Gangsta's Paradise: Difference between revisions
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The song was extremely popular and heavily played during its release. It was the first rap song to be played on [[New York City]]'s famous ''[[Z100]]'' radio station. After the song's success, Z100 later expanded their playlists to include other hip hop, rap, and [[R&B]] music. Soon after, other mainstream popular music stations followed suit, adding "Gangsta's Paradise" and other hip hop to their lineups. |
The song was extremely popular and heavily played during its release. It was the first rap song to be played on [[New York City]]'s famous ''[[Z100]]'' radio station. After the song's success, Z100 later expanded their playlists to include other hip hop, rap, and [[R&B]] music. Soon after, other mainstream popular music stations followed suit, adding "Gangsta's Paradise" and other hip hop to their lineups. |
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The song also was the first ever ''[[Gangsta rap]]'' hit to |
The song also was the first ever ''[[Gangsta rap]]'' hit to be a UK ''#1''. |
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There are some parodies of the song, including "[[Amish Paradise]]" by [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]. Coolio claimed that he did not give permission for the parody, which led to disagreements between the two. Yankovic claimed that he was told Coolio had given the go-ahead through his record label, and apologized. Photos from the [[XM Satellite Radio]] booth at the 2006 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] suggest Al and Coolio may have made amends. [http://rosiedemario.blogspot.com/2006/01/when-weird-al-met-coolio.html] |
There are some parodies of the song, including "[[Amish Paradise]]" by [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]. Coolio claimed that he did not give permission for the parody, which led to disagreements between the two. Yankovic claimed that he was told Coolio had given the go-ahead through his record label, and apologized. Photos from the [[XM Satellite Radio]] booth at the 2006 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] suggest Al and Coolio may have made amends. [http://rosiedemario.blogspot.com/2006/01/when-weird-al-met-coolio.html] |
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Revision as of 18:38, 26 January 2006
"Gangsta's Paradise" is a rap song by Coolio (born Artis Ivey) from the movie Dangerous Minds (1995) (starring Michelle Pfeiffer). The song was later released on the album Gangsta's Paradise in 1996. Coolio was awarded with 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.
The music is taken from "Pastime Paradise", a Stevie Wonder 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. The lyrics are original.
The song begins with a line from Psalm 23 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 nothing left. Adding to some of the religious overtones are choral vocals in the background.
Much of the lyrics are very tragic and are meant to be a criticism of the violence and tragedy of the "gangsta" life. The choral lines 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 song was extremely popular and heavily played during its release. It was the first rap song to be played on New York City's famous Z100 radio station. After the song's success, Z100 later expanded their playlists to include other hip hop, rap, and R&B music. Soon after, other mainstream popular music stations followed suit, adding "Gangsta's Paradise" and other hip hop to their lineups.
The song also was the first ever Gangsta rap hit to be a UK #1.
There are some parodies of the song, including "Amish Paradise" by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Coolio claimed that he did not give permission for the parody, which led to disagreements between the two. Yankovic claimed that he was told Coolio had given the go-ahead through his record label, and apologized. Photos from the XM Satellite Radio booth at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show suggest Al and Coolio may have made amends. [1]
Another parody, "Ranger's Paradise", was written by a player of Final Fantasy XI and later recreated with a World of Warcraft focus as "Night-Elf Paradise" for entry in the Idols Competition (World of Warcraft). Both versions use strong Fantasy imagery, e.g. "Taking griffon rides cross the mountain snow, to Ironforge's hall - see the metal glow? Well, I'm the wild hunter little night elves wanna be like..."
The Ian Brown song "F.E.A.R." borrows the main riffs from "Gangsta's Paradise".