Larry J. Sanders (born December 2, 1960), known professionally as L.V. (short for "Large Variety"), is an American singer, best known for his collaboration with rapper Coolio on the worldwide hit single "Gangsta's Paradise". He has released five solo albums and has been a member of the gangsta rap group South Central Cartel since 1994, usually singing the choruses. In 2019, L.V. was featured by NBC News after the Los Angeles Police Department designated him as a gang member or associate for the purposes of a heavily criticized database. On July 27, 2025, L.V. was featured on an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver discussing gang databases.

Discography Studio albums Title ReleasePeak chart positions AUSAustralian (ARIA) chart peaks: Top 50 peaks: Top 100 peaks to December 2010: "Throw Your Hands Up": N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached. GERGerman chart peaks: I Am L.V.: "Throw Your Hands Up": UKUK chart peaks: Top 100 peaks: Top 200 peaks from November 1994 to December 2010: USR&B I Am L.V. Released: 1996 Label: Tommy Boy 96 72 139 100 How Long Released: August 29, 2000 Label: Loud——— 59 Hustla 4 Life Released: March 17, 2010 Label: P-Vine———— Still L.V. Released: August 22, 2012 Label: Octave———— The Art of Making Love Released: March 15, 2017 Label: ESMG————

Collaborative albums The Playground (with Prodeje) (2002) Hood Affiliated (with Prodeje) (2008)

Compilation albums The Gangstas In South Central (with South Central Cartel) (1996)

Singles As lead artist Title Release Peak chart positions Album US US R&B AUS FRA GER NZ UK "Throw Your Hands Up"1995 63 42 84 47 46 5 24I Am L.V. "I Am L.V."1996 — 87 — — — 42 64 "How Long"2000 — 46 — — — — —How Long

As featured artist Title Release Peak chart positions Certifications Album US AUS AUT GER NL NOR NZ SWE SWI UK "Gangsta's Paradise"(Coolio featuring L.V.)1995 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: 3× Platinum BPI: 5× Platinum BVMI: 2× Platinum IFPI AUT: Platinum IFPI NOR: 4× Platinum IFPI SWE: Gold IFPI SWI: 2× Platinum RMNZ: PlatinumGangsta's Paradise andDangerous Minds soundtrack

References