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!”
Rebel
Ghetts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm straight from the gutter my brudda, we never had
We living on a budget - holes in the rooftop (what else?)
Room full of buckets, it's getting bad
Things could be worse I suppose, school trips, school kids
Cursing my clothes, is it the same in every house
When the curtains are closed? (daydreamin')
I'm in a world of my own (I ain't leavin')
Of embracing insanity, put me in a padded room
Throw away the key and let me escape the anarchy
I can't take it, I turn my back on the world
I can't face it, RayBan gang fam
Can't see my eyes cause I'm on my dark shades shit (Ray Charles)
Black everything, you can ask David Cameron if we're living in the dark ages
Black everything, you can ask David
Black everything, you can ask David
Black everything, you can ask David Cameron if we're living in the dark ages
I'm a rebel
Always have been
Where I'm come from it's a mad ting
Standing in my Stan Smiths
Stamping on the canvas for action
All I acquired from the riot
Is people are sick and tired of being quiet
Dying to be heard
That's why there's fire in my words
I don't give a fuck my brudda, I never will
Straight from the gutter my brudda, rare real
Living life like "fuck it", living life like there's nothing
To live for but the money I'mma keep it one hundred
The hunger inside is what drives us
That's why there's youngers inside who are lifers
They say love is blind so you might just
Fall in love with them crimes that'll blind us
And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't out late
Around H, scales out, another ounce weighed
More pounds made, sounds great
Salts under my tongue, my mouth's laced
So many feds chasing me down the ground shakes
Helicopters, bikes and cars chasing
So many officers behind, my heart's racing
The song Rebel by Ghetts is about the struggles of growing up in poverty and how it can lead people to turn to a life of rebellion and potentially criminal activity. The opening lines of the song express a sense of never giving up, even when times are tough. Ghetts describes growing up with holes in the roof and a room full of buckets, highlighting just how difficult life was. He then reflects on the similarities between his own experiences and those of other kids in his community, where poverty and lack of access to resources is common. This causes him to daydream and seek escape from the reality of his situation.
The song then takes a turn and becomes a statement about rebellion, as Ghetts declares himself a rebel who is not afraid to speak out against injustice. He uses the metaphor of stamping on canvas to depict his desire to take action and make his voice heard. The riots he refers to seem to have had an impact on him and have made him realize the importance and necessity of speaking up.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Black everything, you can ask David Cameron if we're living in the dark ages", highlighting the discrimination and oppression faced by black people in British society. The song is a powerful commentary on the challenges faced by young people in inner cities, particularly those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't give a fuck my brudda, I never have
I don't care about anything, and I never have.
I'm straight from the gutter my brudda, we never had
I come from a poor background, and we never had much.
We living on a budget - holes in the rooftop (what else?)
Room full of buckets, it's getting bad
We're struggling financially and have to live in subpar conditions.
Things could be worse I suppose, school trips, school kids
Cursing my clothes, is it the same in every house
When the curtains are closed? (daydreamin')
I'm daydreaming about a better life, but I know that things could be worse. I wonder if other people are facing the same struggles behind closed doors.
I'm in a world of my own (I ain't leavin')
It must be because I hate my reality, that's why I'm on the verge
Of embracing insanity, put me in a padded room
Throw away the key and let me escape the anarchy
I feel like I'm in my own world because I hate my reality. The struggles I face make me feel like I'm going crazy, and I just want to escape everything.
I can't take it, I turn my back on the world
I can't face it, RayBan gang fam
Can't see my eyes cause I'm on my dark shades shit (Ray Charles)
I feel like I can't handle what the world is throwing at me, so I turn my back on it. I wear sunglasses so no one can see my emotions and things that I hide from the world.
Black everything, you can ask David Cameron if we're living in the dark ages
Black everything, you can ask David
Black everything, you can ask David
Black everything, you can ask David Cameron if we're living in the dark ages
The color black represents the oppression and struggles that black people face. By asking David Cameron, the singer is calling out the systemic issues in society and questioning whether we're still living in the dark ages.
I'm a rebel
Always have been
Where I'm come from it's a mad ting
Standing in my Stan Smiths
Stamping on the canvas for action
All I acquired from the riot
Is people are sick and tired of being quiet
Dying to be heard
That's why there's fire in my words
I've always been a rebel, and I come from a chaotic place. I'm standing up for what I believe in and fighting for change. The riots showed that people are tired of being silenced, and that's what fuels my passion.
I don't give a fuck my brudda, I never will
Straight from the gutter my brudda, rare real
Living life like 'fuck it', living life like there's nothing
To live for but the money I'mma keep it one hundred
I'll never change and always live my life with a carefree attitude. I come from a rough background, but I'm genuine. I'm only living for money, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise.
The hunger inside is what drives us
That's why there's youngers inside who are lifers
They say love is blind so you might just
Fall in love with them crimes that'll blind us
Our desire for success is what motivates us, and that's why some young people end up becoming lifelong criminals. They get blinded by the allure of making money quickly, even if it's through illegal means.
And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't out late
Around H, scales out, another ounce weighed
More pounds made, sounds great
Salts under my tongue, my mouth's laced
I'm involved in the drug trade and make money from it. I'm not going to deny it, and I enjoy the success it brings me. I hide drugs in my mouth so no one can catch me.
So many feds chasing me down the ground shakes
Helicopters, bikes and cars chasing
So many officers behind, my heart's racing
I'm constantly being chased by the police, and it's a scary experience. They use all sorts of vehicles to keep up with me, and it makes me frightened for my life.
Contributed by Maria N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jacob Dursley
This is a lot better than people give it credit for , it's actually a really original song from a sick artist who needs a lot more recognition
Warren Croft
Ghetts you're a genius. If you haven't followed his progressive mind set from the beginning school yourselves. Can't wait for the album drop. I hope he finally gets the recognition he deserves in the uk.
Mass Effect
2019 June. Been a long while since I listened to this
Mike Jones
This song popped into my head during my night shift. Had to listen to it again.
Ben Widdup
The videos well matched, this has the sound of revolution. I love how ghetts was quietly working on doing things on the next level. It's inspiring to me, you have to not listen to anyone and work on your own vision, don't reveal your cards until its time to win.
Courtney-Jai
so happy to see ghetts return proud loving this
Tximitxurri
Nice, finally some good real rap, not about tits and dollars, it's about reality.
Blitz3677
MOBO's bought me here. Never heard the song before but the guitar riff is just sick !!
T1 Gavlar
noisey supporting uk grime/rap, alot of respect for that.
Calum
Pre-ordered the album! Can't wait for it, Ghetts is easily the best in the UK at the moment!