artis leon ivey jr. (born august 1, 1963), better known by the stage name coolio, is an american...
TRANSCRIPT
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.