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!”
Times Change
Ghetts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How it is ain't how it will be
When anyone asks how I've been
I tell em ask how I will be
(Story time)
School days they never paid her no attention
Was taking home her best friend
Remember trocadero had us all going West End?
She was the weirdo
The lame with no protection
So they used to call her rugged
And she called her older bruddas
At night she couldn't sleep
She just hid below the covers
She was a tomboy with potential
In a class full of cruel kids
All alone she suffered
But the years passed by and
The glasses became contacts
Her hair's relaxed and the braces disappeared
She used to battle with her pass out
Couldn't pass, she made combat
She's got it back now, her face is everywhere
Shop windows and adverts
Now it's like she's never been
Insulted by a man's words
Nobody thought that she'd become a model
When her hair was in a bobble
She had bottles thrown at her times change
People change times change
People change
School days she was the one
That all the boys chased
Just another little boy tryna beat
Before his voice breaks
Valentines day, there ain't a choice made
Way too many options, she can't avoid hate
Now there's rumours going round the school
They're calling her a slag
They say she's going out with Paul
She ain't cool with that
Cause Paul ain't growing outta all
The things children have
He wrote a little poem on the
Wall where the water's at
The years passed by and
Her reputation was ruined
Telling every man she meets they're
The only man she beats
Swearing on her life by elevating
What's she doing?
Now Paul's become the man to please
Sport's got the man his P
She a funky buddha, celebrity pursuing
She walks in casually
Haunting all the athletes
Now she's on the same celebrity she knew when
She was a secondary girl
But he remembers very well
The model, the baller, the chicken head
All went the same school, coincidence
Different situations supported by
These instruments (life)
Hate, love and too much
Attention caused the difference
The model was the victim
(chicken head was loved)
And the baller was a victim
(of this chick he said he loved)
Mate, I'm just painting the picture
(where's my brush?)
Only two used the gift they was given
One never once opened a present up
She just opened her legs and
Hoping to to get a cuff
From bruddas that get money
But no, she never does
I suppose it's never funny
When these hoes have a child
That won't respect their mummy
Back to the other two
One night they crossed paths
In the lobby of the W, a hot glance
Turned into exchanging numbers
Who, ever thought that they
Would get together? Well, I never
The lyrics to Ghetts's song "Times Change" tell the story of two girls who face different experiences in their school days and how their lives change over time. The first verse focuses on a girl who was often marginalized and bullied during her school days. She faced ridicule and insults, but as time passed, she transformed her appearance and became a successful model. The second verse portrays a girl who was popular among the boys in school, but her reputation was tarnished by rumors and gossip. However, she later finds success and becomes a sought-after figure in the celebrity world. The lyrics reflect on how people's perceptions and circumstances can change over time, and how individuals can overcome adversity and transform their lives.
Overall, the song "Times Change" explores the themes of personal growth, resilience, and the transforming power of time. It highlights the importance of not judging others based on their past, as people can evolve and change. It also prompts listeners to reflect on their own experiences of change and how they have overcome challenges or evolved as individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
How it was ain't how it is
The past has changed, and the present is different from before.
How it is ain't how it will be
The current situation is not permanent and will continue to evolve.
When anyone asks how I've been
When someone asks about my well-being in the past
I tell em ask how I will be
I suggest that they inquire about my future well-being instead.
School days they never paid her no attention
During her school days, she was overlooked and ignored.
All the boys used to think about
Boys only focused on
Was taking home her best friend
Being romantically involved with her best friend.
Remember trocadero had us all going West End?
We used to visit Trocadero and were excited about going to the West End.
She was the weirdo
She was considered strange or different.
The lame with no protection
She was seen as uncool and vulnerable.
So they used to call her rugged
They would mockingly refer to her as tough or rough.
And she called her older bruddas
She would seek support or protection from her older brothers.
At night she couldn't sleep
She struggled with insomnia.
She just hid below the covers
She would hide under her bed covers.
She was a tomboy with potential
She had the potential to excel but was seen as masculine.
In a class full of cruel kids
She attended a class with mean-spirited classmates.
All alone she suffered
She endured the suffering by herself.
But the years passed by and
As time went on,
The glasses became contacts
She switched from wearing glasses to using contact lenses.
Her hair's relaxed and the braces disappeared
Her hair became straightened, and she no longer had braces.
