He is a founding member of The Movement, a crew he formed after leaving F.A.G Crew due to being disillusioned with the fall-outs occurring amongst the members and is now regarded as one of the premier MC's in the Grime scene. He is now focusing on his own solo career, releasing three mixtapes in the past 3 years and is currently completing his highly anticipated debut album, rumoured to be in stores for summer 2009.
Growing up in a Christian househould, he was influenced heavily by listening to gospel and jazz music. He didn't perform well at school and starting at age 16 he was in and out of prison for robberies and several car offences. According to an interview in 2006, the origins of his nickname was from his actions as a youth which were classed as "ghetto".
In September 2007 the video for 'Top 3 Selected' from the album Ghetto Gospel was aired on Channel U. He has also featured on videos with Kano, The Streets, and Professor Green. In September 2008, Ghetts released a video for his single Sing 4 Me (produced by Rude Kid). This was then followed by two further videos, one for Don't Phone Me (feat. Griminal and produced by Nocturnal), and the second for a remix to Sing For Me (produced by Rude Kid), which was first aired end of 2008/beginning of 2009.
“I’m not that ‘Ghetto’ person anymore,” Ghetts proclaims about his name change from his previous street moniker. “I’ve grown out of it.” At 24 years of age, Justin Clarke is finally maturing into the artist he has always strived to be; or ‘Grime star’ as he puts it. From Justin to Ghetto to Ghetts, the east London native has seen the lows of being behind bars to the highs of sell out concerts all in a short space of time; the sum of which have contributed to the well rounded individual who is ready to embark on the next stage of his promising career.
2. Ghetto was an Amiga Demoscene musician from Germany, a member of several demogroups, including Alpha Flight, DOC, Level Four, and others. He was seemingly active from the late 1980s to early 1990s, and also went by the handles LCD, ShadowLight, and SHL.
The Ghetto
Ghetto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So why the ghetto shit?
I dunno what happend its just what the ghetto did
I wear my trousers low
Almost near my knees
And every where you go you almost always get this beef
'cause I'm a ghetto kid
And if we get together we could have a ghetto kid
I'll let these people know
Don't fuck with me
I've got my knife and I could get a 9 milli
I'm a ghetto kid
I said I'm just a ghetto kid
I'm a ghetto kid
East london were the metal is
Where big shotters lick out white mountains like everest
Most don't know were heaven is
Forgive me I'm rollin with deamon, I'm devilish
You all know that I never miss
I'm a beat specialist
Niggas know I'm blowin up shows like a terrorist
And if they don't know then tell 'em this
K to the izo N O
And fucking just remember this
I rip it for the ghetto kids
Some niggas don't even know were the ghetto is
Please nigga find me a glass, no
See me in see town and roll with the V6 east six east town
Its me man, I'm just me I'm a gan
I've been writin since P99
My hearts in the prison
I master the rhythm like heartless ambition
I'm a ghetto kid
I do ghetto shit
The song "The Ghetto" by Ghetto is a rap song that reflects on the artist's upbringing in the ghetto. The song begins by saying that he is a kid from the ghetto and he doesn't know why he is involved in the ghetto life, it is just what the ghetto did to him. The artist then describes his style of clothing - the low hanging trousers and the beef he has with people. He admits that he loves ghetto chicks and wants them to bear him a ghetto child. In the second verse of the song, the artist talks about his hometown in East London, a place where drug lords rule and where heaven is unknown. He talks about his skills as a beatmaker and how he can rock a show like a terrorist. He encourages his listeners to remember his name and that he is doing this for the ghetto kids.
The song "The Ghetto" is a clear reflection of the culture of the ghetto, with all its burdens, sorrows, and dangers. The lyrics reflect how the ghetto can change one's perspective on life and behavior. Ghetto music often speaks about the issues that poor, inner-city youth face on a day-to-day basis. Ghetto or street music is an essential part of rap music as a genre. It is also a means for young individuals from disadvantaged communities to voice out their frustrations and challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a ghetto kid
I come from a poor and disadvantaged background
So why the ghetto shit?
