1) Italian… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists using the name Don Carlos:
1) Italian deep house producer and DJ Carlo Troja
2) Jamaican reggae singer and composer
1) Carlo Troja aka Don Carlos hails from Varese, in the North of Italy, and is active as a DJ from the late 70's.
He debuted as a producer towards the end of the 80's with the single 'Alone' on Calypso Records (Irma), which became one of the cult tracks of the international Deep House scene. His productions have always mixed House rhythms with afro-american jazz sounds, verging sometime towards disco, sometime towards progressive house or electronic soul.
In 1992 IRMA USA released his first album 'Mediterraneo', followed in 1993 by the Montego Bay project, produced together with Stefano Tirone (S-Tone Inc.), also on IRMA. He then released some singles on the Chicago based label Guidance under the Aquanauts moniker. He also reached the UK charts with the hit 'You Make Me Feel', sung by Byron Stingley, cover of the cult song by Sylvester.
In 2000 he released a single on Erik Morillo's Subliminal Soul label and played highly acclaimed gigs at Ministry of Sound and Turnmills in London. In 2002 he released his third album 'Music in My Mind' featuring top guest vocalists like Kim Mazelle, Michelle Weeks, Taka Boom and Kevin Bryant.
Following two mixed compilations ('Cafe De Paris Saint Tropez' and 'DJ Set') in 2004 IRMA released a collection of his 90's productions titled 'Mediterraneo', like his debut US album.
After that a serious car accident kept him away from clubs and recording studio for several months. Finally back in shape he released his fourth album 'The Cool Deep', 8 years since the previous one, which includes all the unreleased material produced during this time.
2) Don Carlos (born Euvin Spencer) was born and raised in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, in a district known as Waterhouse. It was also a musical spawning ground for many of Reggae's greatest talents, such as King Tubby, The Jays, Junior Reid and King Jammy. Don Carlos started his singing career in 1973, as one of the original members of the roots vocal group Black Uhuru.
Alongside other founding members, Don played a prominent role in the recordings of the highly acclaimed Love Crisis album for producer Prince Jammy in 1977. The album was later re-released and re-titled as Black Sounds of Freedom. A year after the trio's ground breaking debut, Don Carlos surprisingly decided to part company in pursuit of a solo career. Having needed at least three years to get the grips of being a soloist, plus developing a knack for song writing and grooming that distinctive, vocal styling it wasn't until May 1981 that Carlos really took the fraternity by storm, courtesy of a heavy, roots and culture flavored show case album Suffering for Negus Roots.
Since then, working alongside Goldie, his side kick, co-writer and back-up vocalist, having built and consolidated a staunch following through touring the live circuit--plus 12 solo albums--there has been no turning back.
Artist website: http://www.doncarlosreggae.com/
Ghetto Living
Don Carlos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yes
Woah-uh-woah, yeah
Ah ay
Living in the ghetto is not easy, oh no
But that's the place I'd rather be, oh yeah
Ghetto life for me, oh yeah
Sometimes I feel like I could cry, oh yeah
Ghetto life is for me
That is the only life I've seen
The ghetto life, the ghetto life
That's the life for me, oh yeah, oh yes
I love the ghetto life, I love the ghetto life
Woah-uh-woah yes, oh yes
Woah-uh-woah yes
I was born and raised in the ghetto, oh-ay
The ghetto life is all I know, ooh
Ghetto life, that's the only life I know
Ghetto life, the only life I know
Ghetto, woah-uh-woah life, oh life
Ghetto living is so easy to me
That's the only life I can live so free
Ghetto, woah-uh-woah, oh life
Living in the ghetto is not easy, oh no
But that's the place I'd rather be, oh yeah
Woah-uh-woah yes, ghetto
Ghetto living is for me, oh yes
Woah-uh-woah yes, oh yes
Ghetto living is just for me, ay-ay
Living in the ghetto, the place I know
Every greases and corners that's where I go
Ghetto living, oh-ay
Ghetto living, yes
Woah-uh-woah, woah-uh-woah
Woah-uh-woah yes, oh yes
Ghetto living is for me
That's the place I feel so free
The song "Ghetto Living" by Don Carlos is an ode to life in the ghetto and how it shapes an individual's personality and outlook. The lyrics describe the challenges of living in poverty and hunger and the emotional toll it takes on a person. However, despite the struggles, the singer expresses their love for the ghetto life and how it has shaped them into who they are.
