During the last five months of 1995, it was virtually impossible to go anywhere without hearing the soulful, streetwise strains of “Gangsta’s Paradise” blasting out of somebody’s radio. Distinguished by Coolio’s thoughtful lyrics and distinctive verbal flow, L.V.’s gospel-tinged wail and Doug Rasheed’s starkly funky production, the song is a…

Source: RollingStone
Link: Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise': The Oral History of 1995's Pop-Rap Smash