Growing up in a Christian household, the sounds of G’s childhood is that of prayer and gospel music. His aunt Andrea sung in the church choir and the soulful hymns left a huge impact on the young Ghetts. His mother recalls him as a three year old jumping out of her arms and running to the stage at a religious camp meeting in front of 15,000 people. It was then she says that she knew he was destined to be performer. Ghetts had also developed a sense of rhythm from his father who surrounded himself with jazz music. Once the beat got into him G would beating out rhythms on the tables and the floor in his house until his mother was driven to the point where she had to get him a keyboard to satisfy his musical curiosity. It was on this that Ghetts first experimented with writing songs as he’d try putting verses together over the pre-set percussion demos.
And it was music that was set to be Ghett’s saviour as his restless nature caused problems for him during his education. Unable to concentrate in class, the Plaistow citizen continually found himself getting into trouble and as a result never really being able to settle at a school. “I couldn’t really concentrate at school,” Ghetts states about his academic unrest. “The only thing I could concentrate on was music, not even girls. It was the only thing I enjoyed.” This soon transferred to the streets and like many who grow up in areas forgotten by the government, Ghetts found himself turning to crime to pacify his inattentive mind. Naturally it was only a matter of time before Ghetts found himself living at Her Majesties Pleasure. At the age of 16 Ghetts was in and out of jail at a scarily frequent rate which made G realise that if things carried on the way they were then his whole life would be spent behind bars. It was then he sought refuge in the only thing he found peace in; music.
At the age of 14 Ghetts visited a day time rave in Leyton to see the Heartless Crew. The experience cemented his ambition to make it in the music world. “I had this thing in my chest,” G reveals about the defining moment. “I could feel my heart beating and I was drawn to the mic. I knew I wanted to do something like that!” At the same time as Ghett’s legal woes, a new sound was emerging from east London. Born out of Garage; Grime was taking over the pirate airwaves and artists such as Wiley, Dizzee Rascal and Kano were beginning to get heard across the capital. Close friends with the Nasty Crew’s Sharky Major, Ghetts began reciting some of his rhymes for the Newham favourite. Sharks soon let G know that he was ready to be heard and Ghetts began recording tracks and performing on radio and at clubs with the collective. The artist known as Ghetto was born.
With a street buzz steadily growing, Ghetts developed a relationship with fellow Nasty Crew member Kano who had just begun promotion for his major label debut ‘Home Sweet Home’. Featuring on two of the tracks from the disc, including the single ‘Typical Me’, Kane took G on the promotional merry go round for the album that included taking part in tours with Nas and The Streets, as well as opening up for Juelz Santana in New York and performing at the MOBO Awards. Around this same time Ghetts released his first mixtape ‘2000 & Life’; a disc which drew on his experiences of growing up on the streets of Plaistow and of being behind bars. Still heralded as an underground classic the disc was full of angry bravado and vicious rhymes that fuelled favourites such as ‘Simple Minded MC’s’ and the anthem ‘Skinny Sort’. The experience of going on tour with Kano however soon showed Ghetts a side of England that he’d never seen before and this resulted in a change of perspective for the young MC. “Going on tour and seeing the people who would turn up the shows and the reaction they would give us, I realised that my ignorant attitude wasn’t gonna get me anywhere,” Ghetts describes of his revelation. “As soon as I got rid of my attitude things started happening for me.” It was then that Ghetts began recording his second mixtape; ‘Ghetto Gospel’.
One negative by-product of touring with Kano had been that G had been labelled as Kane’s hypeman. Wanting to be recognised as an artist in his own right and whilst also dispelling myths that he could only make angry songs; ‘Ghetto Gospel’ was filled with tracks that discussed the pitfalls of living in a deprived area as well as dedicating tracks to his best friend and his mother. “She cried when I first played it for her,” Ghetts recalls of playing ‘Closest Thing To Heaven’ to his mum on Mother’s Day. The mixtape also included a track for which Ghetts would shoot his first video; ‘Top 3 Selected’. The radio favourite sat alongside songs with fellow members of The Movement; a collective of likeminded MCs that included Scorcher, Wretch 32 and Mercston with whom G had released a CD entitled ‘Tempo Specialists’.
