Happy Birthday to Almost Famous Alumni Bettie Grind (Charlotte, NC)
This is one of my favorite MJ songs Heaven Can Wait
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Ghetto
We live in an age of accepted fantasy. In a society where contrived television is labeled “reality TV,” regular people clamor for validation with exaggerated lifestyles on social sites like Twitter and rappers are lauded for creating personas that rival the characters in a graphic novel, artists like Ghetto have a hard time maintaining. Not for lack of talent, but lack of desire to succumb to the illusions.
But despite the madness, Ghetto refuses to bow down.
Born Will Benton in Akron, Ohio, Ghetto’s story is a familiar one. Economically depressed, his environment left much to be desired, but he always strived to rise above the mayhem that often defined his young life.
“I buried myself in music,” he remembers, mentioning that he found Master P to be particularly inspiring. “I stayed out of the way of trouble, and stayed focused.”
That focus led him to explore music outside of the boundaries of Ohio. Although he had already released several mixtapes beginning in 2002, in 2007, Ghetto hooked up with Young Jeezy affiliate, Blood Raw. The two clicked and after collaborating on the gritty track, “It’s Nothing,” their connection eventually led Ghetto to meet DJ Bobby Black.
Immediately impressed with Ghetto’s raw brand of realism, the two would go on to collaborate on several mixtapes—Business Nothing Personal with DJ Fahrenheit, DJ Bobby Black Presents Ghetto: The Plug (2009) and Left for Dead (2010). Collaborating with everyone from Gorilla Zoe to Big Gee and Blood Raw, Ghetto’s forthright lyrical styling has been his main draw. It’s emphasized on his energetic single featuring Princess of Crime Mob, “Look Like Money.”
“My music attracts people from the streets,” he says thoughtfully. “I make music for people who are in the struggle. I understand it, and I speak to that reality.”
With his new project, the astutely titled, Facts Override Good Fiction, also hosted by DJ Bobby Black, he plans to continue in the musical direction he’s paved for himself. Performing throughout the Midwest and southeast, Ghetto’s determined to bring his music to the masses.
“I have a lot to say,” he says. “There may be a lot of bullshit out there right now, but I can’t be concerned about that. I’m focused on making sure that the word ‘real’ actually starts meaning something again.”
Check out this video for Eminem’s single Not Afraid, which will be featured on his upcoming album Recovery! Inspiration!!
Download “Meet Joe” Vol 1
www.joebillz.com
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