Doug Rasheed recalls Stevie Wonder turning down initial version of Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise'

Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise.' (Tommy Boy Records)

September 2, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. UTC

By Sweenie Saint-Vil

As of 1996, Gangsta's Paradise was certified three-times Platinum.

"Gangsta's Paradise" went on to become the top-selling single of 1995 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was featured in the movie Dangerous Minds and parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic, which Doug approved against Coolio's wishes.

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