Gangsta's Paradise (album)

Gangsta's Paradise is the second studio album by American rapper Coolio, released on November 7, 1995. It is Coolio's best-selling album, with over two million copies sold in the United States. The album produced three singles, which became hits: the title track (which was first used in the 1995 film Dangerous Minds,[3] released before Coolio's album), "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)", and "Too Hot".

Gangsta's Paradise
Studio album by
Coolio
ReleasedNovember 7, 1995[1]
StudioEcho Sounds, Los Angeles, California and Studio 56, Hollywood, California
Genre
Length64:25
Label
Producer
  • Coolio
  • Christopher Hamabe
  • Devon Davis
  • Doug Rasheed
  • Bryan "The Wino" Dobbs
Coolio chronology
It Takes a Thief
(1994)		 Gangsta's Paradise
(1995)		 My Soul
(1997)
Singles from Gangsta's Paradise
  1. "Gangsta's Paradise"
    Released: August 1, 1995
  2. "Too Hot"
    Released: October 31, 1995
  3. "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)"
    Released: February 20, 1996

Album information

Three songs were released as singles. "Gangsta's Paradise" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" reached number 5, and "Too Hot" peaked at number 24.

The album was nominated for a 1997 Grammy for Best Rap Album. The song "Gangsta's Paradise" won a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Sumpin' New" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Cash Box(favorable)[5]
Christgau's Consumer GuideA−[6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[8]
Los Angeles Times[9]
Muzik[10]
NME7/10[11]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[12]
The Source[13]
Spin8/10[14]

Spin gave the album 8 out of 10, and said, "Today's rappers aren't interested in sharing any knowledge with outsiders. Coolio is the great exception... the most stylistically broad mainstream rap album you'll probably hear all year. Even upon first listen, it sounds like a collection of hits."[15]

Entertainment Weekly ranked the album #4 on EW's Top 10 Albums of 1995, and said, "The level-headed street philosopher, preaching respect for black women, fatherly responsibility, and safe sex... continuing in the great tradition of Sly Stone and Stevie Wonder... Coolio and his crew make the ghetto seem not just a place of desolation, but of hope."[16][17]

The Source gave the album 4 Mics out of 5, and said, "The crazy braided one brings skilled and insightful lyrics that reach and relate to all levels of the Black experience... sets standards that corny lyrics and catchy loops can't compete with... Few artists can straddle the line between commercial and underground hip-hop."[18]

Musician said, "Coolio ties his music to a message that's as deep as the groove."[19]

Rap Pages gave the album 7 out of 10, and said, "Maybe because he rapped for a decade with no props, got yanked on record deals... this cool-ass homie from Compton has stayed grounded... Coolio rejoices in the only life he knows."[20]

NME gave the album 7 out of 10, and said, "Instead of playing the role of the Uzi-toting big-shot, he adopts a more reflective view of urban life in Los Angeles... In doing so, Coolio takes a deliberate step forward from last year's light-hearted debut."[21]

Track listing
# Title Producer(s) Performer(s) Length
1 "That's How It Is" Coolio Coolio, Talkbox 1:00
2 "Geto Highlites" Christopher Hamabe, Devon Davis Coolio, 40 Thevz (backing vocals) 4:59
3 "Gangsta's Paradise" Doug Rasheed, Danger Jay Coolio, L.V., Trinna Simmons (backing) 4:00
4 "Too Hot" Bryan Wino Dobbs Coolio, J.T. Taylor 3:40
5 "Cruisin'" Christopher Hamabe, Devon Davis Coolio, Malika, Shaunna D. (backing) 4:34
6 "Exercise Yo Game" Jay Williams, Maurice Thompson 40 Thevz, Coolio, E-40, Kam 4:49
7 "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" James Carter, Poison Ivey Coolio 3:33
8 "Smilin'" Dominic Aldridge, James Carter, Reece Carter (co-producer) Coolio, Baby G (backing) 4:07
9 "Fucc Coolio" Coolio Coolio 0:50
10 "Kinda High Kinda Drunk" Dominic Aldridge, James Carter, Danny Taylor (co-producer) Coolio 3:44
11 "For My Sistas" Oji Pierce Coolio, Lashann Dendy 4:26
12 "Is This Me?" Devon Davis, Roblow for Crimelab Production Coolio, L.V., Rated R 4:23
13 "A Thing Goin' On" Oji Pierce Coolio, Jeremy Monroe 4:45
14 "Bright As the Sun" Oji Pierce Coolio, Will Wheaton 4:47
15 "Recoup This" Spoon Coolio, Capucine Jackson (backing), P.S. (backing) 1:21
16 "The Revolution" Bryan Wino Dobbs Coolio 3:48
17 "Get Up, Get Down" Bryan Wino Dobbs Coolio, Malika, Shorty, Leek Ratt, P.S., WC & Ras Kass 5:32

