Ghetto (Kelly Rowland song)

Last updated
"Ghetto"
Ghetto (song).jpg
Single by Kelly Rowland featuring Snoop Dogg
from the album Ms. Kelly
ReleasedAugust 7, 2007 (2007-08-07)
Studio Hit Factory Criteria (Miami, Florida)
Length2:55
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Tank
Kelly Rowland singles chronology
"Like This"
(2007)		"Ghetto"
(2007)		"Work"
(2008)
Snoop Dogg singles chronology
"Speaker"
(2007)		"Ghetto"
(2007)		"Sensual Seduction"
(2007)

"Ghetto" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland, featuring vocals by rapper Snoop Dogg. It was written by Durrell "Tank" Babbs, Calvin Broadus, Lonny Bereal and Rowland, and produced by the former for Rowland's second solo album Ms. Kelly (2007). A mid-paced R&B ballad which was originally recorded for her shelved My Story album, "Ghetto" is influenced by the Crunk&B subgenre. Its instrumentation consists essentially of synthesizers and a drum machine rhythm and lyrically, finds Rowland, as the protagonist, singing sensually in her whistle register about becoming attracted to dangerous men.

Contents

One of Rowland's favorites on Ms. Kelly, "Ghetto" was released as the album's second single to US radios on August 7, 2007, while "Work" was serviced as the album's second international single. The song performed weakly on the Billboard charts, reaching number nine on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart only, [1] ranking it among Rowland's lowest-selling single to date. [1] An accompanying music video, directed by Andrew Gura, was shot in Los Angeles, California in August 2007. It features cameo appearances from rappers MC Eiht, Kam, and Soopafly and depicts hip hop fashion and ghetto fabulous aesthetics.

Recording

The song is one out of two recordings singer and songwriter Tank and partner Joseph "Lonny" Bereal produced for the album. [2] One of her favorites on the album, Rowland has described "Ghetto" as "about good girls who dig bad boys," adding: "As soon as Tank played it, I knew and recorded it in an hour. [It] is just so laid back and that's why I had to have Snoop [Dogg]." [3] Originally recorded without Snoop Dogg for the delayed 2006 My Story album, it was not until months prior to the Ms. Kelly release, that the rapper was consulted to contribute additional vocals to the track. [2] "He's the King of Cool, so I was honoured when he said yes to do the record. It was like a dream come true," Rowland stated in an interview with Blue & Soul in 2007. [4] "He [just] put his Snoop-a-fied player-isms on the track [...] He just gives it that something. I like it when a song can make you feel good." [3] [5]

Critical reception

"Ghetto" earned generally mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. Sal Cinquemani from Slant felt that "Rowland displays her range on midtempo cut [...] “Ghetto,” a slinky track featuring a smooth, sensual vocal from the singer." [6] Spence D. of media website IGN observed that "the high pitched nuances [on Ms. Kelly] continue on "Ghetto," featuring the ubiquitous Snoop Dogg. Rowland adopts a wispy timbre that is sensual in a fleeting way, but the track is again amped up with too much high end sound, making it more cloying than immersive." [7] San Francisco Chronicle remarked that "Ghetto" has "Rowland exploring the increasingly common theme of a good girl falling for a bad boy. Her cotton-candy mezzo tones are easy to digest." [8] Mark Edward Nero from About.com found that "Ghetto" was the worst of the "many weak songs" on Ms. Kelly, concluding that "it's laugh-out-loud ridiculous, particularly with Kelly singing contrived, out-of-character lines." [9] CBS News called the song "sexy and seductive" [10]

Commercial performance

Released in North America only, "Ghetto" went for radio ads in August 2007 and was added by about twenty-eight urban contemporary stations and very few rhythmic contemporary stations. On September 1, 2007, it debuted on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart at number nine which is equivalent to number 109 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [1] "Ghetto" neither managed to climb any higher on that particular chart, nor made it to any other official chart. Although Rowland noted that it was her decision to pick the track as the album's second single, she somewhat regretted to release it retrospectively and opted to have it removed from the international deluxe edition reissue of Ms. Kelly. [11]

Music video

Snoop Dogg appears in the video to "Ghetto". Snoop Dogg 2023 (53775197331) (cropped).jpg
Snoop Dogg appears in the video to "Ghetto".

