Lv.

Larry Sanders (born July 22, 1954), better known by his stage name L.V. whose initials stand for "Large Variety", is an American Grammy Award winning R&B singer. He is best known for his collaboration with rapper Coolio on the 1995 hit single, "Gangsta's Paradise" which won the duo a Grammy, and has been featured on multiple soundtracks since then. Having released two solo albums to date, he was also a member of the gangsta rap group South Central Cartel since their beginning, usually singing the vocals and chorus. Early life edit: L.V. grew up with a father who sang gospel music along with the radio every morning, and this helped hook him on singing. He won a high school talent contest by performing L.T.D.'s "Concentrate on You", joined the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College choir. He later joined the Los Angeles Southwest College music department where he studied voice, choir and performed in several stage musicals. He also contributed R&B vocals to a neighborhood rap group, the South Central Cartel. Later career edit: Following his success with "Gangsta's Paradise", L.V. landed a contract with Tommy Boy Records, which released his debut album I Am L.V. in 1996. This album spawned the hit single, "Throw Your Hands Up" which featured Treach from Naughty By Nature (Produced by Maurice 'DJ Moe' Thompson and Jay Supreme Williams for Barr 9 Productions). The single went on to sell over 400,000 units. The album also features a version of "Gangsta's Paradise" without rap lyrics. L.V.'s follow up album was How Long, released on Loud Records in 2000. The record had a more soulful style, but also featured guest appearances by the likes of Raekwon and Shari Watson and was well reviewed in magazines such as Vibe and The Source. Near-death gunshot wounds edit: According to sources, L.V. survived gunshot wounds in a case remarkably similar to 50 Cent. L.V. not only survived being shot nine times at close range, but he spent eight months in the hospital and a year and a half in a wheelchair. He eventually recovered completely and has been able to walk without a noticeable limp ever since.