“I’m not that ‘Ghetto’ person anymore,” Ghetts proclaims about his name cha… Read Full Bio ↴“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.

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!”

One Take
Ghetts Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Colt 45
Rider, road all night
You or your lie
Thank God you got home all right
I heard you what you said
Pussyhole, no more lies
Don't think you're rough
You're butterflying some bogle guy

I'm wicked and bad
Come through swinging a bat
You wanna fight with your fist and feet?
Rudeboy, visit Japan
This go clickety clack
And I don't mind flicking the shank
I ain't got a number for Mark Morrison
But I'm ringing the Mac
Look around me
Nothing but real niggas around me
One or two or white gyal
Three or four lighties
Five or six darkies
Seven or eight brownings
Drink Magnums everyday
But that don't make us alchies
Wallahi
I say 'ay gyal' like a yardie
I can do so much with this paper
Boy, you'd think I learnt origami
Point me to the party
Big joint like I'm Marley
Enjoying it calmly
Avoid me if you're jarring
Check this
I need 20 on the guest list
I need Henny on the rider
Let Kelly and her friends in
Spending
Every penny that I left with
'Everything get lock arff'
If I see enemies in my section
Death wish
Who's got a death wish?
I can make that wish come true
I'm the red genie and I'm horrendous
Jafari
Don't 'hi', 'hello' or 'wha gwan' me
I go anywhere in the world
But I wouldn't go Carni
Draw out
Gotta bring the sword out
Even if you get away when you-when you're there
I bet feds kick your door down
But if man played
"Aaa"

At Rampage
You can bet that will get torn down

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of "One Take" by Ghetts and Rude Kid brings us on a thrilling ride through the streets on a dark night. The song begins with a reference to Colt 45, a brand of American malt liquor that is often associated with tough neighborhoods and hard living. The rider in the lyrics is likely a young man who's been out all night, perhaps drinking and smoking. The line "you or your lie" suggests that he may have told someone he was going home when he was really off doing something else. But the singer is glad that he's made it back safely, and threatens anyone who might try to hurt him in the future.

The next few lines of the verse show the singer's confidence and bravado, as he warns a rival not to mess with him. "Butterflying" means to dance or move around in a playful way, but here it's used as an insult, meaning that the rival is not serious or tough. The singer, on the other hand, is "wicked and bad," someone who's willing to fight with a bat or a shank (a homemade knife). He even mentions Mark Morrison, a British singer from the 90s, and says he's "ringing the Mac" (meaning a Mac-10 machine gun) to scare him off.

The rest of the verse takes us into the singer's world, where he's surrounded by "real niggas" (meaning his close friends and allies) and a mix of different races and ethnicities. He's not afraid to flirt with women, drink Magnum (a brand of wine), or spend money on the finer things in life. However, he's also aware of the danger that comes with living in a rough area, and he's always ready to defend himself and his crew.

Line by Line Meaning

Colt 45
Starting off with a reference to an alcoholic drink, suggesting the start of a wild night.

Rider, road all night
Imagery of travelling all night long with the rider suggesting it's been a long, perhaps dangerous journey.

You or your lie
Possible reference to unreliable individuals, or a subtle message for people to own up to their actions.

Thank God you got home all right
A thankful message stating that they're glad everyone arrived home safely.

I heard you what you said
Acknowledging a previous conversation and listening in on words that were exchanged.

Pussyhole, no more lies
An aggressive demand for the end of lies from certain individuals being referred to.

Don't think you're rough
A warning not to overestimate one's toughness or bravado.

You're butterflying some bogle guy
A criticism of someone 'dancing' around like a butterfly, potentially in a mocking tone.

I'm wicked and bad
Expressing confidence and dominance in one's abilities, a possible reference to the artist's past or personal experiences.

Come through swinging a bat
A metaphorical statement that the artist is not afraid to take action and defend themselves.

You wanna fight with your fist and feet?
Questioning an individual's motives for physical confrontation over other ways of handling a situation.

Rudeboy, visit Japan
A possible reference to exploring other cultures or living outside of one's comfort zone.

This go clickety clack
Potentially referencing a gun or weapon that makes a sound when being loaded.

And I don't mind flicking the shank
A warning that the artist is not afraid to use a melee weapon if threatened.

I ain't got a number for Mark Morrison
A humorous statement that refers to the artist not being connected to certain famous individuals.

But I'm ringing the Mac
Possibly referencing a type of firearm being 'rung' or fired.

Look around me Nothing but real niggas around me
Acknowledgement that the artist surrounds themselves with trustworthy or loyal individuals.

One or two or white gyal Three or four lighties Five or six darkies Seven or eight brownings
Diversity or acceptance of people from different backgrounds.

Drink Magnums everyday But that don't make us alchies
A statement that the artist is not an alcoholic even if they consume alcohol regularly.

Wallahi I say 'ay gyal' like a yardie
A possible reference to Jamaican culture or language.

I can do so much with this paper Boy, you'd think I learnt origami
Implying that the artist has many options or opportunities due to having money, and the origami reference is humorous wordplay.

Point me to the party Big joint like I'm Marley
Looking for a party or event to join in on, and comparing it to Bob Marley's smoking habits with a humorous tone.

Enjoying it calmly
Savoring or appreciating a moment or experience without being too loud or excessive.

Avoid me if you're jarring
A warning to avoid the artist if someone is being annoying or frustrating.

Check this I need 20 on the guest list I need Henny on the rider Let Kelly and her friends in
Asserting their needs or requirements for a certain event in a confident tone.

Spending Every penny that I left with
Indicating that their spending habits are very rigorous, potentially alluding to a luxurious lifestyle.

'Everything get lock arff' If I see enemies in my section
A warning that they will take control of their surroundings if necessary and any presumed enemies should be careful.

Death wish Who's got a death wish?
Questioning if someone wants to risk their life, suggesting that an individual might be pushing the limit.

I can make that wish come true I'm the red genie and I'm horrendous Jafari
Asserting that they have the power and skill to make something happen, and following this with an alias that is possibly unique or personal.

Don't 'hi', 'hello' or 'wha gwan' me I go anywhere in the world But I wouldn't go Carni
Requesting to be addressed differently and indicating that they are open to traveling almost anywhere but refuse to attend Carnival.

Draw out Gotta bring the sword out
Preparing for a physical altercation and indicating that the artist will use a weapon if necessary.

Even if you get away when you-when you're there I bet feds kick your door down
Even if someone gets away with something, there might still be consequences down the line.

But if man played "Aaa" At Rampage You can bet that will get torn down
If someone is disrespectful or causes trouble during an event, they should expect to face repercussions from other attendees.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS