‘He put some magic on that track’: The story of Gangsta’s Paradise, Coolio’s biggest hit
The 1995 song changed the rapper’s life, bringing a rush of stardom — along with a level of success he was unable to match again
Coolio: Gangsta’s Paradise, built off Stevie Wonder’s Pastime Paradise, was No 1 in Ireland, Britain, the US and 20 other countries. Photograph: Paul Bergen/Redferns via Getty