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Gangsta's Paradise 1

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A 30-second clip of Coolio's 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise, sampling Stevie Wonder. Creators use it for ironic edits, throwback memes and dramatic reveals.

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About this sound

A 30-second clip of Coolio's 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise, sampling Stevie Wonder. Creators use it for ironic edits, throwback memes and dramatic reveals.

This clip captures the unmistakable opening of Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise: a haunting choir-like synth drawn from Stevie Wonder's Pastime Paradise, a deep rolling bassline, and Coolio's smooth, weary rap about life on the streets. The featured vocals from L.V. lift the chorus into something almost gospel-like, giving the track its heavy, reflective mood. Hearing it instantly sets a serious, cinematic tone, which is exactly why editors love flipping it into comedy — the contrast between the song's gravity and a silly or mundane visual lands every time.

Pro tip

Drop the clip as your subject walks into frame in slow motion, then hard-cut the music the instant the punchline lands. Duck dialogue under the bassline so the choir stays audible, and avoid looping the chorus — the opening bars carry the joke better.

How people use it

Slow-motion entrances get an instant cinematic upgrade.
Ironic edits pair street-tough audio with mundane chores.
Throwback compilations open with its recognizable choir intro.
Dramatic reveals land harder under the heavy bassline.

More information

Gangsta's Paradise was released in 1995 by rapper Coolio featuring singer L.V., recorded for the Dangerous Minds soundtrack and built on a sample of Stevie Wonder's 1976 Pastime Paradise. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time, topped charts worldwide, and won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. Weird Al Yankovic's 1996 parody Amish Paradise kept it in pop culture, and its instantly recognizable choir intro made it a lasting staple of reaction videos, sports edits and ironic memes decades later.

FAQ

Who sings Gangsta's Paradise?

The song is performed by American rapper Coolio, with the sung chorus and outro by R&B singer L.V. It was released in 1995 and became Coolio's signature hit, winning a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance the following year.

What song does Gangsta's Paradise sample?

It is built around Stevie Wonder's 1976 track Pastime Paradise, keeping its haunting choir-like refrain and string arrangement. Coolio and producer Doug Rasheed reworked it with a heavier hip-hop beat, and Wonder received a co-writing credit on the hit.

How do creators use this sound in edits?

Editors play it under slow-motion entrances, dramatic reveals and ironic everyday moments, letting the serious tone clash with the visuals. It also opens throwback compilations and sports highlights, where the famous choir intro signals that something epic is about to happen.