Coolio is a rapper, actor and record producer from Compton, California. He is best known for his track “Gangsta’s Parasdise” which features R&B singer L.V.. This track was produced for the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, and it later won the Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance as well as two MTV Video Music Awards in 1996.
We’ve been spending most our lives
Living in the gangster’s paradise.
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the gangster’s paradise.
Grammar: Present Perfect Progressive
Use the present perfect progressive for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
Subject + has/have + been + ~ing verb
Subject + has/have + not + been + ~ing verb
Has/Have + subject + been + ~ing verb?
- I have been studying for two hours. It is 2pm now, and I started studying at 12pm.
- You have been listening to the same song all day. I think you should listen to something different.
- He has not been exercising. He looks flabby, and he is sweating.
- How long have you been watching TV? I think you have been watching TV for too long. You should go outside and get some fresh air.
Parody of “Gangster Paradise”
At one time, there was controversy surrounding Coolio’s song. He claimed that Weird Al Yankovic did not ask for permission to parody it, and there was a brief dispute between the two artists. Eventually, Coolio and Weird Al made up and became friends again, and “Amish Paradise” is as equally as famous as the original.
Discussion Questions
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