Asia's First time hearing Coolio (feat. L.V.) "Gangsta's Paradise" Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@MrGzduzit]

This song still gets me, chills and tears...This movie was actually about my teacher "Miss J" (Johnson) and our Academy class in 89-92. We grew up in East Palo Alto, CA in the heart of the Yay Area, aka "Small town Cemetery" (always bad but murder capital in 1992) and got bussed to Belmont ("white" neighborhood) Carlmont HS because our HS in EPA had been shut down... My teacher wrote a book called "My Posse Dont Do Homework" and Michelle Pfieffer read the book and wanted to make a movie. Special shout out to Miss J, I def wouldn't have lived thru HS or be alive today if wasn't for her! Thank you, love your reactions Asia & BJ... One Love!

[@blackdiamondshop]

That’s incredible, god bless you.

[@annb8296]

Cool, thanks for sharing! 💕

[@Jedi-Biggs]

💪🏼💯

[@WhiteCheddar]

I got that book. I also picked up "My Darling, My Hamburger."

[@mike04574]

no way she hasnt heard this considering shes old enough

[@leannmiller7153]

I believe she’s showing him that the little boy is imitating him, the cycle continues. Love this song and video. The movie is based on the true story of a former Marine ( Michelle Pfeiffer) who takes a teaching position in an inner city school.

[@DK-001]

I think the boy is his son.

[@recoil53]

Yes, similar to the end of New Jack Hustler, though in that video Ice-T is self aware enough to push the kid away.

[@belentae6341]

@@recoil53 Here too, that's why he takes off his glasses and sings all that so that he understands it.

[@Tackleberry61]

The thing I notice with the kid, is the same look in his eyes that Coolio has. A stare that has so much pent up anger, rage, and hate behind it. Really says a lot.

[@danaherbie3208]

The movie is called Dangerous minds this is on the soundtrack I have the movie

[@Mainecoonlady.]

Great movie…. Dangerous Minds. 1995. Remember this is a movie soundtrack. Orchestra, yes, the arrangement is studio symphonic because they played it in the movie. This is old school rap. Coolio was the bomb. Special shout out to L.V., singing the chorus. And…. I loved his hair. Everyone has their own style. Actually once you get passed the hair, his signature is ground breaking rap. No swearing, no threats, no sex. Just amazing story telling. Actress is Michelle Pfeifer … you know, Bruno Mars, “Michelle Pfeifer, that white gold”.

[@makaveliuk86]

See you when you get there was the one👀👌🔥🔥💜

[@deoncruywagen5191]

Yeah, that was an awesome movie. 👌😎

[@Makaveli13Xroy]

if she only know michelle pfeifer from the bruno mars song; shes too young for you bro lmao

[@susanconstable2113]

I was scrolling looking before commenting to make sure someone put that in there that it’s michelle pfeifer- Bruno mars- that white gold!

[@TanelTheAntiWokeGuy]

Absolute masterpeice! Both the movie and the song! They don't make stuff like this anymore sadly.

[@unintelligentlifeform7180]

As a kid I thought this song was awesome. But as an adult I finally appreciate it fully. It speaks to our cultural issues with violence and how we prey on one another for greed and power. And the cycle continues because we think it is "cool" and worth repeating/replicating

[@Evilrose0611]

Why are we So blind to see The ones we hurt Are you and me.

[@seelenwinter6662]

i allways laugh about US vets from irak, afghanistan or where ever they fought... live 20 years in a ghetto and survive it, is much harder than every normal war...

[@AmusedPastry-jq7nm]

​True song think about it the verses rip. In heaven Coolio ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mandymac74]

Coolio found out Michelle Pfeiffer was coming to do this video and he was very nervous but LOVED her after they did this. They stayed in contact and she was so sad when Coolio passed away. I love this movie. “ There are NO VICTIMS IN THIS CLASSROOM “. It was based on a book called My homies don’t do homework. The lady Michelle played really changed her students lives by showing that sometimes people really do care and want to see you succeed in life. In the movie she would show up at the student’s houses to introduce herself to their parents and gave positive remarks about her students to their parents. Asia, do yourself a favor and watch this movie. It’s so good, promise 😊

[@suprchickn7745]

RIP Coolio, a firm milepost in hip-hop culture and fondly remembered by many Gen X'ers like myself!

