The song is built around the orchestral, minor-key backbone of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise".

A defining feature of "Gangsta’s Paradise" is its complete lack of profanity. This wasn't originally by choice but was a requirement set by to clear the sample of his 1976 track "Pastime Paradise". Wonder initially refused due to the song's original explicit lyrics, but after Coolio revised them to align with a more universal and moral message, Wonder granted approval. This lack of swearing allowed the song to dominate radio and television, significantly broadening its reach beyond traditional hip-hop audiences. Key Musical & Lyrical Features

The haunting chorus is performed by R&B singer L.V. (Large Variety), whose soulful delivery provided a cinematic contrast to Coolio’s gritty verses.