Mispronouncing Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" Cost a 'Jeopardy' Player $3,200

Let the record show it's "gangsta," not "gangster."

January 2, 2018

2018 ain’t nothing but a G thang, but apparently not every player on Jeopardy! got the memo. On the show’s New Year’s Day episode, contestants were given the following clue: “A song by Coolio from Dangerous Minds goes back in time to become a 1667 John Milton classic.” Nick, one of the contestants, answered “Gangster’s Paradise Lost,” earning him the lead, but the judges weren't so sure.

In a hilariously tragic turn of events, Trebek quickly revoked Nick's correct answer for a pronunciation faux pas. Because "gangster” and "gangsta" are not, in fact, the same ol' G. “Our judges have re-evaluated one of your responses a few minutes ago, Nick. You said 'gangster’s' instead of 'gangsta’s' on that song by Coolio, so we take $3,200 away from you. You are now in second place,” Trebek explained.

Alas, white privilege will only get you so far in this life, Nick.