: L.V. recorded a gospel-tinged chorus, and Coolio, then an up-and-coming West Coast rapper, wrote the verses to fit the vibe.
: It was the Number One song of 1995 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the first time a rap song achieved this year-end distinction. Gangstas Paradise
: It stayed at No. 1 in Australia for 14 weeks, a record only broken 22 years later by Ed Sheeran. Cultural Impact and Parody The song's influence reached far beyond the radio: : It stayed at No
: Producer Doug Rasheed discovered the sample—a mournful synth loop mimicking a string section—while competing with a roommate to find the best record samples. : Initially, Wonder was hesitant to clear the
: Initially, Wonder was hesitant to clear the sample due to the song's "ghetto" themes. To secure permission, Coolio removed all profanity, a rarity for gangsta rap at the time, which ultimately broadened the song's appeal. Connection to "Dangerous Minds"
: Satirist "Weird Al" Yankovic created a parody titled "Amish Paradise" in 1996. While Coolio initially took offense, he later apologized, calling the parody a "compliment" to the song's greatness.