Though receiving a mixed reception, the music video forged the union of Pfeiffer and Coolio onscreen. The song was also released as part of the Dangerous Minds film soundtrack, which featured Hollywood actress Michelle Pfeiffer. Its talk of redemption, self-reflection and despair is phenomena universally experienced - not just by those in the hood. Without, its potential for commercialisation increased, pushing lyrical themes further afield. Initially, Stevie Wonder rejected the sample after hearing the song’s profanity he didn’t want his music to be featured on ‘some hood song.’ So Coolio compromised. For the time, ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ balanced pop and rap with an innovative sophistication. The balance curates a certain light-heartedness, but protects rap’s characteristics a revolving beat, a passionate message. While the song’s verses present a vision of 90s rap, the discernible soul of Wonder teamed with L.V’s harmonies relieve the associated, murky tension of the genre. Who doesn’t know – or like - Wonder, anyway?
To have it featured on ‘Gangsta’s Delight’ gave many an insight into something alien from a position of revered familiarity. Stevie Wonder’s infectious sway was a mainstream phenomenon it’s won Grammy after Grammy, it smashed through the charts and secured international acclaim. It simplified a once isolated sound, soft launching it to the masses. It moved hip hop to straddle genre, and opened the door to rap’s experimentation. It’s these characteristics that gave ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ a new eccentricity. The release of ‘Gangsta’s Paradise,’ was one. In 1995, hip hop was clearly on the verge a breakthrough: it just needed an all-encompassing moment of exposure. Its chart reign doesn’t surprise us like it would have then. Though rap continues to represent these voices today, it’s received differently. It spoke to marginalised black youth culture, entrenched far from mass legitimisation. Received as a voice for the hood the genre synonymous with violence, crime and social depravity.
Though both records dabbled in radio play and acclaim, early 90s rap remained a subculture. 23 years on: we’re still celebrating.Īs the ‘golden age’ of hip hop simmered into the nineties, Nas’ seminal debut ‘Illmatic’ sent tremors through the East Coast and the hardcore sounds of Biggie’s ‘Ready To Die’ lurked on the Billboard. But because it fast tracked the essential – and forthcoming – union between hip hop, rap and the mainstream. Not because it beat Michael Jackson to a number one slot, or because it featured landmark sampling. Not just because it’s sold at least 6 million copies worldwide, making it one of the genres’ best-selling singles, or because it topped the 1995 US Billboard. Iconic strings, a lurching beat and lyrical prayers of redemption Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise,’ is one of rap’s most treasured creations. The club – which is well known to have friends in high places – has previously hosted intimate shows from rap royalty like Snoop Dogg and opened at its current site the same year that Coolio released 'Gangsta's Paradise', which means this one will be a night to remember. To mark the occasion, hip hop titan Coolio will play a very special anniversary party on Tuesday October 9.
Exeter's legendary Timepiece venue is celebrating its 25th birthday.
0 kommentar(er)
