Ghetto Baby

Last updated

"Ghetto Baby"
Song by Cheryl
from the album A Million Lights
RecordedFebruary 2012
Genre Hip hop
Length2:49
Label Fascination
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"Ghetto Baby" is a song by English singer and songwriter Cheryl for her third studio album A Million Lights (2012). The hip hop-inspired song was written by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey, Roy Kerr and Anu Pillai, with production helmed by the latter two under the name Kid Gloves. Music critics were divided in their response to "Ghetto Baby", stating that the track is a highlight on the album, despite Cole sounding too much like Del Rey. An accompanying music video was directed by Rankin, and features Cole and her then boyfriend and back-up dancer Tre Holloway indulging in a public display of affection while performing the track. "Ghetto Baby" was performed on Cole's debut headlining solo concert tour, named A Million Lights Tour, in October 2012.

Contents

Background and composition

Lana Del Rey wrote the song "Ghetto Baby" for the album. Lana del Rey.jpg
Lana Del Rey wrote the song "Ghetto Baby" for the album.

Cole began working on her third studio album in July 2011 at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles, California. [1] In May 2012, the singer confirmed that American recording artist Lana Del Rey had collaborated on a track for A Million Lights . In an interview with Capital FM, Cole stated that she had noticed Del Rey "about a year ago. I was hearing these songs that were really fresh to my ear and amazing and I asked the guy who she was and he said, 'Watch out for her, it's a girl called Lana Del Rey'." [2] The singer explained that she was played another one of Del Rey's tracks and loved it so much, that it eventually led to a collaboration. "It all happened really organically just like that. And then 'Video Games' came out and I fell in love with her as an artist as well, so yeah, she's super talented." [2] Del Rey had penned the song, which was cut from her second studio album, Born to Die . [3] [4] On 28 May 2012, Cole tweeted a few lyrics of the song: "I'm not a trick boy I'm a trick for you, you give me butterflies heart skipping 1, 2, I know your sick boy I wanna get the flu (sic)... I'm running temperatures thinking of your love boo..", adding the hashtag "#ghettobaby." [5] "Ghetto Baby", produced by Kid Gloves, is a hip hop track. [6] Written by Elizabeth Grant, Roy Kerr and Anu Pillai, the song's lyrics were considered by Laurence Green of musicOMH "classic Lana Del Rey"; a beat-heavy number "woven from kisses, stilettos and sultry speak-singing," [7] with lines such as "When he's bad he's bad / But when he's good no one's better / Cos we're a match made in heaven / And this kind of love's forever." [8] A MTV news writer said that the track is "riddled with elements of the New York singer, with Cheryl even displaying Lana-esque vocals." [9] "Ghetto Baby" was released on 15 June 2012, [10] while Del Rey's demo leaked online on 9 August 2012. [11]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic deemed it as one of the album's highlights, but stated that, on many tracks from A Million Lights such as "Ghetto Baby" and "Under the Sun", "Cheryl doesn't stamp these sounds with her own personality; she merely tries the personas on for size, not so much to see if they fit, but rather to see which ones will allow her entry into the charts." [12] A Virgin Media reviewer said that, on the song, Cole "sounds exactly what she is – a plucky disco diva," [13] while an Idolator contributor stated that the track was not right for the singer, because it "sounds so much like a Lana Del Rey cut that we just can't help but feel that Lana herself should be singing it. ... Cheryl's voice isn't 'ghetto' (or babyish) enough to pull off these lyrics — and love her or hate her, Lana's voice is distinctive enough to at least make you take notice. Not to mention the most ghetto thing about this song is the dated 'Drop It Like It's Hot' reference." [14] Elena Gorgan of Softpedia considered "Ghetto Baby" a solid song, despite being "less dance-inspired" than the other tracks on the album, "which could mean it never sees the light of day as a single." [15] When reviewing A Million Lights, Alexis Petridis said the song "is actually the handiwork of Lana Del Rey, who, in a volte-face designed to confound critics who've noted that all her songs are about exactly the same thing – doomed love for a beautiful bad boy on the run – has alighted on the radical new topic of her doomed love for a beautiful bad boy on the run." [16]

Music video

An accompanying music video was uploaded to Cole's VEVO on 25 December 2012 and was directed by Rankin, who thanked Cole for "such an ace collaboration. It's always fun." [17] Prior to the release on Christmas, the singer tweeted all day on 24 December 2012 the hashtag "#CCandRankinMidnight." [18] On 25 December 2012, at midnight GMT, she revealed the music video for "Ghetto Baby", adding that she loved working with the director so much "that I did this exclusively for him." [18]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Nowels</span> American songwriter and record producer

Richard Wright Nowels Jr. is an American songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and arranger. He has co-written and co-produced over 90 hit singles with multiple artists and albums his songs have appeared on have sold over 250 million copies. In 2020, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Del Rey</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1985)

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, with frequent references to contemporary pop culture and 1950s–1960s Americana. She is the recipient of various accolades, including two Brit Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, and a Satellite Award, in addition to nominations for six Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Variety honored her at their Hitmakers Awards for being "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Born to Die (song)</span> 2011 single by Lana Del Rey