I don't know why I'm involved in negative activities, it just seems to be what's expected of me because of where I'm from
I dunno what happened; it's just what the ghetto did
I didn't choose to be born into poverty and crime, but it's the reality of my situation
I wear my trousers low, almost near my knees
I dress in a certain style that's popular in my community
And every where you go you almost always get this beef
I face conflict and criticism from people who judge me based on my appearance and background
'Cause I'm a ghetto kid, so I love ghetto chicks
I'm attracted to and romantically involved with women who come from similar backgrounds as me
And if we get together, we could have a ghetto kid
If I have children with someone from my community, they'll likely face the same challenges and struggles as me
I'll let these people know, don't fuck with me
I have a tough exterior and won't tolerate disrespect or mistreatment from others
I've got my knife and I could get a 9 milli
I'm willing to use weapons to defend myself if necessary
East London where the metal is, where big shotters lick out white mountains like Everest
I come from an area where drug trafficking and violence are prevalent
Most don't know where heaven is, forgive me I'm rollin with demon, I'm devilish
Many people in my community have lost hope and turned to negative behaviors to survive
You all know that I never miss, I'm a beat specialist
I'm confident in my abilities as a rapper and producer
Niggas know I'm blowin up shows like a terrorist, and if they don't know then tell 'em this, K to the izo N O
My performances are powerful and intense, and I'm not afraid to make a statement with my music
I rip it for the ghetto kids, some niggas don't even know where the ghetto is
I create music that speaks to and represents my community, and some people outside of it don't understand what it's like to live in poverty and violence
Please nigga find me a glass, no, see me in see town and roll with the V6 east six east town
I'm asking for a drink, and I'm proud to represent my neighborhood when I'm out in public
It's me man, I'm just me I'm a gan, I've been writin since P99
I stay true to myself and my roots, and I've been honing my skills as a rapper for many years
My heart's in the prison, I master the rhythm like heartless ambition
Although I may feel trapped and hopeless at times, I pour my heart and soul into my music and strive to perfect my craft
I'm a ghetto kid, I do ghetto shit
Despite the challenges and stigma, I embrace my identity and express myself through my art and culture
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FRASER LANCE THORNEYCROFT SMITH, KANE BRETT ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@valen011
Talking 'bout the ghetto
Funky, funky ghetto
Trying to survive
Trying to stay alive
The ghetto
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
The ghetto (hmm)
The ghetto (funky, funky ghetto)
Even though the streets are bumpy, lights burned out
Dope fiends die with a pipe in their mouths
Old school buddies not doing it right
Every day it's the same
And it's the same every night
I wouldn't shoot you, bro, but I'd shoot that fool
If he played me close and tried to test my cool
Every day I wonder just how I'll die
Only thing I know is how to survive
There's only one rule in the real world
And that's to take care of you, only you and yours
Keep dealing with the hard times day after day
Might deal me some dope, but then crime don't pay
Black man tried to break in my house again
Thought he got off the dope doing time in the pen
Even though my brothers do me just like that
I get a lot of love so I'm giving it back to the ghetto
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
The ghetto (funky, funky ghetto)
The ghetto (trying to live our lives)
The ghetto (won't ya tell 'em 'bout it, Too $hort?)
So just peep the game and don't call it crap
'Cause to me, life is one hard rap
Even though my sister smoked crack cocaine
She was nine months pregnant, ain't nothing changed
600 million on a football team
And her baby died just like a dope fiend
The story I tell is so incomplete
Five kids in the house, no food to eat
Don't look at me and don't ask me why
Mama's next door getting high
Even though she's got five mouths to feed
She'd rather spend her money on a H-I-T
I always tell the truth about things like this
I wonder if the mayor overlooked that list
Instead of adding to the task force, send some help
Waiting on him, I'd better help myself
Housing authority and the O.P.D
All these guns just to handle me in the ghetto
The ghetto (people are dying)
The ghetto (children are crying)
The ghetto (don't have enough to eat)
The ghetto (don't even have shoes on their feet)
The ghetto
Even though they put us down and call us animals
We make real big banks and buy brand new clothes
Drive fancy cars, make love to stars
Never really saying just who we are
We use alias names like Too $hort
Sell you stuff you might kill for
Young kids grow up and that's all they know
Didn't teach him in school, now he's slangin' dope
Only thing he knows is how to survive
But will he kill another brother before he dies?
In the ghetto, you keep one eye open
All day long, just hoping and hoping
You can pay your bills and not drink too much
Then the problems of life you'll be throwing up
Like me, but you don't see
Ten years from now, where will you be?
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Trying to get out of the ghetto
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
But I got no place to go
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Trying to survive in the heart of the ghetto
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Ha, 'cause that's the only place that I know
So much game in a Too $hort rap
Can't be white and whites can't be black
Why you wanna act like someone else?
All you gotta do is just be yourself
We're all the same color underneath
Short dog is in the house you'd better listen to me
Never be ashamed of what you are
Proud to be black, stand tall at heart
Even though some people give you no respect
Be intelligent, when you put 'em in check
'Cause when you're ignorant, you get treated that way
And when they throw you in jail, you got nothing to say
So if you don't listen, it's not my fault
I'll be getting paid and you'll be paying the cost
Sitting in the jailhouse, running your mouth
While me and my people try to get out
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Talking 'bout the ghetto
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Funky, funky ghetto
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Trying to survive
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Trying to stay alive
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Funky, funky ghetto
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Got no place else to go
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
Trying to stay alive
The ghetto (talking 'bout the ghetto)
@Thepaserone
If you're still listening to this in 2024 you have my respect 👊
@coletrickle1775
👊
@iambass9202
🤝🏾👊🏾👏🏾
@bearded_wolverine3503
$hort dogs in tha house
@jeffmenace91
I will always listen to this, this is easily a banger on repeat any day/year 🔥💯
@kinozzfr2657
Carlos Nolasco i have your respect
@JasonXXL
I guess the ghetto still the same everywhere, even 33 years later.
Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil.
@chrisp-uk1wo
Poverty and the issues it brings are truly a shared experience across all continents, countries, and cultures. Much love to you guys in Sao Paulo! I trained Brasilian Jiu Jitsu for several years and I would love to visit Brasil someday. You guys have a wonderful vibrant culture there.
@eughxst
🇧🇷🇧🇷
@Rizzlyricist
I used to listen to this when I was 63, and now I'm 17. This will forever be a classic.