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COOLIO
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (born August 1, 1963), better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, actor and record producer.
MOOD
Dark and tragic – meant to be a criticism of the violence and tragedy of gangster life.
THEME
Life on the streets
STRUCTURE
Can be seen as alyrical poem as it is a famous rap song.
SETTING
• American ghettos or any gangster affiliated areas in America.
• It can also suggest any other area around the world related to gangsterism.
TITLE
GANGSTA’S PARADISE
SLANG: An American term for a member of a criminal group/gang
CONTRAST (oxymoron)Gang: violenceParadise: peace
For a gangster the streets are their paradise
LINE 1
As I walk through the valley of the shadow ofdeathALLUSION:
(direct or indirect referal to something that the writer or speaker assumes is common knowledge)Bible; Psalm 23:4
WORD PLAY:VALLEY vs ALLEY
…3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.…
LINE 2
I take a look at my life and realize there’s not much left
Literally: been spending his life gaining nothing and losing everything.
Figuratively: lost the meaning of life.
LINE 3
Cause I’ve been blastin’ and laughin’ so long that
•The sound made by an explosion.•Good time: an enjoyable occasion of fun and laughter (slang)
way of expressing amusement
Enjoying gang lifeJoy or excitement of killing
LINE 4
Even my ma’ma thinks that my mind is gone
•Mother does not know her own child•He had a personality change due to his gang affiliation (possible drug use)
LINE 5
But I ain’t never crossed a man that didn’t deserve it
•Kill•Back-stab
He never killed/back stabbed a man who showed him respect.
Informal language & Americanism
LINE 6
Me, be treated like a punk, you know that’s unheard of A young wild, lawless
personDenies being a lawless person; does not take responsibility for his actions. He forces people to respect him, by “force”.
LINE 7-8
You better watch how you talkin’, and where youwalkin’
Or you and your homies
might be lined in chalk
Gang life lives on the principle of mutual respect. Trespassing on a gang’s territory or bad-mouthing them is a sign of disrespect and thus you are warned or killed (look at line 8)
Shortened version of ‘homeboy’: member of an American gang (slang)
Murder scene
LINE 9
I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc’
A drug induced hallucinating experience
Informal language: going to
He tries to stop but is too dependent on drugs either to forget his problem or give him the capability to do violence.
LINE 10
As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, foolSlang: to dieDeep hoarse sound
i.e. the sound his victims make as they die
Silly person; person whose conduct is unwise.
Refers to:•Himself•Person he shoots
He sees how they die as he shoots them.
LINE 11
I’m the kinda G the
little homies wanna be like
Informal language: kind ofwant to
Less important/new gang members or even young children living in the American ghettos
Old initiated gang memberThe capital letter might even suggest his importance in the gang
Older gang member is a role model for the newer members
LINE 12 - 13
On my knees in the night
Sayin’ prayers in the street light
Might refer to:• Has no home or lives on the street and thus says his prayer on the streets.
• On his knees in a execution manner with a gun to his head praying that he won’t be shot
LINE 14 - 15
Been spendin’ most our lives livin’ in the Gangstas Paradise
Been spendin’ most our lives livin’ in the Gangstas Paradise
REPETITION:Born into gangs due to social circumstances.
LINE 16 - 17
Keep spendin’ most our lives livin’ in the Gangstas Paradise
Keep spendin’ most our lives livin’ in the Gangstas Paradise
REPETITION:Stay in gangs because it is a way of life or a choice they made. They have no choice.