An accompanying music video for "Ghetto" was directed by Andrew Gura and filmed in Los Angeles, California on August 23, 2007. [5] Next to Rowland and Snoop Dogg, rappers MC Eiht, Kam, and Soopafly make cameo appearances in the visual. [5] Production on the video was helmed by Partizan Entertainment, with Melissa Larsen serving as producer. [12] Main camera was operated by Shawn Kim, while editing was overseen by T. David Binns. [12] Special effect were provided by Laundy. [12] Displaying hip hop fashion and ghetto fabulous aesthetics, the video depicts Rowland and Snoop Dogg dancing and performing in front of different lowriders, intercut by animated solo performances of Rowland. [12] When asked about the conception of the video, Rowland elaborated: "It's ghetto. It's really fly. I feel like everybody has some sort of element of ghetto in them. Think about it. Right? Wouldn't you say so? And everyone knows what the ghetto is." [5]

The video world premiered at the end of the September 10, 2007 episode of BET's television series Access Granted . [13] In his review for Videostatic, editor Craig Belcher wrote: "Rowland gets hoodcentric with this tribute to the rough life with Snoop Dogg as the guest rapper and the object of her lyrical affections. If she was looking to shed her good-girl image [...] this video certainly puts her in a different light. Rowland gyrates as dreamy images of street culture drift behind her, including 24 inch rims, platinum jewelry, golden grills [...] All that's missing is a bag of sunflower seeds and strawberry soda." [12]

Track listings

All tracks written by Tank, Lonny Bereal, Snoop Dogg, and Kelly Rowland. [14]

Promotional single
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Ghetto" (Junior Vasquez & Gomi's Jazzy radio mix)
3:29
2."Ghetto" (Junior Vasquez & Gomi's Jazzy main mix)
7:56
3."Ghetto" (Junior Vasquez In Da Club mix)
  • Tank
  • Vasquez [a]
9:52
4."Ghetto" (Junior Vasquez In Da Dub mix)
  • Tank
  • Vasquez [a]
8:07
5."Ghetto" (Junior Vasquez & Gomi's Jazzy Radio TV track)
8:23
6."Ghetto" (Junior Vasquez & Gomi's Jazzy Main TV track)
7:56

Notes

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Ms. Kelly . [14]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Ghetto"
Chart (2007)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles ( Billboard ) [1] 9

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Ghetto"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesAugust 7, 2007

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Quik</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1968)

David Marvin Blake, better known by his stage names DJ Quik or Da Quiksta, is an American rapper and record producer from Compton, California, known for his production in the G-funk style of West Coast hip-hop. Blake has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Tupac, Chingy, R. Kelly and Shaquille O'Neal, among others. As a recording artist himself, he is perhaps best known for his 1991 single "Tonite", which within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Blake's stage name refers to his ability of producing songs in a short period of time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drop It Like It's Hot</span> 2004 single by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell

"Drop It Like It's Hot" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg, featuring American singer, rapper and musician Pharrell Williams. It was released on September 27, 2004, as the lead single from Snoop Dogg's seventh studio album, R&G : The Masterpiece (2004). The song was produced by Williams alongside Chad Hugo as the Neptunes. It is regarded as an iconic song, with Snoop performing the chorus and the second and third verses while Pharrell performs the first verse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fredwreck</span> Musical artist

Farid Karam Nassar, better known by his stage name Fredwreck, is an American hip-hop recording artist, DJ, and record producer. He got his big break when he became a producer for Dr. Dre's newly founded record label Aftermath Entertainment, and then went on to work with Snoop Dogg's record label Dogghouse Records and became a known producer on Tha Dogg Pound-affiliated material. During this time he also was a producer for Snoop Dogg's track: Riders on the Storm ft. The Doors on EA's Need for Speed Underground 2. He has produced tracks from Kurupt's Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha and most of his next release, Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey; both released during the period the rapper had left Death Row Records. He has also produced for other hip-hop and pop artists such as Eminem, Britney Spears, Ice Cube, Westside Connection, Lil' Kim, Hilary Duff, Xzibit, The Game, Nate Dogg, Everlast, Cypress Hill, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, as well as non-US acts such as Dizzee Rascal, Tamer Hosny, Qusai Kheder and Karl Wolf.

<i>Bigg Snoop Dogg Presents... Welcome to tha Chuuch: Da Album</i> 2005 compilation album by Snoop Dogg

Bigg Snoop Dogg Presents... Welcome to tha Chuuch: Da Album is a compilation album by Snoop Dogg and various artists. It was released on December 13, 2005 by Doggy Style Records and Koch Records. The "Save Tookie" version of the single "Real Soon", by the DPGC featuring Jamie Foxx, was available to download for free on Doggystyle Records website. It features the reunited Tha Dogg Pound and the comeback for The Lady of Rage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Azz (rapper)</span> American rapper (1975–2019)

Jamarr Antonio Stamps, better known by his stage name Bad Azz, was an American rapper and member of hip-hop collective D.P.G.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurupt</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1972)

Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, better known by his stage name Kurupt, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he formed Tha Dogg Pound in 1992 along with Daz Dillinger; the rap duo has released eight albums. He also formed the hip hop group The Hrsmn in 1996, with whom he has released two albums. His debut solo album, Kuruption! (1998) was released by A&M Records and peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.

<i>Ms. Kelly</i> 2007 studio album by Kelly Rowland

Ms. Kelly is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Kelly Rowland. It was released on June 20, 2007, through Columbia Records in collaboration with Music World Entertainment. Originally titled My Story and expected for a mid-2006 release, the album marked Rowland's first solo studio album in four years. Retitled and delayed numerous times prior to its official release, the album's release date was eventually moved to 2007 in favor of a multi-tiered marketing strategy and additional recording sessions. Willed to produce a more personal effort after her debut studio album Simply Deep (2002), Rowland contributed nine tracks to the reworked Ms. Kelly, which took her solo work further into urban music markets, involving production by Scott Storch, Polow da Don, Soulshock & Karlin and singer Tank, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">From tha Chuuuch to da Palace</span> 2002 single by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams

"From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg featuring fellow American rapper Pharrell Williams from the former's sixth studio album Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$ (2002). Produced by The Neptunes, it contains re-sung elements from "Contagious" performed by The Isley Brothers. The song lyrics reference their lead singer Ron Isley. The music video was directed by Diane Martel and includes cameo appearances by Tony Cox, Tommy Davidson, Lauren London and rappers Soopafly, Goldie Loc, Uncle Junebug, Daz Dillinger and Warren G. The video includes Pharrell wearing make up to look like Bill Gates. The song was featured in the films Malibu's Most Wanted & 50 First Dates and video game MTV Music Generator 3.

<i>Based on a True Story</i> (Mack 10 album) 1997 studio album by Mack 10

Based on a True Story is the second solo studio album by American rapper Mack 10. It was released on September 16, 1997, through Priority Records. The album was produced by Ant Banks, Binky Mack, DJ Bobcat, Young Tre, Ice Cube, Soopafly, and Mack 10. It features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Allfrumtha I, E-40, Snoop Dogg, the Comrads, and Too $hort. The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200, number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 21, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like This (Kelly Rowland song)</span> 2007 single by Kelly Rowland

"Like This" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland, featuring vocals by rapper Eve. Recorded late into the production of Rowland's second solo album Ms. Kelly (2007), the song was released on March 13, 2007, as the lead single from the album. The artists co-wrote the song with its producers Sean Garrett, Polow da Don, Blac Elvis, and Jason Perry, with additional production from S-Dot. "Like This" is a R&B song, with its lyrics referring to a woman growing out of a past relationship.

The discography of American recording artist Nate Dogg consists of three studio albums, one compilation album, one collaboration album, 5 singles as the main artist, and 37 singles as a featured artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sensual Seduction</span> 2007 single by Snoop Dogg

"Sensual Seduction", also known as "Sexual Eruption", is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 20, 2007 as the first single of his ninth studio album Ego Trippin', with the record label Geffen Records. The song was produced by Shawty Redd. Snoop Dogg sings the majority of the song using Auto-Tune. The video's style visually references the style of Roger Troutman, as part of its retro imagery.

<i>Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe</i> 2008 EP by Kelly Rowland

Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe is the debut extended play (EP) by American singer Kelly Rowland. It was released on March 18, 2008, through Columbia Records in collaboration with Music World Entertainment and Sony BMG Music Entertainment. A digital-only collection of new songs and previously unreleased remixes, it became available exclusively through major online digital music providers. Initially planned to be included on a reissue of Rowland's second solo album, Ms. Kelly (2007), she announced that the eight tracks would be included on a standalone release. A deluxe edition of the original album, entitled Ms. Kelly Deluxe, was released on May 7, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lay Low (Snoop Dogg song)</span> 2001 single by Snoop Dogg featuring Master P, Nate Dogg, Butch Cassidy, and Tha Eastsidaz

"Lay Low" is the second single from Snoop Dogg's fifth studio album Tha Last Meal, released in March 2001. It features then-labelmate Master P, Nate Dogg, Butch Cassidy, and Tha Eastsidaz. It was produced by Dr. Dre and Mike Elizondo. The song received solid airplay and was featured on Snoop Dogg's Greatest Hits. The video features cameo appearances from Tha Dogg Pound's Kurupt and Soopafly. It was also directed by Hype Williams. The concept of the video has a mafia-like approach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Play House</span> 1995 single by Tha Dogg Pound featuring Michelle

"Let's Play House" is a song by hip hop duo Tha Dogg Pound featuring Michel'le. The song is the second single released from their debut album Dogg Food. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Michel'le make appearances in both the song and the video. The song begins with a spoken intro from Dr. Dre.