[@davidpeters3857]

💯

[@wonder777warrior6]

Rip to dmx too . We losing some greats 😢

[@marisagettas]

I was in 4th year university when this came out, and I lived in an on-campus residence-you could not go two hours without hearing this song somewhere in the building. It was a HUGE hit! HUGE.

[@Scottm-n6h]

This was and still is FIRE! "Fantastic Voyage " is another Big time Hit from Coolio!

[@kimberlinibambini1988]

Yes!

[@theresaeliason3065]

This song is a masterpiece for sure 😊

[@CyberNovax-x6b]

I used to watch kenen and kel as a kid and loved the intro song later on after years I got to know that the intro song i used to like as a kid sung by Coolio...I already connected to his music when I was kid ..it feels nice ❤

[@lazlo5055]

You are correct Asia.....this was a unique beat in its day and was complete 🔥 🔥 heard on every block and every party in the United States.!!

[@ScoobyDoobyDew]

The beat is a Stevie Wonder sample.

[@_S.D._]

I love the movie. Back when it came out I remember watching it with my family and even though I know it was fiction, it gave me a glimpse into a whole new perspective. The actress is Michelle Phifer.

[@tm2bee]

Its based on a true story although I have no way to know how much creative licence was taken.

[@MrGzduzit]

It was based on true story and some factual events were portrayed and some changed when reenacted. A lot of us were portrayed but they only used our last name and some of us were combined and depicted as 1 person in the movie. I thought it was so much softer than our reality of living thru that time, but there is no way to actually put it in a movie. Only us growing up in East Palo Alto and lucky enough to have make it thru thos years alive will ever truly know what it was really like.

[@swimbluewater8105]

Coolio won a Grammy in 1996 for Gangstas z as Paradise.

[@jaccilowe3842]

Originally a Stevie Wonder song Pastime Paradise. He was a little worried about content but eventually allowed Coolio to use it.

[@confucius12012]

That's insane! I did not know this! I did not have the internet back in the summer 1995 so that's my excuse. lol

[@nenelles-dancelikenobody]

Her name is Michelle Pfeiffer. You should see her in the movie SCARFACE with Al Pacino. A MUST SEE!

[@chrisa4695]

This song samples Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise” from his 1976 classic “Songs in the Key of Life” which itself used an interpolation on a Yamaha synthesizer of Bach’s “Prelude No. 2 in C Minor”.

[@SEANBANOG4]

at the end of the day......it's ALL J.S. Bach.....few

[@ibda1uno]

Coolio had to give up 95% of the publishing for this song to Stevie Wonder and not use the "N" word or profanity on it.

[@chrisa4695]

@@ibda1uno Stevie doesn’t play around.

[@RBBlackstone]

@@ibda1uno ​ 95% is Stevie Wonder

[@smbmiller655]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❗

[@shawnsparkman7916]

The lyrics are real as shit, because of how many people in the same place can relate.

[@jorgejimenez-velez648]

That choir is a killer, the song is great storytelling. Ipersonally don't listen to too much Rap. More of an R&B, Disco and pretty much any dance music. A Mac 10 is a Machine pistol it fires lots of bullets very fast. i agree this song was a smash at the time. Saw the movie. Having grown up in Brookly's East New York section in the late 50's, early 60's. The lyrics make a lot of sense. Great song, never get tired of it.

[@tatucorreia]

Everybody vibed to this song for decades without realising the GREAT Message. Which over the years thankfully has spread and things are quite different for many and some of those issues came to the forefront etc etc This is great Rip Coolio

[@jeannieschmidt2217]

Asia - you NEED to see Dangerous Minds. Awesome movie - everyone does a great job. Very powerful message and life lesson.

