Artist: Coolio
Album: Gangsta’s Paradise
Release Year: 1995

Overview

We all know the singles on this album. Well, at least if you are my age, you do. Sorry, Gen Z. So many Coolio memories. It’s most known song, Gangsta’s Paradise was rivaled by Weird Al’s parody of it, which is a masterpiece in its own right. Chris Rock also delivered a line forever burned into my brain in his song about strip clubs. Coolio’s life, before releasing an album, was a textbook perfect example of hip-hop tropes. Drugs, crimes, prison time. Everything he needed for street cred in the world of gangsta rap. But he overcame it all with the help of his family and Christianity. He would later serve as a volunteer fire fighter after getting his life together. Coolio’s importance in hip-hop cannot be overstated. This album went triple platinum and was a HUGE hit in the US and the UK. After rapping, he got into reality TV and even had a cooking show. He also did voice work for Futurama as Kwanzaa bot. It sounds like he lived an exciting life. Far more exciting than the guy sitting in front of his computer writing this review. Unfortunately, Coolio passed away on September 28, 2022 from a drug overdose at the age of 59. Thank you Coolio for making high school that much better for me. You brought me a lot of joy.

The Review

What Works

• The lead single: Gangsta’s Paradise started its life as a single from the Michelle Pfeiffer movie, Criminal Dangerous Minds. The movie is based on the book My Posse Don’t Do Homework by LouAnne Johnson who, like Coolio, was born in Pennsylvania. I don’t know what to say about this song other than it is perfect. The beat is beyond iconic. His somber lyrics about the perils of growing up in the hood and its associated hopelessness wasn’t something everyone could empathize with but I think we all connected with it. Ironically, he was in his 30s when he wrote the line wondering if he would see 24.
• The skits. The opening track, That’s How It Is, expresses the dichotomy of loving what you’re trying to escape. It’s heavy but it’s not all serious. Fucc Coolio and Recoup This are highly entertaining and provide nice breaks between songs. There were a lot of 90s hip-hop albums with skits but Coolio’s are up there for me.
• G-Funk. It really hit me like a cannonball to the stomach while listening to this album how much I miss it. The wobbling synthesizer accompanying the laid back funk beats puts a smile on my face. Can we please bring it back? Where you at, Gen Z? You brought back shoegaze. Bring back G-Funk. Do it.
• Variety. This album has a wide array of songs on it and they all work together. Serious. Party. Funny. Sorrow. Joy. Love. Aggression. Coolio has no problem switching between them as he delivers the perfect lyrical flow every time. Some rappers only know how to rap one way. He had a swiss army knife in his back pocket adapting to the song however he needed to. It’s a fantastic voyage from beginning to end. I never got tired of this album.

What Doesn’t

• Nothing. I can’t fault it. Sorry, not sorry, this section isn’t longer.

Conclusion

This album is for everyone. If you haven’t listened to it before, you should. Queue it up on Spotify and enjoy something new.

Reviewer’s Note

I decided to switch back to a dedicated MP3 player and my favorite wired headphones for work. My Sony wireless earbuds sound fantastic and I love the ANC but I can’t wear them for hours on end like my wired ones. No more streaming. Just me and my files. I slowly built up a playlist of random albums that I went through on repeat. And I randomly decided to play Gangsta’s Paradise on repeat. My brain lit up like the sun. The dopamine hits of years ago came back in full force as it played over and over. So here we are.