"Gangsta's Paradise" is a rap song by Coolio featuring L.V. from the movie Dangerous Minds (1995) (starring Michelle Pfeiffer). The song was later released on the albums Gangsta's Paradise and Dangerous Minds soundtrack in 1995. Coolio was awarded a Grammy for the song/album. The song was voted as the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll.

It sampled the chorus and music of the song "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder (1976).

The song was also listed at #69 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All-Time. & #1 biggest selling single of 1995 on U.S. Billboard.

In 2008, it was ranked number 38 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

Background and writing

L.V. released a solo version of the single in 1996 on his debut album, I Am L.V.. This version did not feature Coolio, and featured additional lyrics written by L.V. himself. The single did not repeat the popularity of the original with Coolio.