"Gangsta's Paradise" is a rap song by Coolio featuring L.V. from the movie Dangerous Minds (1995). The song was later released on the albums Gangsta's Paradise and 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 #69 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All-Time and #1 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.
Released | July 31, 1995 |
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Format | CD single, cassette, 12-inch single |
Recorded | 1995 |
Genre | West Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap |
Length | 4:00 |
Label | Tommy Boy Records |
Writer(s) | Coolio Doug Rasheed Larry Sanders Stevie Wonder |
Producer | Doug Rasheed |
Certification | 3x Platinum (RIAA) |