L.V. (singer)

Larry J. Sanders^[1] (born December 2, 1960), known professionally as L.V. (an acronym for "Large Variety"),^[2] 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 its formation in 1991, usually singing the choruses.^{[citation needed]} 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.^[3] On July 27, 2025, L.V. was featured on an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver discussing gang databases.^[4]

L.V.
Birth name	Larry J. Sanders
Born	(1960-12-02) December 2, 1960 (age 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B soul
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1990–present
Labels	Tommy Boy Loud P-Vine

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Release	Peak chart positions
		AUS [5]	GER [6]	UK [7]	US R&B [8]
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[9]	Released: March 15, 2017 Label: ESMG	—	—	—	—

Collaboration albums

• The Playground with Prodeje (2002)
• Hood Affiliated with Prodeje (2008)

Compilation albums

• The Gangstas In South Central with South Central Cartel (1996)

Singles

Title	Release	Peak chart positions							Album
		US [10]	US R&B [10]	AUS [5]	FRA [11]	GER [6]	NZ [12]	UK [7]
"Throw Your Hands Up"	1995	63	42	84	47	46	5	24	I 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 [13]	AUS	AUT	GER	NL	NOR	NZ	SWE	SWI	UK [14]
"Gangsta's Paradise" (Coolio featuring L.V.)	1995	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: 3× Platinum[15] BPI: 5× Platinum[16] BVMI: 2× Platinum IFPI AUT: Platinum[17] IFPI NOR: 4× Platinum[18] IFPI SWE: Gold[19] IFPI SWI: 2× Platinum[20] RMNZ: Platinum[21]	Gangsta's Paradise and Dangerous Minds soundtrack