Released: May 7, 1996
Songwriter: Doug Rasheed L.V. (South Central Cartel) Stevie Wonder
Producer: Doug Rasheed
[Verse 1]
Just a minute and I can tell you 'bout the things that don't need to be
Here we are at the place where it all began, people, can’t you see?
Thought you knew about the west side, east side Gs on the creep, you know
Only living for the day, never worried about tomorrow
[Pre-Chorus]
Always tripping, now we're slipping
Ladies bitching, babies missing
From the evils of the world
[Chorus]
They've been spending most their lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
We keep spending most of our lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
[Verse 2]
Power and the money, money is the power
Ain't a damn thing funny, this is a jack, so, fool, don't you holler
'Cause I don't have that long and I know that it's wrong
But I live by the G's rules and it's on
So don't you trip, 'cause I won't slip
I keep my G's by my side and my thing on my hip
So don't you creep by my hood without your heat
Or it's the grim reaper that you’re sure to meet
[Refrain]
Ain't no gangstas living in paradise
Ain't no gangstas living in paradise
[Bridge]
Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me
[Chorus]
They've been spending most their lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
We keep spending most of our lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
[Verse 3]
Now here’s another that comes to mind
'Bout a sister that put herself in a bind
She keeps praying on the day
That her man would come home from prison to stay
[Pre-Chorus]
The life she’s livin', the love she’s givin'
The pain is killin', the stress she’s feelin'
From the evils of the world
[Chorus]
They've been spending most their lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
We keep spending most of our lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
[Bridge]
Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me
Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me
[Refrain]
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Just a minute and I can tell you 'bout the things that don't need to be
Here we are at the place where it all began, people, can’t you see?
Thought you knew about the west side, east side Gs on the creep, you know
Only living for the day, never worried about tomorrow
[Pre-Chorus]
Always tripping, now we're slipping
Ladies bitching, babies missing
From the evils of the world
[Chorus]
They've been spending most their lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
We keep spending most of our lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
[Verse 2]
Power and the money, money is the power
Ain't a damn thing funny, this is a jack, so, fool, don't you holler
'Cause I don't have that long and I know that it's wrong
But I live by the G's rules and it's on
So don't you trip, 'cause I won't slip
I keep my G's by my side and my thing on my hip
So don't you creep by my hood without your heat
Or it's the grim reaper that you’re sure to meet
[Refrain]
Ain't no gangstas living in paradise
Ain't no gangstas living in paradise
[Bridge]
Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me
[Chorus]
They've been spending most their lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
We keep spending most of our lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
[Verse 3]
Now here’s another that comes to mind
'Bout a sister that put herself in a bind
She keeps praying on the day
That her man would come home from prison to stay
[Pre-Chorus]
The life she’s livin', the love she’s givin'
The pain is killin', the stress she’s feelin'
From the evils of the world
[Chorus]
They've been spending most their lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
We keep spending most of our lives
Living in the gangsta's paradise
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
Eh ohm ah eh ohm ohm ohm
[Bridge]
Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me
Tell me why are we so blind to see
That the ones we hurt are you and me
[Refrain]
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise
Ain’t no gangstas living in paradise