"In the Ghetto" is a song by American rap duo Eric B. & Rakim. It was released on September 29, 1990, as the second single of their third studio album Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em, which was released by MCA Records. It was written and produced by Eric B. & Rakim themselves.
| "In the Ghetto" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Eric B. & Rakim | ||||
| from the album Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em | ||||
| Released | September 29, 1990 | |||
| Length | 4:22 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Eric B. & Rakim singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "In the Ghetto" on YouTube | ||||
The song was also produced by Large Professor, despite being uncredited.[1][2][3]
Background
editRakim wrote the song after his father passed away and he viewed it as a conscious record.
I was going through a lot at that time, man. Pops passed away, and I was at the point where I ain’t know if rap made sense at that time, you know what I mean? So, going through that, and trying to make sense out of hip hop, I kind of stopped listening to music for a couple of months. When I finally put a beat on and picked up the pen, I wrote “In the Ghetto.” It was kinda therapeutic, but I guess, after that happening, it made sense to me to make a conscious record. It didn’t deal too much with my father, but it made sense to me.
Music video
editThe music video features cameos by Michael Bivins and Rudy Ray Moore.
Charts
edit| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5] | 82 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[6] | 10 |
References
edit- ^ Stereo Williams (July 26, 2021). "PLUG THE PRODUCER: LARGE PROFESSOR". Rock the Bells. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Daniel Isenberg (May 23, 2012). "Large Professor Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records (Part 1)". Complex. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Gino Sorcinelli (February 18, 2019). "Large Pro Made Eric B. & Rakim's "In The Ghetto" from a Cassette Sample". Medium. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ "Key Tracks: Rakim on "In The Ghetto"". Red Bull Music Academy. March 18, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ "Eric B. & Rakim Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Eric B. & Rakim Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.