Being Gangsta

I wonder if anyone can figure out my passion for music and literature and film from my memories.

Who doesn't remember Gangsta's Paradise when it came out? I remember it from the Dangerous Minds soundtrack, possibly the coolest role Michelle Pheifer has ever played, except for maybe Catwoman in Batman Returns. The most badass scene that has stuck with me my entire life was that mean surprise chop she pulls on one of her students.

I was in 5th grade, the graduation grade for elementary school. I went to my 5th grade prom, which happens to be the only prom I have ever attended in my life. My 5th grade classmates - we were all a bunch of kids crowded into the gym. The DJ was set up but we were all still for the most part too shy to get down and dancing. I wore a purple floral dress - not glamorous, but I thought it was cute.

Gangsta's Paradise. That was the song that got everyone in the zone. And hell, I was in the zone. I don't remember anyone else around me. Some people can pull off gangsta even if they're not. Some people can't. I can't say where I stand on that. But when i was in 5th grade, perhaps 10 years old, it didn't matter.

I didn't actually watch Dangerous Minds until a year later, which oh my, tuned me into Mr. Neurotically Brilliant Dylan Thomas. No wonder Bob took his name.

Do not go gentle into that good night, is a principle of life, at least mine. Putting poetry to lyrics, poet to rapper, I felt like Coolio was the modern Thomas.