When William was sixteen years old, he started rapping in late 1991 under the name "Will-1X" after being discovered by Compton rapper and former N.W.A. leader Eazy-E and signed a deal to Eazy's Ruthless Records. will.i.am's first rap song was "Merry Muthafuckin' Xmas" from Eazy-E's 1992 EP 5150: Home 4 tha Sick. Shortly after Eazy-E's death in 1995, Will left Ruthless to start a group that would later be called the Black Eyed Peas with fellow rappers Taboo and apl.de.ap.
After the addition of singer-songwriter Fergie, the group shot into mainstream pop consciousness with a set of hit singles in the mid-00s, popularity that continues to this day. The Black Eyed Peas' producer is Sergio Mendes, an internationally successful Brazilian musician and jazz aficionado. In September 2007, will.i.am took a major step into a solo career identity by joining with his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), on a pilot scheme to reward certain file-sharing with cash incentives, including will.i.am tracks from his then upcoming release Songs About Girls.
In total, he has released four solo albums: Lost Change (2001), Must B 21 (2003), Songs About Girls (2007), and #willpower (2013). Although often facing mixed critical reviews, he's experienced significant commercial success, including a set of popular singles. His solo performances, featuring collaborations with a wide group of artists including Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Phife Dawg, Snoop Dogg, and Nicole Scherzinger, are perhaps best summed up in the international top 20 mega-hit "Scream & Shout".
Will.i.am was also recently cast as John Wraith in the film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a prequel to the X-Men movie series. And if one enjoyed Madagascar 2's chunky hippo, Moto Moto, then one should know that the deep voice belonged will.i.am., who came in after he was ''pimped'' out to the directors by his friend and sometimes collaborator Justin Timberlake.
Before joining the Black Eyed Peas, Will.i.am attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. In 2001, he began designing his own signature clothing line, i.am, which made its official debut in 2005 at the Magic apparel trade show in Las Vegas. In 2007, Will.i.am teamed up with Blue Holdings to design a premium denim collection, i.am Antik, that had its debut on the Project Show in Las Vegas. He has also designed clothing for the Black Eyed Peas.
In January 2008, will.i.am helped write a song, "Yes We Can", in support of the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign of Barack Obama, which in turn became a music video directed by Jesse Dylan. The lyrics of the song are composed almost entirely of excerpts from Obama's speech on January 8, 2008, following the New Hampshire presidential primary election. The video features appearances from numerous celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Tatyana Ali, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodriguez, Kelly Hu, Hill Harper, Amber Valletta, Eric Balfour, Aisha Tyler, Nicole Scherzinger, Nick Cannon, Bryan Greenberg, Common and first appeared on the website for Dipdive, and within a week of its appearance racked up three million views, and over four million views on Youtube.
On February 29, 2008, a second video titled "We Are The Ones" was released on Dipdive and YouTube. It included cameo appearances from Jessica Alba, Ryan Phillippe, Kerry Washington, John Leguizamo, Regina King, Tyrese Gibson, Eric Mabius, Tichina Arnold, Adrienne Palicki, comedian George Lopez, and singers Macy Gray, Zoe Kravitz and Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo. The video features everyone chanting "O-BA-MA" as a portrayal as their hopes and wishes for Obama and his presidential campaign.
In 2013, will.i.am released his album "#thatpower".
Ghetto Love
will.i.am Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Meet new people and learn their Culture
Ajegunle Nigeria
Life in the ghetto
Bogota Columbia
Life in the ghetto
Babano Saint Lucia
Life in the ghetto
Life in the ghetto
Palermo Sicily
Life in the ghetto
South side Washington DC
Life in The ghetto
Harlem New York
Life in the ghetto
Take a bow don't be silly
Life in the Ghetto
Welcome to the ghetto land
Don't be scared hold my hand
Say hi and just make a friend
Sharp guy red eye dem dey Everywhere
Mama takioro time for me to mingle
Parties every where to downtown Buffalo
Show me where to shoko make I go Loko
That's na sound ghetto
You wanna to fight temptation you Must to yield to it
Bodega chilling thats a normal thing
Trap house party mi fi used to this
Make we go party till early morning
Let me take you down to the ghetto
To the ghetto of the world
Meet new people and learn their Culture
Other part of the world
Ajegunle Nigeria
Life in the ghetto
Bogota Columbia
Life in the ghetto
Babano Saint Lucia
Life in the ghetto
Kingston Jamaica
Life in the ghetto
Palermo Sicily
Life in the ghetto
South side Washington DC
Life in The ghetto
Harlem New York
Life in the ghetto
Take a bow don't be silly
Life in the Ghetto
Its time to set your mind at ease Believe it
She love it in the morning when my D stand at ease
Could it be Is the weed let me think Yes it is
No wonderIf she want more can't You see
I've been trying to get the melody Melody ye Melody Melody ye
Ajegunle Nigeria
Bogota Columbia
Babano Saint Lucia
Kingston Jamaica
Palermo Sicily
South side Washington DC
Harlem New York
Take a bow don't be silly
Cozumel in Mexico Porta Portugal
Caracas Venezuela
The gutter Niagara Falls
Havana cuba
Bantu urban area South Africa
Kibera in Kenya Kenya
Mama Africa
The lyrics of will.i.am's song "Ghetto Love" take the listener on a journey through various ghettos around the world, showcasing the different cultures and experiences that exist in these marginalized communities. The singer invites the listener to explore places like Ajegunle in Nigeria, Bogota in Colombia, Babano in Saint Lucia, Kingston in Jamaica, Palermo in Sicily, South side in Washington DC, and Harlem in New York. Through these references, the song highlights the vibrancy and diversity of life in these areas, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions often associated with ghettos.
The repeated mention of "Life in the ghetto" serves as a refrain that underscores the commonality of struggles and joys experienced by people living in different ghetto areas. The lyrics depict a sense of community and resilience within these neighborhoods, where people navigate the challenges of poverty, violence, and limited opportunities while still finding moments of joy and connection. By featuring various locations from around the world, the song emphasizes the universality of the ghetto experience and celebrates the strength and creativity of those who call these places home.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the daily realities of life in the ghetto, touching on themes of temptation, partying, and romantic relationships. The mention of "trap house party" and "Bodega chilling" alludes to the complex social dynamics and coping mechanisms that exist in these environments. Through these references, the song portrays a nuanced and multifaceted portrayal of ghetto life, acknowledging both the struggles and the moments of celebration that shape the community bonds and individual experiences in these areas.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics shift towards a more introspective and introspective tone, with lines like "Its time to set your mind at ease Believe it" and "She love it in the morning when my D stand at ease" reflecting on personal desires, self-expression, and the pursuit of happiness in challenging circumstances. The reference to the rhythms and melodies of life in the ghettos, as well as the invocation of various global locations, further underscores the interconnectedness and shared humanity of people living in these diverse communities. Ultimately, "Ghetto Love" can be seen as a tribute to the resilience, creativity, and spirit of the individuals who thrive in the face of adversity in ghettos around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me take you down to the ghetto
Allow me to introduce you to different neighborhoods characterized by poverty and social struggles.
Meet new people and learn their Culture
Interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain a better understanding of their way of life.
Ajegunle Nigeria
A specific location in Nigeria known for its tough living conditions.
Life in the ghetto
The daily struggles and challenges faced by those living in impoverished areas.
Bogota Columbia
Referring to a city in Colombia where marginalized communities exist.
Babano Saint Lucia
A neighborhood in Saint Lucia marked by poverty and social issues.
Kingston Jamaica
A reference to a city in Jamaica with areas that experience poverty and hardship.
Palermo Sicily
Pointing to a location in Sicily, Italy where residents face economic challenges.
South side Washington DC
Alluding to a region in Washington DC known for its difficult living conditions.
Harlem New York
Mentioning a neighborhood in New York City with a history of poverty and crime.
Take a bow don't be silly
Show respect and appreciation for the struggles faced by individuals living in these areas.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sentric Music
Written by: Temitope Jatto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@slomosvlone
GHETTO GHETTO LYRICS
[Intro:]
Ghetto, ghetto
Oh lord!
I've been praying for you
Hallelujah
[Hook:]
It is easy as 1, 2, 3
I wanna be what's on TV
And if that's wrong, please don't blame me
Cause where I live we have nothing
In the ghetto, ghetto, ghetto
In the ghetto, ghetto, ghetto
[Verse 1:]
Little kids growing up without no education
Mom's on drugs, cause that's her only medication
Nobody's home, but they ain't on a vacation
But they left the kids alone watching the TV station
What's wrong with the picture, please, someone give me the answers
They be wondering why the girls grow up to be dancers
Then we wonder why the boys grow up to be dealers
And they be angry at the whole world ready to kill us
How do we start to resolve the whole problem
How we let our little children just turn into goblins
Why we got them all killing and stealing and robbing
We need to plan a little seed to prevent the mobbing
Why don't we teach them that science to reach for the stars?
Cause they can beat the fire with the future worst than odds
Don't want them looking in the past and covering scars
They need a path out the ghetto, ghetto, hello!
[Hook:]
It is easy as 1, 2, 3
I wanna be what's on TV
And if that's wrong, please don't blame me
Cause where I live we have nothing
In the ghetto, ghetto, ghetto
In the ghetto, ghetto, ghetto
[Verse 2:]
Little boy had a dream of being a ball player
Cause little homie wanna grow to be a rhyme slayer
Little missy wanna grow to be a model
While the momma at home just drinking out the bottle
How come they don't want to grow to be a councilman?
Senator, a governor, a major politician man
Probably cause the politicians nearly keep on tricking 'em
Promise that they fixing it but they ain't really fixing it
That's why they want to be like me
Like Jigga, like B and Nicky and Ree
Every day in the ghetto is an emergency
But the power that be don't emerge in see
That's why you see killing, that's why you see crimes
That's why you see homies in the prison doing time
That's why you see crack, that's why you see blackstrap
But no access out the ghetto, ghetto
[Hook:]
It is easy as 1, 2, 3
I wanna be what's on TV
And if that's wrong, please don't blame me
Cause where I live we have nothing
In the ghetto, ghetto, ghetto
In the ghetto, ghetto, ghetto
[Outro:]
Ghetto, ghetto
Oh lord!
I've been praying for you
Hallelujah
@ItsFizzyFox
This song randomly came back to mind after hearing it one time...nearly 6 years I'm finally processing how real and deep... almost sad this song is
@YashMishra
Please make a video for this! Its one of my favourite songs, and definitely deserves to be heard more. So real! So beautiful!
@ZweliousStudios234
My fav too
@cynnethiaarmstrong-grice1267
thank u so real
@fvceyoutuber0863
They won't make a video. Besides, that's 5 years from now, and you turned in late just for it. Also, that's just a single off his album #willpower. Not every song needs a music video.
@chrisluke7203
@@fvceyoutuber0863 yeah and it would be impossible because baby kaely is 18 now and she made this in her tween years so since puberty its just not possible
@davidgutierrezescoto.7408
will.i.am es la perfecta combinacion de estilos como rap , pop con un toque unico
@Spazek
This is the best song on this album by far. Maybe will.i.am can one day remember what it's like to have lyrics that matter in his music.
@timothyl4994
I still remember listening to this on the plane then two years later, this is now my ringtone :)
@idahoyer8009
TimothyL I heard it the first time on a plane too😂