Ghetts quickly followed this up with ‘Freedom Of Speech’; another disc of entirely original material which channelled the reckless attitude of ‘2000 & Life’ and combined it with the refined wordplay of ‘Ghetto Gospel’ to make for a truly epic listen. Combining cold, nihilistic moments with bursts of untamed energy, the disc addressed and resolved issues that had arisen between Ghetts and other artists in the scene who had attacked G whilst he moved away from confrontational music during ‘Ghetto Gospel’. Tracks such as ‘Mountain’ and ‘Who’s Got?’ soon reasserted Ghetts as an underground favourite as well as satisfying the new fans he’d acquired from ‘Ghetto Gospel’.
Composing himself as a complete artist, G signalled his growth by changing his performance name to Ghetts and begun work on his debut album which is due for release in 2009. “I’m ready to make the best album I can make,” G affirms of his mind state. “It’s a bit like the TV programme ‘Heroes’. I’m just finally learning how to use my powers.” The first single from the album – ‘Sing For Me’ is already a favourite and has been snapped up by record label All Around The World to come out in early in the new year. As a division of Universal and home to artists such as N-Dubs, the track is set to be Ghetts’ first chart hit and finally propel him into the mainstream – an accolade well deserved and long overdue. “I made this tune for the clubs,” he speaks on the single. “When I’m in there I feel like I wish that it was my tune that everyone was dancing to so that’s why I made that.” And now that he’s had his first taste of success is Ghetts likely to turn his back on the Grime scene that has bred him? “I do Grime!” he proudly boasts. “I love Grime and it’s in my roots. It has been from when I saw Heartless all them years ago. A lot of people ain’t comfortable with that but I’m telling you from now that I’m gonna be a Grime star!”
Artillery
Ghetts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
say im a marked man but they ain't marking me physically
Im a pace setter so im starting it instantly
So its hard to get rid of me
Millitant man with a brilliant plan I might plead it innocent hang
On thats a hooligan scam, but the only william can
Pull it off I can pull off a trillion fam
No fluke no incident dont you ever think the only killer is kam
Im sicker with a stick than sam
When hes chasing everybody letting of a shotgun
There goes another hot when its curry (woah)
You better hurry (home) dum dum setting dummies (mould)
Unlucky (homes) im old school like a runny (nose)
Strap on the stage when I spit but I dont need that 2 duppy (shows)
And im no bodys hubby (so) if you see me with a slutty (ho)
Give us a quick one like can we (go)
Back to the war so many enemies on my case that I can't relax anymore
Theyre all talking no bodys telling me to my face maybe cos im carrying a sword
Deadman walking the cemetry awaits
im enganged to my gun so im marrying a whore
Non stop letting off when I draw black bags outside like a charity store
But there ain't no clothes in them
Just bodies with holes in them
1, 2, 3 loads of them
4, 5, 6 casket closed for them
789 let me reload again im stone cold
My face ain't got no emotion and my foes know when I comes to the beef im sub-zero
'cos there on a frozen ting,
hands in the air when my mandem appear
Sometimes I wake up like damn my career, im a scorcher its a ransom affair
There ain't a man that I fear, cos I can make a man disappear for a grand be aware
Theres man that would do that gladly, keep going on like you dont actually care
And I swear theyll have your whole family scared
Youll see the insanity clear
Picture that like a gallery queer
Forsee the future. or see the shooter. surely remove the brain out the back of your head for feeling super
Like nothin can't dent clark kent well ill be the type to attempt
Im lex luther, ill step to ya, world domination
get used to the fact that im back and im'a let loose an atomic bomb the size of st lucia
Wait thats an exaggeration,
but when it comes to my gun its mastabation
Its buzzing and if you dont know ill fill a nigga in like an application
This ain't american X but its teeth on the curb thatll snap the pavement
Im going on like I can't wait to die:
Yeah well, I never had any patience
Man will be waiting outside in the car, niggers outside in the yard
I got man parrallel, diagonal and adjacent
And I got tricks up my sleeve like fuckin paul daniels
I dont give a shit how many niggas your with prick there all candles
Ill light them up like a lighter does your defence ain't saying one
(nah) call campbell, and rio ferdidand
But dont think that G won't murder man,
im like fam this ain't an act its all actual shit that ive done
Shit that ive did
Shit that im gonna do
Shit that I think
Some man are putting it on its not at all natural
Stop all the bad boy poses, none of you are bad boys bad boys know this
Your looking for a scar on your face and basing the voices
But we know your still moist bitch
Beef I advoid it, its pointless, but ive been poisoned
Man the mount ive been living in, man are on the killing ting
Like we live where the oil is
, my bloods boiling, man wanna wet me up
But ive already been annointed, and so my only choice is:
Take this shit like a toilet
Or go hard like a coin is
So now im in deep like oysters
Im looking at certain man (what)
And I can see what the 'roids did, but im not gonna take that route
Skinny nigger with an 8-pack how? (how?)