[@tayann87]

Dangerous minds is one of my favorite movies. And this song still hits me in my feels! One love 💕

[@mikecaetano]

The sample is from "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder and Coolio and his producer gave him a writing credit for it too.

[@monicamar8616]

I’m certain he didn’t just give him writing credit… he HAD to give him the credit. It’s Stevie’s song. He can’t use it without approval or giving credit.

[@steviekc9057]

@@monicamar8616 Coolio's team purchased the rights to use the song - what always got me steamed is Coolio's fury at Weird Al for parodying "his song". I mean, it's good and all, but it will always be Stevie's song.

[@sealdrup]

I always think of Weird Al's parody to this song called 'Amish Paradise'. Not sayin' I don't like this, because I do. Love the chorus!

[@reneesmith983]

Amish Paradise was great!!

[@susanelkins3068]

They MUST watch that next!!!!!!!!!

[@nrkgalt]

When you watch the original after the parody you sometimes can’t help laughing.

[@markadolph8715]

I find it hard to take this seriously, having listened to Weird Al so much

[@sealdrup]

@@markadolph8715 I understand, I really do. Seeing Weird Al in concert in August. I think he is brilliant.

[@christymurphy6571]

One of my fav rap songs. It tells a story & has a message. Whenever I hear it I crank up the volume!! Asia I highly recommend you watch the movie. It's powerful.

[@zoegartham312]

Another movie that is similar is Stand And Deliver, with Edward James Olmos as a math teacher of remedial math in East LA who saw potential in his students and started teaching them Algebra and eventually Calculus. It's based on a true story, and it came out in 1988, 7 years before Dangerous Minds.

[@DaveMustang74]

Stand and Deliver was better.

[@steviekc9057]

Agree - Stand and Deliver is by far the better movie. Lean on Me w/Morgan Freeman is also very well done.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

The Substitute with Tom Beringer was better than both.

[@DaveMustang74]

@@dr.burtgummerfan439 forgot about that one. Awesome movie that's a bit more....hands on. 🤣

[@MrRandyv]

As the kids called him, “ Finger Man”.

[@Oni-Ryu8]

Oh my god it was released in 1995 wow 👌 it's still fresh Holy cow I was 30yoa

[@MikeB12800]

This song was beyond huge when it came out. The Chronic introduced gangsta rap to suburbia with white kids rapping along, this introduced gangsta rap to their parents!

[@2apocalypse-X]

Coolio recorded his first single in 1987, titled "Whatcha Gonna Do? He also recorded "What Makes You Dance (Force Groove)" with Nu-Skool in 1988in 1991 he joined the group WC and The Maad Circle with WC, Big Gee and DJ Crazy Toones. L.V. is a founding member of the Gangsta rap group South Central Cartel.

[@angelasuttles]

So good. I have blown so so any speakers on this song back in the day. The video is heartbreaking. Thank you! ❤️🙏😇

[@candilumpkin1196]

Such an iconic movie and soundtrack. This was at the height of gang violence in the 90s. And it being brought to the forefront in America

[@jacqueline4514]

Yes! PLEASE react to the great Stevie Wonder’s song “PASTIME PARADISE”, which Coolio used as the foundation for this song. I love both abs has this Coolio CD back in the day, but Stevie Wonder is a music GOD.

[@lindaaugone382]

RIP Coolio! he still had that hair in last interview i saw of him older here on you tube

[@ruthiereallife6404]

This movie was so good. And the soundtrack ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥. Emilios death in the movie hit me the hardest too. And shame cause the actor who played Emilio died in 1998 due to respitory failure from AIDs 😢😢. May he rest in peace.

[@cindyv1401]

Always Loved Coolio ❣️❣️❣️ OG 💯

[@mattdrummond9087]

The only rap song that sends a chill up my spine. I get tears when i hear this one. This is not just a song....its musical art that will live on for generations... Im hard pressed to think of a more iconic or a better hip hop song, than this one. A true masterpiece

[@garygillespie4899]

Live on Howard stern show was amazing

[@jerihalter1339]

Coolio sang this entire song without using the N-word or cussing. RIP Coolio.