"Born to Die" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her debut studio album of the same name. The song was released as the singer's second single on December 30, 2011, through Interscope Records. Musically, "Born to Die" is a pop and trip hop ballad that speaks of a doomed relationship. Critics noted that it features apocalyptic lyrics and strings similar to John Barry compositions. It received a mixed to positive reception from contemporary critics, who praised the song's cinematic arrangement and haunting vocal performance by Del Rey. In 2019, Billboard included the song as one of the 100 songs that defined the 2010s, adding that it influenced "a sonic shift that completely changed the pop landscape". In the United Kingdom, "Born to Die" became Del Rey's second top 10 single, when it peaked at No. 9 for the week ending February 4, 2012.

<i>Born to Die</i> 2012 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Born to Die is the second studio album and major-label debut by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on January 27, 2012, through Interscope Records and Polydor Records. The album was reissued on November 9, 2012, as an expanded version, subtitled The Paradise Edition.

<i>A Million Lights</i> 2012 studio album by Cheryl

A Million Lights is the third studio album by English singer Cheryl, released on 15 June 2012 through Fascination Records. Following her divorce from Ashley Cole, this is Cheryl's first album to be released under the mononym Cheryl, dropping her married surname. The album was recorded in 2011 and 2012. As the executive producer of the album, Cheryl enlisted a variety of producers such as Alex da Kid, Calvin Harris, will.i.am, Pantha, Agent X, HyGrade, Dada Life, Jim Beanz, Taio Cruz, Mathias Wollo, The Beamer Boyz, Billy Wes, Electric, Bibi Jones and Dave Munday. Sonically, the album is rooted in dance-pop and pop genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Under the Sun (Cheryl song)</span> 2012 single by Cheryl

"Under the Sun" is a song recorded by English singer Cheryl, from her third studio album A Million Lights (2012). The song was released as the second and final single from A Million Lights on 2 September 2012 through Fascination Records. It was written and produced by Alex da Kid, with additional writing from Mike Del Rio, Jayson DeZuzio, Steven Battey, Carlos Battey, and Cheryl. Lyrically, it speaks of a male telling a female anything she wants to hear to get his way. "Under the Sun" is a mid-tempo song with piano riffs, sun-kissed breakbeats, and a pop chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summertime Sadness</span> Lana Del Rey song

"Summertime Sadness" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). The pop ballad was released on June 22, 2012, by Interscope Records as the fourth single of the album. In the spring of 2013, "Summertime Sadness" reached number one in Poland, Ukraine and Armenia. Charting across Europe, the single reached the top ten in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Trap and house remixes of "Summertime Sadness" helped Del Rey break into the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. That chart is where Del Rey's song became a modest hit and marked her first foray into the chart. On the accompanied Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, the single gave Del Rey her first US number-one single in August 2013.

Sirens is an unreleased demo album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, under the pseudonym May Jailer. It was recorded in 2006, making it her earliest full-length album. The entire project was leaked through YouTube on May 31, 2012.

"Screw You" is a song recorded by English recording artist Cheryl and British hip hop artist Wretch 32 for the former's third studio album A Million Lights (2012). "Screw You" was produced by Hy-Grade and written by Megan Nicolle Thomaston, Kingsley Brown, Daniel Traynor and Wretch 32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2012 song by Lana Del Rey

"Ride" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third extended play (EP), Paradise (2012). The song was written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker, while produced by Rick Rubin, the song served as the reissue's first single on September 25, 2012 through Interscope Records. "Ride" is a ballad that thematically involves parental problems, alcohol consumption, and loneliness. The cover for the song depicts Del Rey on a tire swing, wearing cowboy boots and a denim jacket.

<i>Paradise</i> (Lana Del Rey EP) 2012 EP by Lana Del Rey

Paradise is the third EP by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on November 9, 2012 in Australasia and November 11, 2012 worldwide by Polydor & Interscope. It was additionally packaged with the reissue of her second studio album, Born to Die (2012), titled Born to Die: The Paradise Edition. Del Rey enlisted collaborators including producers Rick Nowels, Justin Parker and Rick Rubin. The EP's sound has been described as baroque pop and trip hop.

<i>Ultraviolence</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Ultraviolence is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, released on June 13, 2014, by Polydor and Interscope Records. Originally dismissing the possibility of releasing another record after her major-label debut Born to Die (2012), Del Rey began planning its follow-up in 2013. Production continued into 2014, at which time she heavily collaborated with Dan Auerbach to revamp what she initially considered to be the completed record. The album saw additional contributions from producers such as Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, Daniel Heath, and Rick Nowels, and features a more guitar-based sound than Del Rey's previous releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Coast (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2014 single by Lana Del Rey

"West Coast" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her third studio album, Ultraviolence (2014). Written by Del Rey and Rick Nowels, it is a melancholy love song about a woman torn between love and ambition, and as a dedication to the West Coast of the United States. A psychedelic rock and soft rock ballad, "West Coast" was noted to be an evolution and more guitar-orientated in sound for Del Rey and was produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Described as a two-in-one song, its shifting tempo transitions downward by nearly 60 beats per minute at the chorus, in a rhythmical shift reminiscent of the Beatles' "We Can Work It Out" (1965), introduced by the guitar lick that begins the Beatles' "And I Love Her" (1964). In the song, Del Rey's vocal comprises a more sensual and demented tone than in her previous discography, and are often sung in an anxious "breathy" style.