Head to knees then lay back down, 150 times a day
Its hard to maintain that wow:
Pump up, tone up, weights in a gym
Dun book a donut straight in the chin
Dun fucks, roll up, waving a ting
One buzz, hold up, blaze and a win
Never hit anyone or anything
Never hit anything or anyone
Ok check 1, 2 gun to the head (bang), packbacks a bitch (bang), I ain't one to forget (bang)
So ill spray it and split, when forensics got the scene and saw the bruise they say it must be a tech
Yeah, must be a tech
Names G-H and im fucked in the head
The song "Artillery" by Ghetts is a fast-paced track which delves into the life of a gang member who is constantly on the run from his enemies. The lyrics suggest that the rapper is a marked man, someone who is constantly being chased, yet he seems to be unfazed. He says that he is a "militant man with a brilliant plan" who is always on the move, and his quick pace makes it hard for his enemies to catch him.
Ghetts takes the listener on a journey through the world of gang violence, where he admits to having killed people and is not afraid of doing it again. He mentions that he is "engaged to his gun" and is "marrying a whore" which shows that he takes his violent life seriously. The lyrics go on to suggest that Ghetts is so good at what he does that he can make people disappear and that he has no fear of anyone.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "so it's hard to get rid of me" which seems to sum up the entire theme of the song. Ghetts is a man who is constantly on the move, and there is no stopping him or getting rid of him.
Overall, "Artillery" is a poignant song that highlights the dangers and violence that comes with gang culture. It's a subjective take on life as a gang member, and it conveys a message about the realities of this lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
So its hard to get rid of me
It is difficult for others to eliminate me or get rid of me
Say im a marked man but they ain't marking me physically
Although people may consider me a target, they are not physically marking me
Im a pace setter so im starting it instantly
I am a leader in my field, so I start things immediately
Millitant man with a brilliant plan I might plead it innocent hang
I am a militant man with a clever plan, and I may pretend to be innocent
On thats a hooligan scam, but the only william can
That is a deceptive scheme by a hooligan, but only someone like William can execute it successfully
Pull it off I can pull off a trillion fam
I can successfully accomplish it, even to a tremendous degree
No fluke no incident dont you ever think the only killer is kam
It is not a coincidence or accidental, never assume that the only killer is Kam
Im sicker with a stick than sam
I am more skilled or dangerous with a weapon than Sam
When hes chasing everybody letting of a shotgun
When he is pursuing and shooting at everyone with a shotgun
There goes another hot when its curry (woah)
There goes another shot when it is a heated or intense moment
You better hurry (home) dum dum setting dummies (mould)
You better hurry home, foolishly setting up fake targets
Unlucky (homes) im old school like a runny (nose)
Unfortunate for them, I am old-fashioned or traditional like a runny nose
Strap on the stage when I spit but I dont need that 2 duppy (shows)
I carry a weapon on stage when I rap, but I do not need it to impress or defeat my opponents
And im no bodys hubby (so) if you see me with a slutty (ho)
I am not committed or in a relationship, so if you see me with a promiscuous woman
Give us a quick one like can we (go)
Give me a quick moment or favor, like asking if we can leave
Back to the war so many enemies on my case that I can't relax anymore
Returning to the battle or conflict, with numerous enemies constantly targeting me, making it impossible for me to relax
Theyre all talking no bodys telling me to my face maybe cos im carrying a sword
They are all speaking about me behind my back, no one has the courage to confront me directly, maybe because I am carrying a weapon
Deadman walking the cemetry awaits
I am a walking dead man, the cemetery is waiting for me
im engaged to my gun so im marrying a whore