[@Du808-o8k]

Steve told him not put profanity on the song…

[@fern]

Weird Al Yankovic did a parody of this called "Amish Paradise" 😊

[@RocketQueen71]

Asia and BJ,THANKS FOR YOUR REACTION VIDEO! R.I.P. COOLIO ! I still from time to time groove to "GANGSTA'S PARADISE ". This song I sang a lot back in 1995 because I was a 24 yr. old junkie and Crackhead.. So, Coolio's lyrics,especially the 1st line resonated with me,"As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I take a look at my life and realize there's nothing left...." Addiction made me a slave and I lost everything!Including, my son (5 yrs old at the time) and my daughter (3 yrs old at the time). "Death ain't nothin' but a heartbeat away..." "I'm 23 now but will I live to see 24. The way things are goin' I don't know.." "If THEY can't understand, how can THEY reach me..." POWERFUL LYRICS! I THANK YOU FOR THIS GIFT!This song has a very sentimental value to me. I have been in recovery from Crack and heroin since 2004;alcohol since 2011. I SHOULD'VE BEEN DEAD YEEEARS AGO! GOD was definitely watching over me! Now,my mission is to help those strugglin' with addiction/ alcoholism. May Coolio have a FANTASTIC VOYAGE TO THE GANGSTA'S PARADISE IN HEAVEN. SHAKA ZULU! ✌😥

[@ExcessivePC]

Now you should hear the original song. It was by Stevie Wonder, Pastime Paradise.

[@kimberleymonari7544]

***This was the Soundtrack to "Dangerous Minds", a film that starred Michelle Pfeiffer as a Teacher working in an Inner City school.

[@todd8688]

Dont forget LV. He drove that chorus. Amazing

[@april6058]

This is such an Iconic song- I don’t think there’s a person in the USA and beyond that can’t sing along! I think you two like Falling in Reverse; they do a cover you might enjoy. It sticks to the lyrics and melody but of course they put their flare on it. Check it out. Oh, and Coolio is on the video- I understand that he loved their cover!! Love your channel!!

[@lesliebates22]

Yep love this song and the Falling In reverse version!!!!

[@Z3sty367]

In Fear and Faith's version is better than FIRs in my opinion, just couldn't get into Ronnie's take, love FIR though

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

Dangerous Minds was 1 of several movies over the years dealing with the same basic theme. It started with Sidney Poitier in To Sir With Love. Some good ones (who's names I remember) are The Principal, The Substitute, Lean On Me (w/Morgan Freeman), Wildcats, and We Are Marshall.

[@emanuelsanders2030]

There's actually NO way that this song wasn't going to be a major hit! You've got the melody and genius of Sir Stevie Wonder harmonies on this track! No comparison to todays rap!

[@dvon1097]

This is one of those songs that is bigger than hip hop itself. Everyone knows this song and for good reason. It's a musical masterpiece!

[@EessaTube]

A significant part of this song is sampled from Stevie Wonder's song, 'Pastime Paradise'.

[@kylesummers1565]

Great Movie, mostly good message, great actress (😁). Overall great song!! Peace, Love!!

[@jeremymorgan313]

Long before I knew anything about music long before I saw the movie I remember being very impressed with the backup singer Learning now he is LV Absolutely incredible voice

[@ajruther67]

This is such a powerful song and message. It is emotional. The chorus with the background choir is hauntingly beautiful. Asia, you really should watch the movie as it is based on a true story. Stand and Deliver 1988 is a good movie as well. Also based on a true story with similar elements.

[@ethanredbird4784]

I been a lurker but I appreciate the fact that y'all the real ones. As a native American I respect y'all reacted to some stuff before. That's how I know y'all stuff is genuine! I'm asking I know like I said I been a lurker only for so long but all I'm asking for is actually one of my cousins song he just came out with called (kiowa kush) I'm asking cause you two are the only ones I ever seen react to native stuff and I respect that! Either way I love y'alls content. From a lurker lol I appreciate if y'all do it

[@zon3665]

Gotta love Coolio's song Fantastic Voyage.