She used to battle with her pass out
She struggled academically and couldn't graduate.
Couldn't pass, she made combat
Instead of passing her exams, she engaged in conflict or fighting.
She's got it back now, her face is everywhere
She has regained success and her face is now widely recognized.
Shop windows and adverts
Her face appears in shop windows and advertisements.
Now it's like she's never been
It seems as if her previous struggles never happened.
Insulted by a man's words
She was verbally attacked or belittled by a man.
Nobody thought that she'd become a model
No one expected her to become a model.
When her hair was in a bobble
When she tied her hair up in a bobble/ponytail.
She had bottles thrown at her times change
People used to throw bottles at her, but now times have changed.
People change times change
People change and evolve as time goes on.
School days she was the one
During school days, she was popular or desired.
That all the boys chased
Boys competed or pursued her.
Just another little boy tryna beat
Just another young boy trying to impress or win over.
Before his voice breaks
Before his voice deepens during puberty.
Valentines day, there ain't a choice made
On Valentine's Day, no decision has been made regarding a partner.
Way too many options, she can't avoid hate
She has too many potential suitors, which leads to jealousy or criticism.
Now there's rumours going round the school
There are rumors circulating among the students.
They're calling her a slag
They are derogatorily labeling her as promiscuous.
They say she's going out with Paul
They claim she's in a relationship with someone named Paul.
She ain't cool with that
She doesn't approve or agree with that statement.
Cause Paul ain't growing outta all
Because Paul hasn't matured or improved
The things children have
The immaturity or childishness he exhibits.
He wrote a little poem on the
He wrote a short poem on the
Wall where the water's at
He wrote it in a location where water is present.
Her reputation was ruined
Her reputation was destroyed or tarnished.
Telling every man she meets they're
She falsely tells every man she encounters
The only man she beats
That he is the only man she is with.
Swearing on her life by elevating
Promising with utmost sincerity
What's she doing?
Regarding her actions or behavior.
Now Paul's become the man to please
Now Paul has become the desired man.
Sport's got the man his P
His sporting talent earned him prestige or respect.
She a funky buddha, celebrity pursuing
She is now a trendy and popular figure, actively seeking fame.
She walks in casually
She enters in a relaxed and nonchalant manner.
Haunting all the athletes
She captivates or enthralls all the athletes.
Now she's on the same celebrity she knew when
Now she is at the same level of fame she was familiar with.
She was a secondary girl
She was a regular girl who wasn't in the limelight.
But he remembers very well
But he vividly remembers who she used to be.
The model, the baller, the chicken head
Referring to three different people: the model, the athlete, and the promiscuous girl.
All went the same school, coincidence
It's a coincidence that they all attended the same school.
Different situations supported by
Each had different circumstances influenced by
These instruments (life)
These components of life or factors that shaped them.
Hate, love and too much
The presence of hate, love, and excessive
Attention caused the difference
Attention from others led to their contrasting paths.
The model was the victim
The model faced hardships or mistreatment.
(chicken head was loved)
(the promiscuous girl was desired)
And the baller was a victim
The athlete also suffered or faced difficulties.
(of this chick he said he loved)
(due to his affection for the promiscuous girl)
Mate, I'm just painting the picture
My friend, I'm simply creating a vivid depiction.
(where's my brush?)
(playfully asking where my brush is)
Only two used the gift they was given
Only two individuals utilized their talents or abilities.
One never once opened a present up
One never took advantage of the opportunities presented to them.
She just opened her legs and
Instead, she engaged in casual sexual relationships
Hoping to get a cuff
In hopes of securing a relationship or commitment
From bruddas that get money
From men who earn a lot of money.
But no, she never does
But no, she never receives the commitment she desires.
I suppose it's never funny
I guess it's never amusing
When these hoes have a child
When these women have a child
That won't respect their mummy
That won't show respect to their mother.
Back to the other two
Referring to the other two individuals mentioned earlier.
One night they crossed paths
One night, their paths intersected.
In the lobby of the W, a hot glance
In the lobby of a hotel called The W, they exchanged a passionate look.
Turned into exchanging numbers
Which then led to exchanging contact information.
Who, ever thought that they
Who could have ever predicted that they
Would get together? Well, I never
Would end up being in a relationship? Well, I certainly never thought so.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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