Gangsta’s Paradise
Coolio
Featuring L.V.
Produced by Doug Rasheed
Album Gangsta’s Paradise
Verified commentary by
Paul Stewart
[Recording Info]
[Verse 1: Coolio]
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 that little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night, sayin’ prayers in the streetlight
[Hook 1: LV]
Keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
Been spendin’ most their lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
We keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
We keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
[Verse 2: Coolio]
Look at the situation they got me facin’
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 chasin’ 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 are 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 goin’ I don’t know
[Hook 2: LV]
Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me?
[Hook 1: LV]
Keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
Been spendin’ most their lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
We keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
We keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
[Verse 3: Coolio]
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 goin’ 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!
[Hook 1: LV]
Keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
Been spendin’ most their lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
We keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
We keep spendin’ most our lives
Livin’ in a gangsta’s paradise
[Hook 2: LV]
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?
There’s actually some good lines throughout the song.
It’s like he knows he wasted his life but can’t break free of that STUPID gangsta mindset.
I could have made a bundle on the docks when I was 18. I SHOULD HAVE!! :)
But there would have been a price to pay when the favor was called in, so I went to college instead.
Did I make the right move? I dont know.
But going to college was better than possibly dying or getting hurt or going to jail though, cause you NEVER know what that favor is going to be.
There’s ALWAYS a choice.