[@gracehinds6283]

The music is Stevie Wonder's composition. One more example of Mr. Wonder's brilliance.

[@darrellcrews4716]

I live around the corner from Coolio here in Vegas. Hung out with him many times.. Cool cat!

[@thedarkprince1987]

This song is still a hit today. I got it in my Playlist

[@shakiemjeanjoseph428]

Rip Coolio🕊💔🙏 (8/1/1963-9/28/2022) This is a Masterpiece

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

Brings back so many memories! Dangerous Minds was a great movie too. So much better than today's rap music.

[@felipeochoa5904]

Thanks for sharing this Video Rest in Paradise ((Coolio))🕊️🕊️🕊️ 🙏

[@nerored6235]

I'll admit, when this movie and song came out, it helped me understand how things in the inner city could lead kids to live such a lifestyle, even though they may not have wanted to. As a early 20s white guy from the rural south it made a big impact and I love the song because it tugs on my heart.

[@vicegripp]

That's super dope that you were able to get that transformative message from the artistry in the movie & song. The musicality in this song, combined with Coolio's dead serious & intense delivery of how he says the lyrics as he raps them, absolutely classic song in rap music history.

[@willsofer3679]

A lot of people make fun of the "white savior" trope of Dangerous Minds, except that they fail to realize that this was actually based on a true story. A former Marine who was a highly praised teacher at an affluent school actually changed a whole inner-city school when they were brought in as a teacher... Partly by listening to the students, and the community. And then trying to make everyone who were "pillars of the community" (the white people in power), who weren't listening before, understand this was a product of cyclic violence, systemic racism, and indoctrination.

[@ants8527]

The lady is Actress Michelle Phifer she also played Tony Montana's wife in the movie Scarface.😎

[@srenjrgensen1468]

Hi Asia & BJ! Great to have you guys back with new and amazing reactions. 😎👍 I have suggested this video before and I will do it again, because I really think, that you guys will be blown away by both the voice, music and surroundings of this video: Sarah Brightman: "Fleurs Du Mal" (live from Vienna Cathedral in 2008) I really want you guys to experience this musical piece, because it truly is💯 Best regards Your greatest fan from Denmark 😊

[@johnthegreek5836]

I always loved this song and I’m not a big hip hop fan but this is one of my favorites

[@ethanfox7457]

What a classic 💛 I remember buying this and listening to it over and over constantly,driving people insane. Can still remember it word perfect to this day! I start singing along! Never seen the movie! Ha

[@johannesaid244]

I'm not much into rap/hip hop type of music, but there is two songs that I will never stop to listening, I'm totally hooked, this song, and that one song from Eminem, "Lose Yourself" 🔥

[@s.jcowens8430]

You guys are the actual BEST! I love the way you interact with each other. So natural, so true! Xx

[@williamjamesayers7719]

RIP to Coolio, who unfortunately died at 59 today.

[@Mickkie]

Loved this song from the very first moment i heard it!❤❤

[@annieh5479]

I was told this was a song you HAD to have. Watching the video it makes a lot more sense. Thanks for showing.

[@jerickson725]

I forgot about this movie, and don't even remember this song. I would have never known this was Coolio either; I don't know much of his music. BJ, I think you must of had to sneak into the movie too, ha, ha! Great reaction.

[@DrCristina1997]

“ Gangsters Paradise” was the #1 song song of the year for 1995 on MTV Year End Countdown. You’ve got to see the movie 🎥

[@KAP814]

So glad you guys had some down time with family…we missed ya’ll and glad you’re back and refreshed

[@AsiaandBJ]

Thank you!!

[@marioriverajr6283]

This song was great back in the day...love this song...my favorite versus is the 3rd versus

[@heatherterra8886]

The first rap song I could actually rap all the words lol. Great song and movie.

[@JamesASharp]

Coolio's greatest hit. Great reaction! 👍🏿 Fun fact: Coolio is my 2nd cousin. His mother was my granny's (my dad's mom) younger sister; the 4th of 9 children. He's mostly doing his thing overseas now.

