As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothing left
Cause I've been blastin and laughing so long that
Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone


But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you talking, and where you walking
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk


I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc
As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night
Sayin' prayers in the street light


Been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise


Look at the situation, they got me facin
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the strife
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin' got me chasin dreams


I'm a educated fool wit money on my mind
Got my tin in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool


Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away
I'm livin life do-or-die ah, what can I say?
I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'?
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
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin
It's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin


They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me
If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
I guess they can't -- I guess they won't
I guess they frontin; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool


They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We 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