Austin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS