The Dayton Family originally formed in the early 1990's. The group consisted of Bootleg ( Ira Dorsey ), Shoestring ( Raheen Peterson ), and Backstabber ( Matt Hinkle ). They decided to name the group after one of Flint's most infamous hustling streets, none other than Dayton Avenue. Immediately after the group's formation they began writing rhymes together, resulting in their first song "Dope Dayton Ave". They teamed up with local producer Steve Pitts and recorded their first full album "What's On My Mind?". It was released locally in 1993, and then again nationally on April 27, 1995. Soon after, they also contributed the song "Stick N' Move", to No Limit's "Down South Hustlers" compilation album, which helped them to gain fans in the American south.
After much touring and word of mouth promotion, TDF had begun to develop quite a reputation in the hardcore "gangsta rap" underground scene, mainly across the MidWest and South. They then entered the studio to create their second album, "F.B.I." (Fuck Being Indicted). The group was now a duo consisting of Bootleg and Shoestring since Backstabber had been arrested on drug charges and sentenced to a ten year prison term between "What's on My Mind?" and "F.B.I.". The album was released on September 24, 1996. It soon went gold and managed to make it's way into the billboard R&B/rap top ten chart in late 1996. But unfortunately, just as the Dayton Family were on their way to mass recognition in the hardcore rap underground, the law intervened. But if this wan't enough hard luck, Bootleg was indicted soon after the release of F.B.I.
All through the remainder of the 90's the group's members, (especially Bootleg) dealt with legal issues and jail time. Amidst this, Bootleg still managed to release his first solo album: "Death Before Dishonesty" on March 23, 1999. Shoestring also released his first solo album, "Representin' Til' the World Ends" this same year. Then in 2001 Bootleg and Shoestring both released their second solo albums "Hated By Many, Loved By Few" (Bootleg) and "Cross Addicted" (Shoestring), also Bootleg's brother Ghetto E released his first solo album "Ghetto Theater" in this same year.
Finally, in 2002 the group released their first LP in five years: "Welcome to the Dopehouse", with the addition of Ghetto E as the third member. The group then waited until July 26, 2005 to release their fourth LP "Family Feud" once again as the duo of Bootleg and Shoestring. The album was well received by fans and featured appearances from Capone, Cormega and Kurupt. Bootleg then proceeded to release his third solo album "The Product" on October 25, 2005. TDF recently released a 9 track EP entitled "Back on Dayton Ave." in April 2006, featuring long time staple of the "Flint Town" rap scene and collaborator, Jake the Flake as the group's third member. The Dayton Family is now signed to U Be U Records based in Saginaw, Michigan.
On July 14th, 2010 it was announced on the official website of the Insane Clown Posse and through all Psychopathic Records outlets that The Dayton Family had been signed to their sub-label, Hatchet House.
Ghetto
The Dayton Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say I'm a dope dealer, they say I'm a money snatcher
They call me a ghetto thug, I'm livin the ghetto life
I'm stuck with my ghetto kids, so I married a ghetto wife
I got no education, I'm workin the ghetto job
I live on the ghetto streets, so I run with the ghetto mob
They give me a ghetto check, three dollars that's no respect
Not enough to survive, so I break me a ghetto neck
Front page of the newspaper, fiend dies over ghetto rock
I'm tired of the ghetto noise, ghetto girls ghetto boys
Hand me a shotgun, cause them are my ghetto toys
This ghetto mentality, I live in a ghetto town
Bang to the boogie boom, lets fight to our ghetto sound
They taught me the tricks and trades, I'm stuck in my ghetto ways
That's why hypocrites are all sayin these are the ghetto days
I ?? to a ghetto rock, I'm stopped by a ghetto cop
A young girl get pregnant, cause she was brought ghetto hot
I roll with the ghetto game, I'm kickin the ghetto slang
They gave me a ghetto name, cause its a ghetto thang
Chorus: (Repeat 4X)
And the ghetto is no joke
They got me thinkin, how can a brother get away
They say I'm a ghetto crook, I'm kickin the ghetto game
Ghetto babies die, damn that's a ghetto shame
Back to the ghetto days, and backed to the ghetto nights
Back to the ghetto lives, and back to the ghetto fights
Back to the ghetto ladies, and back to the ghetto men
Back to the ghetto churches , and back to the ghetto sins
Yes that's a ghetto thing, hit with a ghetto swing
If you don't know why I say it, than ask Mr. Rodney King
Cause down in Los Angeles, the ghetto is scandalous
than Uncle Toms, even they can't handle this
I go to a ghetto school, i'm keepin it ghetto cool
I pack me a ghetto tool, gonna kill me a ghetto fool
I walk on a ghetto floor, I shop at a ghetto store
How can I pay more, I can't afford it, I'm ghetto poor
I snort me some ghetto caine, it messed up my ghetto veins
But I don't even know why, (Why?) Cause its a ghetto thang
Chorus
I walk in the ghetto rain, my ghetto ??? gone insane
I need the ghetto bang, so I cop me some Nightrain
I'm down with my ghetto crime, I'm doin my ghetto time
It got me goin crazy, I'm out of my ghetto mind
I heard me a ghetto blast, straight to his ghetto head
Look in the newspaper, Backstabber is ghetto dead
This is the ghetto scene, but still I don't understand
That's the way it is, when you dealin with a ghetto man
Chorus
The Dayton Family's "Ghetto" is a gritty and honest portrayal of life in impoverished inner-city neighborhoods. The lyrics paint a picture of the struggles faced by those living in these areas, including poverty, violence, and a lack of opportunities. The singer describes how they are constantly labeled as a "ghetto man" or "ghetto thug" and how they are forced to live with the limited resources available to them. They speak about how they have to run with the "ghetto mob" to survive and are given a meager "ghetto check" that is not enough to make ends meet.
