The MC was able to capture a grim reality, without being particularly graphic or profane. On August 8, 1995, Coolio released “Gangsta’s Paradise” (months before the album of the same name would follow). The resulting song used Coolio’s skill-set.

The Michelle Pfeiffer-starring Dangerous Minds film was among a growing movie trend highlighting difficult classrooms, and teachers shutting down the nonsense. Moreover, as was popular at the time, Coolio attached his product to a soundtrack. It Takes A Thief reached the mainstream as a street-certified party album. Even for Snoop (who shouted out Coolio on “Doggy Dogg World”), the rapper was not perceived as a gimmick, but as a low-profile MC with dues paid.įor his 1995 follow-up, Coolio aimed to make a statement. A Top 10 album, Coolio suddenly joined Naughty By Nature as a flagship label act, and one of Hip-Hop’s crossover sensations. “Fantastic Voyage” literally brought Lakeside back to the charts with it, as Coolio’s imagery of moving from the trunk to the sunshine seemingly symbolized his career surge. Huge on sampling, and utilizing scaled back PG-13 lyrics in the “Ain’t No Fun” era, Coolio became the other SoCal MC with elaborate braids, memorable wardrobe, lowriders in his video, and a true showmanship for the MTV camera. With limited support, and no ties to established West Coast mainstream guard (Death Row, Ruthless), Coolio made a platinum album. There, 1994’s debut It Takes A Thief surprised anybody and everybody.

made some of his first noise alongside WC, DJ Crazy Toones and the collective known as WC & The Maad Circle.Īs the group recorded their sophomore album, 1995’s Curb Servin’, Coolio stepped out of Dub’s perceived shadow and inked a solo deal with Tommy Boy Records. A product of Southern California, the MC born Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Coolio seemed to be living in the shadows.

Coolio gangsta paradise sample