<i>Only Human</i> (Cheryl album) 2014 studio album by Cheryl

Only Human is the fourth studio album by English singer Cheryl. It was released on 7 November 2014, through Polydor Records. Following a slew of media invasion, Cheryl took a one-year hiatus from music. Following her hiatus, Cheryl confirmed that Girls Aloud would reunite and release a greatest hits compilation. After its release, the group embarked on their last tour and announced their permanent split. In July 2013 Cheryl began recording Only Human; the recording was later completed in August 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Care (Cheryl song)</span> 2014 single by Cheryl

"I Don't Care" is a song recorded by English recording artist Cheryl from her fourth studio album, Only Human (2014). It was co-written by Jocke Åhlund, Bonnie McKee, John Stuart Newman and Cheryl, and was produced by Åhlund and Oliver "Oligee" Goldstein. The song was released on 2 November 2014 through Polydor Records as the second single from the album. Musically, "I Don't Care" is a pop and dance song, which features breezy synthesizers and pumping bassline and lyrically sees Cheryl taking on a dismissive attitude to former lovers and critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Del Rey videography</span> Videography

American singer, director and occasional actress Lana Del Rey has appeared in 54 music videos, one documentary film, six short films, seven magazine films, and three commercials, as well as directing a bulk of her work. Del Rey's first appearance was in the short film Poolside (2010) as Lisa, a rich girl who spends her days smoking cigarettes by the pool. She received top billing for the project. Del Rey then went on to write the treatment for two music films, Ride (2012) and Tropico (2013), which were directed by Anthony Mandler. In 2015, Del Rey served as the executive producer of the film Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston?. She then made appearances as a performer in Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen and in The King as herself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lust for Life (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2017 single by Lana Del Rey featuring the Weeknd

"Lust for Life" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey featuring Canadian singer the Weeknd. The song was written by the artists, Rick Nowels, and Max Martin and produced by Del Rey, Nowels, Dean Reid and Kieron Menzies. Martin handled the additional production. It was released on April 19, 2017, through Polydor Records and Interscope Records, as the second single from her fifth studio album of the same name (2017). A dream pop and bubblegum pop song, "Lust for Life" is reminiscent of 1960s music, especially from girl groups like the Shangri-Las and the Angels; the latter's 1963 song "My Boyfriend's Back" is referenced in the lyrics. It also quotes the poem "Invictus" by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903).

References

  1. "Cheryl Cole working on new album in Los Angeles". STV. STV Group. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Cheryl Cole Teases Lana Del Rey Collaboration". MTV. MTV Networks. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  3. Bain, Becky (9 August 2012). "Who Did "Ghetto Baby" Better: Lana Del Rey Or Cheryl Cole?". Idolator . Buzz Media. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  4. Copsey, Robert (9 August 2012). "Lana Del Rey's version of Cheryl Cole's 'Ghetto Baby' leaks". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines . Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  5. Sperling, Daniel (28 May 2012). "Cheryl Cole tweets lyrics for 'A Million Lights' track 'Ghetto Baby'?". Digital Spy . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  6. Fox, Al (18 June 2012). "Cheryl A Million Lights Review". BBC Music. BBC . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  7. Green, Laurence (18 June 2012). "Cheryl - A Million Lights". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  8. Gentry, Colin (18 June 2012). "News: Cheryl Cole - Ghetto Baby". 4Music. Box Television . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  9. "Cheryl - 'A Million Lights' First Listen!". MTV. MTV Networks. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  10. "Ghetto Baby: Cheryl: MP3 Downloads". Amazon UK. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  11. Bain, Becky (9 August 2012). "Who Did "Ghetto Baby" Better: Lana Del Rey Or Cheryl Cole?". Idolator. Buzz Media . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  12. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (19 June 2012). "A Million Lights - Cheryl Cole". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  13. "Cheryl: A Million Lights Album Review". Virgin Media. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  14. Alexander, X (15 June 2012). "Cheryl Cole Is A "Ghetto Baby" In New Lana Del Rey-Penned Song". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  15. Gorgan, Elena (16 June 2012). "Cheryl Cole Unveils New Song, "Ghetto Baby"". Softpedia . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  16. Petridis, Alexis (14 June 2012). "Cheryl Cole: A Million Lights – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  17. Goodacre, Kate (25 December 2012). "Cheryl Cole, Rankin join forces for 'Ghetto Baby' video - watch now". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  18. 1 2 Roper, Kerri-Ann (25 December 2012). "Cheryl Cole releases Ghetto Baby with Tre Holloway". MSN. Microsoft. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  19. A Million Lights liner notes. Fascination Records (2012)