As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death 
I take a look at my life and realize there's nuthin' left
Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long that 
Even my ma'ma 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 talkin', and where you walkin' 
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk 
I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc'- 
As they grew I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
I'm the kinda the little homies wanna be like 
On my knees in the night 
Sayin' prayers in the street light 

Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise
Been spending most our 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 a normal life, I was raised by the strip
So I gotta be down with the hood team 
Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams 
I'm an educated fool with money on my mind 
Got my ten 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-a, what can I say? 
I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fow'? 
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 our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise 
Been spending most our 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 

Power and the money, money and the power 
Minute after minute, hour after hour  [bad word] , but half of them ain't lookin' 
What's goin' on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin' 
They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me,
If they can't understand it, 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 outta luck, fool!

Been spending most our lives living in the Gangsta's Paradise 
Been spending most our 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