Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (born August 1, 1963) is an American rapper, actor, record producer, and chef better known by his stage name Coolio. In the late 1980s, he was a member of the electro hip hop groups Sound Master Crew and Nu-Skool before joining WC and the Maad Circle in 1991. With his albums It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul, Ivey achieved mainstream success in the mid-1990s. He is best known for his Grammy Award-winning single "Gangsta's Paradise," which appeared on his self-titled album and the soundtrack to the film Dangerous Minds. He is also well-known for his singles "Fantastic Voyage," "C U When U Get There," and "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)."
Following Song Meanings and Facts (2021) "this isn't your typical gangsta rap in which the vocalist is portrayed as a tough, uncompromising individual". Coolio and company wrote the lyrics specifically for the film ''Dangerous Minds'' (1995). The movie differences in behaviour around a group of high school students from the getto. As a result Coolio sets out to capture the sense of pessimism that comes with growing up in such an environment. That's why in the second verse he wonders if he'll be alive a year from now. This is a common way of thinking of young males from internal American communities. The song makes clear such environments are full of gun violence.
In conclusion the title gangsta's paradise would be alternative name for the ghetto and the title of the song is sarcastic. There is nothing contained in the lyrics which point to the idea of the 'hood' (slang of neighbourhood) being enjoyable. According to SMF (2021): ''rather the term paradise is more or less synonymous with the word 'ideology''.
Today, the term "ghetto" appears to be anachronistic, and, at worst, offensive. Following Geary (2017): ''when you’re white, you don’t know what it’s like to be living in a ghetto.” In my opinion with this description we can exactly imagine what it is.
This song represents the type of gangsta lifestyle and young men actually seek to live on the streets in California. Also California is the place where film ''Dangerous Minds'' is set and which also Coolio grew up. There is also no hope in the mind of individual for a prosperous future. As SMF (2021) stated: ''Coolio rather focuses on a very important topic. He focuses on the general sense of hopelessness many people who reside in such areas are actually afflicted with.''
Now I become more familiar with the artist and the concept behind the lyrics in his song. I think I'm well prepared with an idea for my essay. I know the origins of the song, the story behind it and why it has been written. Now it will be much easier to analyse the lyrics in the essay. In addition, as I would like to improve my skills in writing, compared to last term in the next Set essay blog post I will do the research about how to write better essays and look into poetry handbook.
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise lyrics:
References
Epstein, D. and Epstein, D., 2022. The Oral History of Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise'. [online] Rolling Stone. Available at: <https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coolios-gangstas-paradise-the-oral-history-of-1995s-pop-rap-smash-50357/> [Accessed 30 April 2022].
Geary, D., 2017. Is There Such a Thing as the American Ghetto? - Dissent Magazine. [online] Dissent Magazine. Available at: <https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/ghetto-mitchell-duneier-review> [Accessed 30 April 2022].
Hip Hop Wiki. 2022. Coolio. [online] Available at: <https://hip-hop-music.fandom.com/Coolio> [Accessed 30 April 2022].
Song Meanings and Facts. 2022. Coolio's "Gangsta’s Paradise" Lyrics Meaning - Song Meanings and Facts. [online] Available at: <https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/coolios-gangstas-paradise-lyrics-meaning/> [Accessed 30 April 2022].
Yourdictionary.com. 2022. Hood Definitions | What does hood mean? | Best 43 Definitions of Hood. [online] Available at: <https://www.yourdictionary.com/hood> [Accessed 30 April 2022].
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Good start on your research for the set essay - well done
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