Back in the mid-1990s, a feud erupted between then megastar rapper Coolio and famous parodist “Weird Al” Yankovic. You see, Coolio had just taken home a Grammy (this actually happened) for his major contribution to the Dangerous Minds soundtrack, the smash hit “Gangta’s Paradise.” Meanwhile, “Weird Al” was profiting off of one his biggest hits ever, an apparently unlicensed Coolio parody, “Amish Paradise.” Not only that, but Coolio told Grammy reporters that the content of “Gangsta’s Paradise” wasn’t a laughing matter.
Today, things are a little different, and Coolio is no longer rich or very famous. In fact, David Koechner aka The Office’s Todd Packer (who makes a cameo in this video and is also pulling double-duty for Denny’s) might be more recognized by people under drinking age than Coolio. And so, the circle of life continues to turn. At least this time around, Juicy Fruit and EVB’s ongoing singing puppet saga, the serenading unicorn, is keeping Coolio’s original lyrics intact, giving another generation of gum-chewers everywhere another look into the violent underworld of inner-city living. “You and your homies might be lined in chalk” indeed.