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!”
Squeeze
Ghetts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The block's four stories
If you had a choice would you stay in the ends where they shot poor Corey?
If you had a voice would you save your breath or say this all for me?
If you was annoyed they was saying it was them would you want your glory?
If you wanna take credit
Better be able to take twenty
And if you can't take twenty, stop moving like you're Wayne Perry
You're tryna get a name with it
Or get away with it
Thin line between both
You know that cage that comes and the MMA with it
Ringside, I seen both
Bloodshed
Tears fall, be careful
It's always their fault
As long as we're cool
Bloodshed over nothing
Man a bust lead over nothing
Another one dead over nothing
Big .45 when they run in there
And they squeeze
Murderer
And they squeeze
Murderer
Pray for me on this spiritual journey
I been biblical early
I pray Titch don't finish all thirty
I grew up on Above the Rim
I watched Flip try ridicule Birdie
Beef in the east split the manor in half like a difficult derby
I come from where a knife wound's minimal
A man is still dead after miracle surgery
I find it hard to reflect like the mirror's all dirty
I don't know anyone as well as I thought I did
So I can't say my niggas all certi
One or two of my originals burnt me
Now I'm cynical, worthy
I'm reserved when I'm tryna preserve me
I said I'm reserved when I'm tryna preserve me
Bloodshed
Tears fall, be careful
It's always their fault
As long as we're cool
Bloodshed over nothing
Man a bust head over nothing
Another one dead over nothing
Big .45 when you're running there
And they squeeze
Murderer
And he squeeze
Murderer
In "Squeeze," Ghetts and Miraa May delve into the realities of growing up in the East End of London where violence and crime are a common occurrence. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics as Ghetts paints a vivid picture of the violence and bloodshed that characterizes his neighborhood. He asks listeners if they would choose to remain in such a place where poor Corey was gunned down. The imagery of the red pavement intensifies the gravity of the situation and perhaps points to the blood that has been spilt on the concrete.
Ghetts continues to question the motives of those who perpetrate violence in his community, asking if they are seeking fame or glory. The line, "Thin line between both, you know that cage that comes and the MMA with it, ringside, I seen both," suggests that there is a fine line between gaining notoriety and ending up in jail or worse. This is emphasized by the chorus, where Ghetts and Miraa May lament the bloodshed and deaths that occur for no apparent reason.
In the second verse, Ghetts' reflective tone heightens as he discusses his personal experiences with betrayal and loss, leading him to become reserved and guarded. He admits that he struggles to reflect on his past because of the painful memories that resurface. Say that you can always control your emotions when you are calm. He also brings up Titch, who was arrested and given a 30-year sentence for his role in a notorious crime in London. The reference to "Above the Rim" and the characters Birdie and Flip, who played basketball in a gang-ridden neighborhood, highlights the similarities between the violence they faced and that which Ghetts and his community confront every day.
Line by Line Meaning
The pavement's red
The area is associated with violence and bloodshed.
The block's four stories
The area is a high-rise building, known for its violent history.
If you had a choice would you stay in the ends where they shot poor Corey?
Would you choose to live in an area where violence is prevalent and innocent people are targeted?
If you had a voice would you save your breath or say this all for me?
Would you speak up against injustice and violence or stay silent?
If you was annoyed they was saying it was them would you want your glory?
If someone else took credit for something you did, would you want to prove that you were the one who did it?
If you wanna take credit
If you want recognition for something you did.
Better be able to take twenty
You need to be able to handle the consequences if you take credit for something.
And if you can't take twenty, stop moving like you're Wayne Perry
Don't act like a tough guy if you can't handle the consequences of your actions.
You're tryna get a name with it
You're doing something solely for the sake of gaining recognition.
Or get away with it
You're doing something to avoid getting caught or facing consequences.
Thin line between both
There is a fine line between seeking recognition and avoiding consequences.
You know that cage that comes and the MMA with it
You know the risk of getting caught and facing consequences, including imprisonment or physical harm.
Ringside, I seen both
I have witnessed the consequences of actions, including violence and imprisonment.
Bloodshed
Violent acts resulting in the spilling of blood.
Tears fall, be careful
Be cautious and aware of the tragedy surrounding you.
It's always their fault
The blame for violent acts is often placed on individuals or groups, rather than addressing systemic issues.
As long as we're cool
As long as one is not personally affected, there is an indifference to the suffering of others.
Bloodshed over nothing
Violent acts occurring for no justified reason.
Man a bust head over nothing
People are willing to inflict harm over minor issues.
Another one dead over nothing
Lives are being taken over senseless violence.
Big .45 when they run in there
The perpetrators of violent acts are using deadly weapons to carry out their actions.
And they squeeze
They pull the trigger.
Murderer
The person committing the violent act.
Pray for me on this spiritual journey
As I try to navigate my life with purpose and morality.
I been biblical early
I am actively seeking guidance and insight from religious teachings.
I pray Titch don't finish all thirty
I hope the criminal justice system doesn't imprison someone for their entire life.
I grew up on Above the Rim
I was influenced by hip hop culture, including music and film.
I watched Flip try ridicule Birdie
I saw how people use violence and intimidation to assert dominance in their communities.
Beef in the east split the manor in half like a difficult derby
Rivalry and violence between people from different areas can cause social divides.
I come from where a knife wound's minimal
Violence is so frequent that a knife wound is considered minor.
A man is still dead after miracle surgery
Despite medical interventions, people are still losing their lives to violence.
I find it hard to reflect like the mirror's all dirty
It's difficult to be introspective and honest with oneself when surrounded by violence and negativity.
I don't know anyone as well as I thought I did
People can surprise you with their actions, even those you thought you knew well.
So I can't say my niggas all certi
I can't vouch for the actions and intentions of those I associate with.
One or two of my originals burnt me
People I trusted and looked up to have betrayed me.
Now I'm cynical, worthy
I am skeptical and cautious of others now that I have been hurt.
I'm reserved when I'm tryna preserve me
I am careful with my actions and words in order to protect myself from harm.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Justin Clarke Samuel, Jeffrey Russell, Tj Amadi, Miraa May
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dominadors4795
Honesty, this album is a masterpiece.
@sytherslicer3524
yes it is
@islandgirl3126
It really is. He's a genius
@kaspian9741
It’s such a shame loads of the new generation don’t deep him though
@LordHarlyquinn
This tune is without a doubt the most underrated we need a video for this 😭
@sytherslicer3524
I really wish this beat was longer, it's one of the best on the album if you ask me......... Fucking sick
@WizzWins
I can safely say I have replayed the first drop 50 times. Obsessed. the pavements red, the blocks 4 stories
@imajicaxo4874
Omg I love both these artists, this is amazing. What a masterpiece 🙌
@connorcollister3872
💯💯💯
@losangeleslovesyou
Miraa with the Ghetts collab and the Mahalia co-write in one week. 💛