| As I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death |
| I take a look at my life and realize there’s much left |
| 'Cause I’ve been brassin' and laughin' so long that |
| Even my Mama thinks that my mind is gone |
| But I never crossed a man that didn’t deserve it |
| Me be treated like a punk, you know that’s unheard of |
| You’d better watch how you talkin', and where you’re walkin' |
| Or you and your homies might be like a chap |
| I really hate to check but I gotta look |
| As they croak I see myself in the pistals smoke … fool |
| I’m the kind of cheater little homies wanna be like |
| On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the street light |
| Been spending most their lives livin' in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| They got the situation, they got me facin' |
| I can’t live with no more right, I was raised by the street |
| So I gotta be damned with the hood team |
| Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams |
| I’m a educated fool with money on my mind |
| Got my 10 in my hand and a gleam in my eye |
| I’m a loped out placeto certain trippin' banker |
| And my homing is down so don’t arouse my anger … fool |
| Dead bay nothin' but a heart beat away |
| I’m livin' light, do or die, what can I say |
| I’m 23 now but will I live to see 24 |
| The way things is goin' I don’t know |
| Tell me why are we so blind to see |
| That the ones we hurt are you and me |
| Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| The Power and the money, money and the power |
| Minute after minute, hour after hour |
| Everybody’s money, but half of them ain’t lookin' |
| It’s goin' on in the kitchen, but I don’t know what’s cooking |
| They say I’ve got to learn but nobody’s there to teach me |
| If they can’t understand how can they reach me |
| I guess they can’t |
| I guess they won’t |
| I guess they front |
| That’s why I know my life is out of luck for |
| Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Been spending most their lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| Keep spending most our lives living in the gangsta’s paradise |
| 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 … |