The world is a ghetto, just like War said back in the 70s. We live in a global neighborhood, and there are more ghettos in the world than upper class enclaves, sleepy suburban tract homes, or middle class row Houses combined. If you have ever traveled further than your own block, outside of your city, or beyond state lines, you know the deal. Few places on this planet we call earth is this more painfully obvious than The Badlands, formally known as Camden City, New Jersey.
Those who reside there know this to be true. The Badlands, like any other urban inner city, is the birthplace of gettin' up, gettin' out, and gettin' somethin'. And while the residents of Camden dream of equality, although different from the popular notion of the AmeriKKKan dream, these dreams center around ideas of a level playing field and an equal opportunity for all brethren, regardless of class, education, or the amount of Benjamins lining the pockets of their pants.
Camden is a place where the reality of ghetto life means reconciling conflicting truths on a daily basis. In the blink of an eye, parks become battlegrounds and basketball games beget brawls. Where your man who speaks about opening a business rises off of the porch to serve the fiend on the corner his daily fix of rock, weed, or whatever other street pharmaceutical is needed. Where shots ring out on summer nights, settling arguments, once again summoning peace. Camden is about reality - a reality that Uncle Sham doesn't want the rest of the world to see. Representing this reality in its truest form is DAVE GHETTO. Here to dispute ignorance in forms spoken, musical, theoretical, metaphysical, scientific, physical, factual, and emotional.
Dave Ghetto (then known as AZ-IZ) stepped on the scene in 1998 with his group Nuthouse, with their release "A LUV SUPREAM" on Bobbito Garcias Fondle 'Em imprint. After various performances and radio appearances, the group followed up with their Goodvibe Recordings debut EP "DEEZ NUTZ". Since then, he has performed and recorded with the likes of Bahamadia, Slum Village, Jazzy Jeff, Mystic, De La Soul, Little Brother and more... With the release of various 12 inches as well as projects like "LoveLife?" and the "Almost Famous" mixtape Dave has carved himself a very significant niche in HIP-HOP, bringing with him something sorely lacking in this culture - clarity, an abiding love for their people, and all things GHETTO.
Quotes
"Dave Ghetto is street, lyrical, floetic, and brings me home to the game naturally"
Fat Joe
Dave Ghetto is simply the truth...this is what hip hop needs...dope beat wit dope lyrics...this went into my rotation from day 1
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Dave Ghetto is one of the flyest emcees I know. Some rappers (like Jigga & Mos) are just soooo natural and Dave is definitely one of those emcees. Whether hes uplifting the young cats with one of his classic stories or just making a party jam hes always so finesse about it. I wish hip hop had more emcees like Dave!!! -
Jack Splash of Plantlife
Dave Ghetto is part of what's good with Hip-Hop. It's been a long time coming but he has arrived with styles that remind me why I love this craft.-
Mystic
"Dave Ghetto is just that ghetto well more the intellectual thug type with a twist of B- Boy in him for sure. Ah yeah frit-esh." - Bahamadia
"Dave Ghetto is one of those rare emcees that can take the everyday occurences of life and make them sound prolific on wax. He may not be "gangsta," but Dave is real talk." -
Rashaun Hall