I am deeply committed to my weapon, so it is as if I am marrying a promiscuous woman
Non stop letting off when I draw black bags outside like a charity store
Continuously shooting when I pull out my weapon, leaving black bags outside like a charity store
But there ain't no clothes in them
But there are no clothes inside those black bags
Just bodies with holes in them
Only dead bodies with gunshot wounds
1, 2, 3 loads of them
Many bodies, as if counting or listing them
4, 5, 6 casket closed for them
Four, five, six coffins closed for those bodies
789 let me reload again im stone cold
After counting to seven, eight, nine, let me reload my weapon again, I am emotionless or cold-hearted
My face ain't got no emotion and my foes know when I comes to the beef im sub-zero
My face shows no emotion, and my enemies know that when it comes to conflicts, I am as cold and ruthless as Sub-Zero
'cos there on a frozen ting,
Because they are also on a cold or emotionless state of mind
hands in the air when my mandem appear
People raise their hands in surrender or fear when my crew shows up
Sometimes I wake up like damn my career, im a scorcher its a ransom affair
Sometimes I wake up and think about the danger and risks involved in my career as an artist and performer
There ain't a man that I fear, cos I can make a man disappear for a grand be aware
There is no man that I am afraid of, because I have the ability to make someone vanish or disappear for a significant amount of money, so be cautious
Theres man that would do that gladly, keep going on like you dont actually care
There are individuals who would carry out such actions willingly, so continue acting as if you do not care
And I swear theyll have your whole family scared
And I promise they will make your entire family frightened
Youll see the insanity clear
You will witness the clear signs of madness or lunacy
Picture that like a gallery queer
Imagine that mentally, similar to how one views an art gallery
Forsee the future. or see the shooter. surely remove the brain out the back of your head for feeling super
Either predict the future or witness the person with the gun, surely having your brain removed from the back of your head as punishment for feeling overly confident
Like nothin can't dent clark kent well ill be the type to attempt
Like nothing can harm or make you flinch, well I am the type to take the risk or try
Im lex luther, ill step to ya, world domination
I am Lex Luthor, I will confront you and seek world domination
Get used to the fact that im back and ima let loose an atomic bomb the size of st lucia
Get accustomed to the reality that I have returned and I will unleash a devastating weapon with the power of an atomic bomb, comparable to the size of St. Lucia
Wait thats an exaggeration,
Wait, that is a hyperbole or exaggeration
but when it comes to my gun its mastabation
But when it comes to my gun, it is equivalent to self-gratification or pleasuring oneself
Its buzzing and if you dont know ill fill a nigga in like an application
My gun is ready and active, and if you are not aware, I will provide information or updates, similar to filling someone in on an application
This ain't american X but its teeth on the curb thatll snap the pavement
This is not an scene from American History X, but it is a violent act where someone's teeth will forcefully hit the curb, causing damage to the pavement
Im going on like I can't wait to die:
I am behaving or acting as if I am eagerly anticipating or ready for death
Yeah well, I never had any patience
Yes, well, I have always lacked patience
Man will be waiting outside in the car, niggers outside in the yard
Someone will be waiting in the car outside, while other individuals will be positioned outside in the yard
I got man parrallel, diagonal and adjacent
I have my associates positioned in parallel, diagonal, and adjacent formations
And I got tricks up my sleeve like fuckin paul daniels
And I have surprising or deceptive moves or actions that I can do, similar to the magician Paul Daniels
I dont give a shit how many niggas your with prick there all candles
I do not care how many people you are with, they are all insignificant or expendable, like candles
Ill light them up like a lighter does your defence ain't saying one
