Media Spotlight

20 December, 2009 by Jasdeep Kundi

Exclusive Interview with Ghetts
Photography by Adeyinka Adepitan

During the summer's biggest urban event "London Stand Up 2009", I managed to snatch five minutes with a few of the artists lined up to perform that night. As the performances took place I decided to wander around and see what artists I could find.

Backstage was buzzing with some familiar faces, top urban legends and the stars of tomorrow all in one place, I was spoilt for choice.

I must admit I was totally gobsmacked when I spoke to Collin Basta, one of the most influential men in the UK's urban music scene and the manager of the notorious grime artist Ghetts.

When Basta actually gave The I Feel Experience permission to interview Ghetts I was so excited it was a definite bonus to a great and eventful evening.

"Justin Clarke Samuel" better known as "Ghetts" or "Ghetto" grew up in Plaistow, East London. A grime MC and phenomenal artist he is very established within the urban music scene. Formally a member of "Nasty Crew", he has also worked with the likes of Kano and performed alongside him at the BBC Electric Proms.



With his cheeky charm and intelligence it was obvious to me that he is a professional but also someone who is 'real'. This is a rare and special quality to have and I loved every moment of my time spent with him. Ready to scale the heights of the music industry beyond any limitations I had a few questions to ask and wanted to make the most of this opportunity, so I got straight to the point.

How did you make it in the music industry?

Ghetts: You know what; I'm from a place called Newham, being from this area helped. The years 2000 to 2004 were very musical and it was easier to get together with the kids from that area. There wasn't a problem if you were good and talented. I was very good. The Nasty Crew were also from the same area and they were my friends before the music thing which was very helpful for me as it put me on the map; everyone was all ears now so I did what I had to do.

What age would you say you got personally involved with music?

Ghetts: I was nineteen. I love doing what I love, which is listening to and making music so it was the best of both for me.

Did you feel like you needed to have previous knowledge in music and the industry?

Ghetts: I think that music is more of a feeling that you've got to have but along the way I have now learnt the technical side of music. I started to learn a lot more about the industry, such as using PR's, learning how to get your videos onto television channels like MTV Base and Channel U; how to get my music played on radios stations like Kiss FM and Choice FM. These are the skills I have learned and developed over time, how to be seen and heard in the media.

How did you go about that? What did you have to do?

Ghetts: I had to change and develop my attitude and that was the biggest thing.

When I was a kid, I just wanted to spit lyrics and I didn't care about being famous or anything like that. I had a lot of training over the years. If Collin (Ghetts's manager) asked me four and a half years ago to do an interview I wouldn't have agreed to it. Now my vision has changed and maybe it was because I was shy and I didn't really understand the importance of it.

Since the early years, how would you say you have developed as an artist?

Ghetts: I have definitely developed a lot, so much so in the sense that, sometimes when I listen to my music now I realise that some of the lyrics I wrote back then is something I would probably not write now. As you grow and time moves on you adapt as an artist and change for the better.

Who would you like to collaborate with?

Ghetts: Prodigy... I love his music.

And where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Ghetts: Hmmm... this is a very serious question. I do have a goal every year. By the end of this year I'm going to be a millionaire. It's not a secret; it's just down to hard work. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.

"You can do anything if you put your mind to it". Well that works for me and I'm really looking forward to seeing many more great things from Ghetts in the future.