[@williampinero9134]

😮😮😮😮

[@yrankin1]

I saw the movie and I remember this song! It holds up!

[@gregb3966]

Just saw Coolio at the airport in Amsterdam, he's still a l'ocd out gangsta, set trippin' banger!

[@ladybug4885]

Gen X here Wild times a generation that raised itself. Real TALK

[@lizzyfletcher3175]

Man I am tearing up!! That movie makes me cry.

[@powerbad696]

1995 i was in the army,stationed at Ft Hood,Tx-assigned to 1st Cav Div-home unit-HHC 2/8 Cav. GO ARMY !!! LOL. I liked the song,especially the choir part. I really liked the movie too,it was good. Everyone in my unit was talking about the song/movie,constantly. The big,fat,black dude was going HARD in the video,wasn't he ??? DANG. It was like he was singing with a purpose and conviction !!! LOL.

[@williamkelley2738]

I can literally see myself back in 95 when this was on MTV before MTV stopped playing music videos playing this on the only TV in the house... Remember every lyric of the song by the way to this day ... Should have done Howard Stern show that way you can see the chorus line

[@bakercarl8518]

I remember this constantly the summer it came out. Interesting movie also.

[@paulyeary3688]

This song has always had a great message.

[@scottroden2104]

Funny enough it started as a stevie wonder song pastime paradise

[@02michellemybell02]

Dangerous Minds is such a great movie starring actress Michelle Pfeiffer she is also in the music video. I love her as Catwoman in the movie Batman Returns . She is one of my favorite actresses.

[@Super3dognite]

Great Song. RIP Coolio. Got to see him live back in 2016.

[@danaherbie3208]

This is from the movie & soundtrack called Dangerous Minds I have the movie That was obsessed with this song when I was younger

[@lucianananni142]

I love this song. I've listened to it the first time in 1995.

[@linarandel]

I’ve been watching your content WAY too much without subscribing, now I have! Greetings from Sweden 😊🇸🇪🌼

[@chuckd2219]

Hey party people!! Movie soundtrack gold right here. The song was all over the radio back in the day. Bobbing my head back then just like I am now lol !

[@juliemartin4267]

The movie Dangerous Minds is based on the true story of a California educator named LouAnne Johnson. It was adapted from her book “My Posse Don’t Do Homework “

[@mrredwhite1244]

This song. Was a must listen to back in the day 😉

[@michaelgentile8570]

Screw Disney. You don't need them. They need you lol Keep on keepin on! Y'all are awesome!

[@MarkTitus420]

I saw Dangerous minds a long ass time ago - now I need to go back and watch it. I use to love Michelle Pfeiffer; she was also in Scarface.

[@Moritz19081980]

Saw him live in Berlin in the mid 90s. THis song was a huge hit.

[@unclelink]

I remember the tv series. Only lasted one season but it was jam packed with important information that I still hold in high regard. I think it was the second to last episode, a group of monks visited the school and while all the one monks went about talking with the students and such, on pulled square in a corner and began creating this elaborate and beautiful design. He spent the entire week there by himself. At the end of the week he scrapped up everything to the shock of the students. So they asked the elder why he did that. The picture was so beautiful. The elder said (paraphrasing because it's been years) that the monk had more fun and got more from working on the artwork. Then he said to them, "life isn't about the rewards, it's about the journey." The students nodded, I nodded and from then on I try focusing on now, the task now, the conversations now and, to tell you the truth, it has been eye-opening.

[@blaiseprisciotta553]

Epic tune!

[@LiLiJo]

The part at the end with the young boy is so heartbreaking. The pain on his face no child should have but it’s real and that is where so many come from. Don’t judge when you can’t understand. Great song and movie.

[@littlet1068]

Great Movie....! Such a true song

[@jorgejimenez-velez648]

Relatable is the way i think of when listening to this tune. Very relatable

[@laurafrancis2104]

Love this BANGER 👍😂❤️ love you guys reaction ❤️👍