Line by Line Meaning
They say I'm a ghetto man, they call me a ghetto bastard
People label me as someone who lives in the ghetto, they call me derogatory names
They say I'm a dope dealer, they say I'm a money snatcher
People accuse me of being involved in the illegal drug trade and accuse me of stealing money
They call me a ghetto thug, I'm livin the ghetto life
People refer to me as a violent person because I am living in the unsafe and dangerous environment of the ghetto
I'm stuck with my ghetto kids, so I married a ghetto wife
Because of my circumstances, I ended up marrying someone from the same ghetto environment as me and we have children who are growing up in this same environment
I got no education, I'm workin the ghetto job
I do not have access to opportunities for better education or jobs, so I am forced to work in low-paying and undesirable jobs
I live on the ghetto streets, so I run with the ghetto mob
I am part of a group of people who all live in the same impoverished and unsafe area, and we stick together for protection and support
They give me a ghetto check, three dollars that's no respect
The government provides me with a welfare check that is not enough to live on and does not show any respect for my situation
Not enough to survive, so I break me a ghetto neck
The welfare check is not enough to provide for myself and/or my family, so I am forced to turn to criminal activity to make ends meet
I pop me a ghetto shot, down on the ghetto block
I am involved in using or selling drugs in my neighborhood
Front page of the newspaper, fiend dies over ghetto rock
A drug overdose is reported in the news, showcasing the negative effects of the drug trade in the ghetto
I'm tired of the ghetto noise, ghetto girls ghetto boys
I am exhausted by the chaos and danger that comes along with living in the ghetto, including the behavior of some of the people in the area
Hand me a shotgun, cause them are my ghetto toys
I have been pushed to the point where I feel like my only option for protection is obtaining and using weapons
This ghetto mentality, I live in a ghetto town
The negative mindset and circumstances that come with living in the ghetto are affecting my outlook on life and I am surrounded by others who are in the same situation
Bang to the boogie boom, lets fight to our ghetto sound
We will fight to defend our way of life and culture that has developed in the ghetto
They taught me the tricks and trades, I'm stuck in my ghetto ways
The people and circumstances around me have taught me how to survive in the ghetto, and I find it difficult to see any other way of life
That's why hypocrites are all sayin these are the ghetto days
People who have not lived in the ghetto make assumptions about the situation and make comments on it without truly understanding it
I ?? to a ghetto rock, I'm stopped by a ghetto cop
I am listening to music that is popular in the ghetto and get in trouble with a police officer who is patrolling the area
A young girl get pregnant, cause she was brought ghetto hot
A teenage girl becomes pregnant because she was exposed to and influenced by the unhealthy lifestyle and behavior that is common in the ghetto
I roll with the ghetto game, I'm kickin the ghetto slang
I am part of the culture and language that has developed in the ghetto, and I take pride in it
They gave me a ghetto name, cause its a ghetto thang
My name reflects my identity as someone from the ghetto, and it is seen as a positive thing in our culture
And the ghetto is no joke
Living in the ghetto is a serious matter that has negative consequences on the people who experience it
They got me thinkin, how can a brother get away
I am constantly thinking about how I can escape this dangerous and oppressive environment
I'm down with my ghetto crime, I'm doin my ghetto time
I am involved in illegal activity in the ghetto and accept any consequences that come with that
It got me goin crazy, I'm out of my ghetto mind
The constant danger and difficulty of living in the ghetto is taking a toll on my mental health and well-being
I heard me a ghetto blast, straight to his ghetto head
There is a violent altercation in the ghetto that results in someone being killed or seriously injured
Look in the newspaper, Backstabber is ghetto dead
The news reports on another instance of violence or death in the ghetto due to the dangerous circumstances and environment
That's the way it is, when you dealin with a ghetto man
When someone lives in the ghetto, these experiences become a part of their identity and behavior
Lyrics © LITTLE BROTHER MUSIC INC.
Written by: JIMMY MASLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wisconsin Strength
The writing of the lyrics is creative af, the storyline while incorporating "ghetto" into almost every line is amazing...and the beat is just ill
Ronnie Parker
Got the homie thinking how I can get guess God got help us when we pass away 💙💖💙💖🤲🏼🤲🏼🤲🏼👑👑
David Mondragon
I remember when my brother showed me this music back in the days now he’s in peace
Demario Williams
Damn! 😢
PigglyWiggly PG
My pops pmo, real triple OG. RIP Pops
Gambinotubee
90s, i was young, hip hop was real ... world was better than now.
OffDaChayn
I love how this song goes. Too bad they aint blow up like they're suppose to. But yeah, this tell a story of anger and pain in a rather calm manner on a calm instrumental
anwjuice
OffDaChayn why do people make this comment all the time? Just because it wasntnon the radio thatvplaysbpop music because heard them ob radio n back in day n to me they blew up n was legendary
Dr Orr
@anwjuice tf
Brandon Horlback
Man this made me cry this morning boy things changed I wouldn’t trade my teenage years for nothing in the world music 🎼 has changed