The origins of West Coast hip hop, where cheerfulness and reality coexist.
Coolio's debut album was a hip-hop record that blended upbeat funk grooves with street realism, bringing a unique sense of humor and honesty to the early '90s West Coast scene.
A light, funk rhythm spreads from the beginning, and Coolio's rap exudes a friendly yet sharp presence. As exemplified by his signature track "Fantastic Voyage," he possesses a sense of balance that transforms reality into laughter, warmly depicting stories from the fringes of society. The sound is based on P-Funk but clean, coexisting with a street feel and a pop-like familiarity. The satirical perspective and humorous narrative style are exquisitely intertwined, showcasing the appeal of West Coast hip-hop, which is not just hardcore but also deeply human. This is an important work from the early '90s that will leave you feeling pleasantly uplifted every time you listen to it.
