Coolio feat. L.V. - Gangsta's Paradise [MCA MCD 33563] {Europe 1995, Single}

Extraction Log:



CD Info:

Coolio Featuring L.V. – Gangsta's Paradise

Label: MCA Records
Catalog#: MCD 33563
Format: CD, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1995
Genre: Hip Hop, Stage & Screen
Style: RnB/Swing, Soundtrack, Pop Rap

Tracklist:

1 Gangsta's Paradise 4:03
2 Gangsta's Paradise (Instrumental) 3:51
3 Fantastic Voyage (Album Version) 4:05

Notes:

Track 1: Taken from the soundtrack album "DANGEROUS MINDS".
Also featured on "GANGSTA'S PARADISE", the fourthcoming album from COOLIO coming November '95, and L.V.'s debut album "I AM L.V." coming January 1996 on Tommy Boy Records.
Track 3: Taken from the COOLIO album "IT TAKES A THIEF"

Tracks 1&2 Published by T-Boy Music Publishing, Inc. O/B/O Itself & Boo Daddy Music/Larry Sanders Publishing Designee/Songs Of Polygram International, Inc./ Madcastle Muzic.
Track 3 Published by I.Q. Music Limited/ Copyright Control

"Gangsta's Paradise" contains a sample from "Pastime Paradise" (Stevie Wonder). Jobete Music Co, Inc./Black Bull Music, Inc. (ASCAP). Used by Permission. Performed by Stevie Wonder. Used Courtesy Of Motown Records. By Agreement with PolyGram Special Markets. A Division Of PolyGram Group Distribution, Inc. Coolio and L.V. appear courtesy of Tommy Boy Records.

? 1995 MCA Records, Inc.
© 1995 MCA Records, Inc.
Distributed by BMG.
Made in the EC.

- "Fantastic Voyage" contains elements of the same named song originally performed by Lakeside (1980).
- In the booklet, the tracks are listed as "programs" instead of "tracks".

Barcode and Other Identifiers:

Barcode: 008813356321
Matrix / Runout: SONOPRESS M-2133/ MCD33563 B
Other (Mastering SID Code): IFPI L030
Other (Mould SID Code): IFPI 0724
Other (Label Code): LC 1056
Other (Rights Societies): BIEM/GEMA
Other (Distribution Code): F:BM 620

Discogs Url: http://www.discogs.com/Coolio-Featuring-LV-Gangstas-Paradise/release/346169

"Gangsta's Paradise" is a rap song by Coolio featuring L.V.. The song was released on the Coolio album Gangsta's Paradise, as well as the Dangerous Minds soundtrack in 1995. Coolio was awarded 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.

It sampled the chorus and music of the song "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder (1976). Wonder performed the song with Coolio and L.V. at the 1995 Billboard Awards.

The song was also listed at number 69 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All-Time and number one biggest selling single of 1995 on U.S. Billboard. In 2008, it was ranked number 38 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

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.

This song is one of the few Coolio tracks which does not feature profanity. wikipedia