Things That Exisit: Coolio and Kenny Rodgers Team Up for a Rap Versions of ‘The Gambler’

Long ago I remember reading this MTV News story about rapper Coolio and country singer Kenny Rodgers going into the studio to record a new version of Rodgers' 1978 hit "the Gambler." At the time I thought that it might be a good idea, or at least interesting.

As with lots of stuff in late 90s rap, it seemed to be more talk about this happening than it really happening. But, guess what friend, it did happen.

In 2001 on an album called Coolio.com (probably the most early 2000s album name possible) Coolio released "The Hustle." It's a pretty straight forward rap song about making money, working hard and living it up. the chorus of "The Gambler" is used as the chorus for "the Hustle."

The video has Kenny himself riding with Coolio on a train. Well, two Coolios. An old man Coolio is telling the story of hustling to the young Coolio.

Musically, the song is an interesting experiment.

Here's the original.