It's a Shame (Kool G Rap song) explained

"It's a Shame" is the debut solo single from American hip hop artist Kool G Rap, from his 1995 album 4,5,6.

Background

"It's a Shame" was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York. In the song, Kool G Rap portrays himself as a heroin kingpin, boasting of his wealth, power and extravagant lifestyle. However, it is implied that he harbours a sense of remorse over his choice of trade, with the chorus (sung by an uncredited Sean Brown) stating:

Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar

Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler

Music video

The music video for "It's a Shame" shows Kool G Rap living a life of luxury as a wealthy and powerful gangster as well as shots of drug addicts and prostitutes, signifying the less glamorous side of the drug trade.

Critical reception

Hip Hop Album Reviews called the song "one of G Rap's premier ventures at storytelling, only weakened by the dime-a-dozen hook".^[1]

Samples

"It's a Shame" samples the following songs:^[2]

• "Love Is for Fools" by Southside Movement

Track listing

12"

A-side

1. "It's a Shame" (Original) (4:02)
2. "It's a Shame" (Acapella) (4:01)
3. "It's a Shame" (Instrumental) (3:54)

B-side

1. "It's a Shame" (Original) (4:03)
2. "It's a Shame" (Acapella) (4:01)
3. "It's a Shame" (Instrumental) (3:54)

CD

1. "It's a Shame" (Original) (3:54)
2. "It's a Shame" (Acapella) (3:54)
3. "It's a Shame" (Instrumental) (3:54)

External links

• "It's a Shame" at Discogs

Notes and References

1. http://hiphopalbumreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/kool-g-rap-456.html Hip Hop album reviews
2. http://www.whosampled.com/Kool-G-Rap/It%27s-a-Shame/ It's a Shame at Who Sampled