I will ignite or attack them, just like a lighter would, and your defense will be silent or useless
(nah) call campbell, and rio ferdidand
No, call Campbell and Rio Ferdinand
But dont think that G won't murder man,
But do not underestimate or doubt my ability to kill someone
im like fam this ain't an act its all actual shit that ive done
I am like, my friend, this is not a performance or act, it is all real and based on things that I have actually done
Shit that ive did
Actions or things that I have done
Shit that im gonna do
Actions or things that I am going to do in the future
Shit that I think
Thoughts or ideas that I have
Some man are putting it on its not at all natural
Some individuals are pretending, it is not genuine or natural behavior
Stop all the bad boy poses, none of you are bad boys bad boys know this
Stop pretending to be tough or badass, none of you are truly tough, actual tough guys understand this
Your looking for a scar on your face and basing the voices
You are seeking approval or validation through physical scars on your face and the opinions of others
But we know your still moist bitch
But we know you are still weak or cowardly, bitch
Beef I advoid it, its pointless, but ive been poisoned
I avoid unnecessary conflicts or beef, I consider it pointless, but I have been influenced or affected negatively
Man the mount ive been living in, man are on the killing ting
I have experienced many challenging situations, people are focused on causing harm or death
Like we live where the oil is
It is as if we live in a dangerous or volatile area, similar to places where oil is found
, my bloods boiling, man wanna wet me up
My anger is increasing, people want to attack or harm me
But ive already been annointed, and so my only choice is:
But I have already been chosen or designated for a special purpose, and therefore, my only option is
Take this shit like a toilet
Accept or handle this situation, similar to how a toilet handles waste
Or go hard like a coin is
Adopt an aggressive or determined approach, similar to how a hard coin feels
So now im in deep like oysters
Now I am deeply involved or embedded in a situation, similar to how oysters are found deep in the ocean
Im looking at certain man (what)
I am observing or watching specific individuals
And I can see what the 'roids did, but im not gonna take that route
And I can see the effects of steroids on them, but I am not going to follow a similar path
Skinny nigger with an 8-pack how? (how?)
How is it possible for a skinny person like me to have an 8-pack of abdominal muscles?
Head to knees then lay back down, 150 times a day
Touching my head to my knees and then lying back down, repeating this exercise 150 times every day
Its hard to maintain that wow:
It is difficult to sustain or keep up that level of physical fitness
Pump up, tone up, weights in a gym
Exercising to build muscle and tone up, using weights in a gym
Dun book a donut straight in the chin
I have punched someone in the chin with so much force that it resembled a donut being thrown
Dun fucks, roll up, waving a ting
I have been involved in fights or altercations, rolling up or arriving prepared, waving a dangerous object
One buzz, hold up, blaze and a win
One hit or puff, hold it up, smoke and achieve victory
Never hit anyone or anything
I have never attacked or physically harmed someone or something
Never hit anything or anyone
I have never made a significant impact or harmed anything or anyone
Ok check 1, 2 gun to the head (bang), packbacks a bitch (bang), I ain't one to forget (bang)
Okay, check 1, 2, I put a gun to someone's head and shot (bang), getting revenge is difficult and unpleasant (bang), I am not someone who forgives easily (bang)
So ill spray it and split, when forensics got the scene and saw the bruise they say it must be a tech
So I will shoot and then quickly leave the location, when forensics arrive and analyze the scene, they will conclude that it was a gunshot wound
Yeah, must be a tech
Yes, it must be caused by a firearm or bullet
Names G-H and im fucked in the head
My name is G-H and I am mentally messed up or disturbed
Contributed by Leah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.