Samples and interpolations
  • "Geto Highlites" contains a sample of "Groove With You", originally performed by The Isley Brothers. The intro of the song contains interpolations of the lines "What you gonna play now?" from "Make It Funky", originally performed by James Brown, and "Get on up" from "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine", also originally performed by James Brown.
  • "Gangsta's Paradise" contains an interpolation of "Pastime Paradise", originally performed by Stevie Wonder, and the first line of the song is taken from Psalm 23.
  • "Too Hot" contains an interpolation of "Too Hot", originally performed by Kool & The Gang.
  • "Cruisin'" contains an interpolation of "Cruisin'", originally performed by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.
  • "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" contains samples of "Thighs High (Grip Your Hips More)", originally performed by Tom Browne, and "Wikka Wrap", originally performed by The Evasions.
  • "Smilin'" contains an interpolation of "You Caught Me Smiling", originally performed by Sly & The Family Stone.
  • "Kinda High, Kinda Drunk" contains interpolations of "Saturday Night" and "The Boyz in Da Hood"
  • "For My Sistas" contains an interpolation of "Make Me Say It Again Girl", originally performed by The Isley Brothers.
  • "A Thing Goin' On" contains an interpolation of "Me and Mrs. Jones", originally performed by Billy Paul.
  • "The Revolution" contains an interpolation of "Magic Night".
  • "Get Up, Get Down" contains an interpolation of "Chameleon", originally performed by Herbie Hancock.

Charts

Certifications and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] Gold 35,000^
Belgium (BEA)[45] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[46] Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[47] 2× Gold 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[48] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[49] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Platinum 15,000^
Sweden (GLF)[51] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[52] 2× Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[54] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 5,000,000[55]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003). All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-Hop. p. 81. ISBN 0-87930-759-5.
  2. "Coolio :: Gangsta's Paradise :: Tommy Boy/Warner Bros". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16. The production throughout "Gangsta's Paradise" is excellent, capturing a pleasant, upbeat g-funk sound.
  3. Dangerous Minds at IMDb
  4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio". AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  5. Robertson IV, Gil L. (December 23, 1995). "Urban" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 11. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  6. Christgau, Robert (October 15, 2000). "Coolio: Gangsta's Paradise". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 9780312245603.
  7. Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958.
  8. Browne, David (November 10, 1995). "Gangsta's Paradise". Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  9. Coker, Cheo (November 11, 1995). "** Coolio, "Gangsta's Paradise," Tommy Boy". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  10. Ashon, Will (December 1995). "Coolio: Gangster's Paradise" (PDF). Muzik. No. 7. p. 82. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  11. "Coolio: Gangsta's Paradise". NME. 1995-11-04. p. 49. ...Instead of playing the role of the Uzi-toting big-shot, he adopts a more reflective view of urban life in Los Angeles....In doing so, Coolio takes a deliberate step forward from last year's light-hearted debut...
  12. Harris, Keith (2004). "Coolio". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743201698.
  13. Gordon, Allen S. (February 1996). "Record Report: Coolio – Gangsta's Paradise". The Source. No. 77. pp. 87–88.
  14. Walters, Barry (January 1996). "Coolio: Gangsta's Paradise". Spin. SPIN Media LLC. p. 82. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  15. 1/96, p.82
  16. 12/29/95-1/5/96, p.132
  17. 11/10/95, p.62
  18. 2/96, pp.87-88
  19. 2/96, p.94
  20. 12/95, p.30
  21. 11/4/95, p.49
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