Joseph Alonzo "Lonny" Bereal Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. His 2011 debut single, "Favor" was a duet with singer Kelly Rowland, for whom he was originally a backing vocalist. Despite the song's commercial underperformance, Bereal shifted focus onto songwriting work for other R&B acts including Ariana Grande, Keri Hilson, Tank, Omarion, Jamie Foxx and Chris Brown—the latter of whom most extensively since 2007. In 2018, he executive produced Snoop Dogg's gospel album Bible of Love, released in March of that year. He was also a member of Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Favor (Lonny Bereal song)</span> 2011 single by Lonny Bereal featuring , Kelly Rowland

"Favor" is a song by American recording artist Lonny Bereal, featuring guest vocals from American singer Kelly Rowland. Originally recorded by Chris Brown and Teyana Taylor, it was released by Notifi Music Group as the lead single from his debut album The Love Train on May 17, 2011. "Favor" debuted at number 85 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<i>Doggumentary</i> 2011 studio album by Snoop Dogg

Doggumentary is the eleventh studio album by American West Coast hip hop recording artist Snoop Dogg. It was released on March 29, 2011 on the Priority Records record label. The album was produced by Battlecat, The Cataracs, Gorillaz, David Banner, THX, DJ Khalil, Fredwreck, Jake One, David Guetta, Mike Dean, Jeff Bhasker, Lex Luger, Meech Wells, Mr. Porter, Rick Rock, Rick Rude, Scoop DeVille, Scott Storch, Warryn Campbell, Kanye West, DJ Reflex, among others.

Maurice "Verse" Simmonds is a Puerto Rican / Virgin Islander rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and record executive. Based in Los Angeles but raised in the Virgin Islands, he moved to the United States after high school and he formed the production duo the Jugganauts in the 1990s. The duo has since co-written and produced tracks such as "Man Down" by Rihanna and "Who Gon Stop Me" by Kanye West and Jay-Z, both of which charted prominently on Billboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doggfather</span> 1997 single by Snoop Doggy Dogg featuring Charlie Wilson

"Doggfather" is a single by American rapper Snoop Dogg featuring vocals by American musician Charlie Wilson. It was released on April 8, 1997 as the third and final single from Snoop's second album Tha Doggfather (1996). Daz Dillinger produced "Doggfather", and wrote it with Snoop Doggy Dogg and Charlie Wilson. The hip hop song samples "Humpin'" from Wilson's group The Gap Band. "Doggfather" didn't chart in the US, but peaked at number 20 in both New Zealand and the UK.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Single (2007-09-01)". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  2. 1 2 MTV Staff (2006-04-07). "For The Record: Quick News On Ciara, Bow Wow, Ozzy Osbourne, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Rowland, JoJo & More". MTV News . Archived from the original on April 11, 2006. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  3. 1 2 "Kelly Rowland Biography". Take40. Archived from the original on 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  4. ↑ Chaundy, Joanna (2007-07-07). "Kelly Rowland: Single Black Female". Blue & Soul. Archived from the original on 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Rodriguez, Jayson (2007-08-27). "Kelly Rowland Talks Snoop-Enhanced 'Ghetto' — And Destiny's Child Reunion?". MTV News . Archived from the original on August 26, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  6. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (July 3, 2007). "Kelly Rowland: Ms. Kelly – Music Review". Slant Magazine . Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  7. ↑ Spence D. "Destiny's Child ex-pat serves up routine contemporary R&B". IGN. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  8. ↑ "CD REVIEWS". San Francisco Chronicle . July 1, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  9. ↑ Nero, Mark Edward (April 28, 2011). "Kelly Rowland – Ms. Kelly". Randb.about.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ "BuzzCuts: New Music". CBS News . July 3, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Kelly Rowland Speaks To Top DC Fansite". That Grape Juice. 2008-05-18. Archived from the original on 2009-04-18. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Gottlieb, Steven (September 27, 2007). "NEW RELEASE: Kelly Rowland "Ghetto"". videostatic.com. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ Gottlieb, Steven (2007-08-09). "BOOKED: Kelly Rowland f/ Snoop Dogg – Andrew Gura, director". Video Static. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
  14. 1 2 Ms. Kelly (liner notes). Kelly Rowland. Columbia Records. 2007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ "Available For Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Urban". Radio & Records . August 7, 2007. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.