United Kingdom 
New signing: Ghetts
11 years ago
Ghetts has cultivated a career as a founding artist in grime, lauded for his lyrical ability and consistent evolution within the music industry.
Mallet London enlisted Ghetts to celebrate 'Local Legends' for their Fall/Winter 2023 campaign, also featuring fellow UK rap star, Berna.
Ghetts partnered with Puma to launch 'Suede Music,' recruiting two emerging Black rappers from his hometown of Newham to record a new track.
Following his 'Life Is Not A Spectator Sport' campaign debut, HYPEBEAST spoke with Ghetts about his love for authentic items in relation to the Reebok Classic Leather.
G-Shock selected Ghetts to deliver two live music gigs at the watch brand's east London store as part of their G-Shock Sessions.
Justin Jude Clarke-Samuel, known professionally as Ghetts, was born on October 9, 1984, in Plaistow, London. His early career began in the mid-2000s, emerging from the burgeoning grime scene. He was initially a member of the grime collective N.A.S.T.Y. Crew before co-founding The Movement, a group that included artists like Devlin and Wretch 32. Ghetts released his first mixtape, ‘2000 & Life,’ in 2005 after being released from prison. This period established his reputation for impactful lyrics and set the foundation for his distinct style in the grime genre. His collaboration with Kano on the album ‘Home Sweet Home’ in 2004, including the video for ‘Typical Me,’ further cemented his presence in the early grime landscape.
His artistic development continued with the release of ‘Ghetto Gospel’ in 2007, a mixtape that showcased a more introspective and varied approach to his music, moving beyond the aggressive style he was initially known for. This project included tracks reflecting on personal relationships and demonstrated his versatility. In 2008, he released ‘Freedom of Speech,’ which many fans consider a classic grime mixtape due to its raw and aggressive content. Over the years, Ghetts consistently released mixtapes, including ‘The Calm Before the Storm’ in 2010. His debut studio album, ‘Rebel with a Cause,’ was released in 2014 via Disrupt, a significant milestone after years of underground success.
Ghetts’ career progression has been marked by critical acclaim and a consistent output of work. His 2018 album, ‘Ghetto Gospel: The New Testament,’ continued his legacy, featuring artists such as Kojey Radical and Little Simz. In 2021, he achieved his highest chart position with ‘Conflict of Interest,’ which reached number 2 on the Official Albums Charts and received strong positive reviews, showcasing his continued relevance and artistic growth. His talent was recognized with a Mobo Pioneer award, acknowledging his contributions to grime and his journey from pirate radio and underground raves to mainstream recognition. In 2024, Ghetts co-curated the London Literature Festival, highlighting the connection between rap and poetry.
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