The song opens with a repeated chorus that praises the ghetto life and declares it the only life the singer knows. The phrase "Woah-uh-woah" is used repeatedly throughout the song, creating a catchy rhythm that adds to the song's overall appeal. In the verses, the singer acknowledges the difficulties of living in the ghetto, but still maintains a positive outlook and appreciation for the unique experiences it provides.
The song's message is that even though the ghetto may not be an ideal place to live, it can still provide a sense of belonging and community that is hard to find elsewhere. Don Carlos emphasizes the importance of embracing one's roots and the lessons that come from growing up in a challenging environment. In a way, this song is a celebration of the human spirit and the resiliency that allows people to thrive in even the most adverse circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Woah-uh-woah, yeah
The singer is expressing excitement and enthusiasm.
Oh yes
The singer is reaffirming his preference for the ghetto life.
Living in the ghetto is not easy, oh no
The singer acknowledges the hardship of life in the ghetto.
But that's the place I'd rather be, oh yeah
Despite the difficulties, the singer prefers life in the ghetto.
Ghetto life for me, oh yeah
The singer confidently states that the ghetto life is for him.
Even though I go to bed, well hungry
The singer sometimes goes to bed hungry, indicating poverty and lack of resources.
Sometimes I feel like I could cry, oh yeah
The singer is emotionally affected by the struggles of ghetto life.
That is the only life I've seen
The singer has only experienced life in the ghetto.
That's the life for me, oh yeah, oh yes
The singer is excited and confident about the life he has chosen.
I love the ghetto life, I love the ghetto life
The singer is expressing strong appreciation for the ghetto lifestyle.
I was born and raised in the ghetto, oh-ay
The singer has spent his entire life in the ghetto.
That's the only life I know
The singer emphasizes that he has only known life in the ghetto.
Ghetto living is so easy to me
The singer finds life in the ghetto easy in spite of its difficulties.
That's the only life I can live so free
The singer feels a sense of freedom associated with the ghetto lifestyle.
Living in the ghetto, the place I know
The singer emphasizes that the ghetto is his home and familiar to him.
Every greases and corners that's where I go
The singer navigates every area of the ghetto, indicating familiarity and comfort.
Ghetto living, oh-ay
The singer repeats his affinity for ghetto life.
That's the place I feel so free
The singer feels liberated and unencumbered in the ghetto.
Writer(s): Don Carlos
Contributed by Ava V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@deliriuscriativus1
2023 que está curtindo Don Carlos, dá um like aí.👍
@miloudbenaissamb
Don carlos c est vraiment l ange de la Jamaïque merci pour tout tes music que je kife plus que tout jha te bénisse ghettos is not easy
@tonydoganii5704
Lyssnat på dessa Don Carlos låtar i minst 15 år och fortfarande älskar jag dem. Kung Don Carlos.
@bojanmijacic4592
King of REGGAE
@sdcavymc
great song. someone took this cd from me a few years back. You got some nice roots in your collection
@SSS787SSS
2021 Costa Rica big up Don Carlos
@tigrettezion
quel chanteur !!!!!!!!! une voie de rêve un petit bijoux du reggae peace
@miloudbenaissamb
C est le meilleur av bob
@ridindirtybooi
hw cn 1 person dislike such a beautiful song, doing my assignment and loving it
@chopes91
2020 DON CARLOS REGGAE se escucha en chile bless