Ghetts on standing up for women, street politics, and pioneer recognition: ‘Peace is not too much to ask for’
At his studio on the outskirts of east London, Ghetts is working on new music.
Given his latest album, On Purpose, With Purpose, was introduced to the world just a few days before we meet it seems unusual, but when the ideas don’t stop there is no time for rest.
Ghetts describes his working days “as pretty much Groundhog Day”, with a gym workout at 9.30am then straight to the studio. But this is his sanctuary. “It’s like therapy almost. I’m happy when I’m here.”
One of the UK’s most influential rap artists, Ghetts, real name Justin Clarke, was a teenager when grime emerged in the UK in the early 2000s. He has been in the business for half his life and hailed a trailblazer in the genre, with the mainstream catching up in recent years; in 2019, he received an Ivor Novello nomination, followed by a number two chart position and Mercury Prize nomination for third album, Conflict Of Interest, in 2021.
Ghetts says working in his studio is like ‘therapy’
At this year’s MOBOs he received the pioneer award, a “crazy” moment that saw him joined on stage by his parents, who have supported him since the start. “I feel like that’s not just a ‘me’ moment, that’s quite an ‘us’ moment, you know, the culture,” he says of the award. “That meant a lot.”
Ghetts is known for delivering sharp, social commentary through his lyrics, and as something of a veteran now he feels more comfortable than ever getting his message across. In On Purpose, With Purpose, he features collaborations with musicians including Kano, Wretch 32 and Sampha, and touches on everything from politics, war, and knife and gun crime, to parenting, abortion laws and postnatal depression. However, he dismisses the idea of it as political commentary.
“I guess it’s just a reflection of the times,” the rapper says. “I don’t think it’s anything political just to state facts… Some of [the songs] are not as controversial as others, but like I said, it’s a reflection of the world, seeing these things happening. I wouldn’t necessarily say I was calling them out. I’m an artist and I’m painting pictures with words.”
Ghetts picked up the pioneer award at the 2024 MOBOs earlier this year. Pic: PA/ Danny Lawson
Postnatal depression and knife crime
In Jonah’s Safety, Ghetts raps: “I know this lady/ Diagnosed with postnatal depression/ She don’t wan hold her baby… Nobody knew that’s how she felt/ She had the smile that concealed it.” It’s an issue discussed openly much more than it was even just 10 years ago, but by women. It is refreshing to hear a male rapper taking it on.
“I heard the beat and the first two lines just came into my head almost instantly,” he tells us. It was a “massive” subject for a man to take on, he adds, “one that deserves research other than just my perspective”.
In Street Politics, he aims to give “a different perspective” to the headlines on youth knife crime, showing “somebody that was a straight-A student fall into a certain way of protecting himself due to fear… I believe it gives a different kind of understanding of why, maybe.”
Having spent time in prison as a teenager, he is aware things could have turned out differently in his own life. “Yeah, sometimes,” he responds, when asked how much he thinks about life’s turning points. “But it’s just testament, you know, to having a vision and living that vision. And being convicted in that vision as well.”
In another album track, Double Standards, the rapper calls out the “structural imbalance” in everything from racism, the justice system and technology, to the different ways he believes the world has reacted to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Pic: Darkside Media
‘We shouldn’t be scared to ask for peace’
It’s about “the yin and yang”, he says. “A double standard of how people of the world are living in different countries and the punishments that differ also, the treatment that differs also. It’s that left, that right, that light, that dark, and everything in between.”
In the track, he raps: “I was on the phone with a pal of mine / they asked me why they’re helping Ukraine and not Palestine / And I’ve replied brown skin we was so whitewashed.”
In person, he says. “I think that peace is not too much to ask for. That’s what I believe… I think everything plays a part within these things – rich, poor, and so on. Not just race… but I go back to saying peace aint too much to ask for. That’s a powerful statement… we shouldn’t be scared to ask for peace.”
So it does seem political, despite his saying otherwise. In 2019, Ghetts endorsed Jeremy Corbyn “because I believe he’s a genuine person that wants to make things better”, but he doesn’t feel the same way about current Labour leader Keir Starmer. Voting at this moment in time, he says, would be “like voting for a lesser evil, I suppose… I don’t know”.
He also laments cancel culture and “fake rage” in his final track. “I think sometimes that lacks a lot of critical thinking of how we may have got to that point,” he says. “You know, it’s just a million voices in one place and reiterating the same thing over and over again, making it spread.”
Read more from Sky News entertainment:
Raye interview: ‘It’s been a real wild journey’
‘It’s distressing hearing your song at number one when you’re not getting paid’
With Ghetts and his team ready to get to work, we leave it there. Given he had about 50 tracks in the mix for Conflict Of Interest and more that didn’t make the cut for On Purpose, With Purpose, plus his current work, it feels as if there must be a big vault of Ghetts music still waiting to be heard.
“Even though some of these tracks are very good standalone tracks, when they’re together they don’t sound like it’s a journey, it sounds pretty random,” he says. “So that’s the only reason why they don’t make it sometimes.”
Will his fans ever hear them?
“One day I want to do a big release,” he teases. “One day.”
Ghetts is performing in Birmingham, Manchester and London between 22 and 27 March. On Purpose, With Purpose is out now
Entertainment
Eurovision 2024: Politics pushes its way into the spotlight as final 10 acts announced ahead of grand final
Politics has thrust its way into this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, with several of the finalists referring ongoing global disputes while speaking about their progression into the final stage of the competition.
Latvian act Dons, whose song Hollow is about insecurity, was the first to use his platform to shine a light onto the troubled geopolitical landscape.
Latvia’s Dons. Pic: Corinne Cumming/EBU
Appearing at a news conference following the selection of the final 10 acts on Thursday, he responded to a question from Latvian media asking him, “What was your message tonight?” by saying: “Today was a special day in my life. I’ve never been so proud to be part of the Latvian nation.
“Latvia is the only country in the world that is in the shape of a butterfly. Butterflies symbolise hope and freedom because to be a butterfly you have to fly and you have to be free. Every country in the world deserves to be free.”
He received a loud round of applause within the room.
The competition – which is the largest music contest in the world – is taking place against the backdrop of two wars, with ongoing fighting in both Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022 and in Gaza due to the Israel-Hamas war.
Isreal has made it into the Eurovision semi-final, despite large-scale protests across Malmo. Pic: Reuters
Russia has been banned from the contest for the last two years, with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) saying it was removed from the competition after repeatedly using its broadcasting channels as a tool for political propaganda.
This year tensions have been running high, with people calling for Israel to be banned from the contest due to actions in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
However, the EBU has said that unlike Russia, Israel has not broken any broadcasting rules and so will remain in the show.
A Pro-Palestinian demonstration ahead of the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo. Pic: AP
Pro-Palestine groups held large-scale protests across Malmo, Sweden – the host city – as the second semi-final took place today.
Security is high around Malmo, and extra police have been drafted in from neighbouring Denmark and Norway.
Speaking at the end of the briefing, Eden Golan – who will compete for Israel in the grand final – was asked by Polish radio’s Newsletter whether she thought she was causing a security risk for other participants by attending the event.
The moderator of the conference, Swedish presenter Jovan Radomir, told Golan she didn’t have to answer the question if she didn’t want to.
The 20-year-old singer responded by saying: “I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only. And the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone. And so, I think it’s safe for everyone or we wouldn’t be here.”
Her response was also met with a round of applause.
Following Israel’s progress into the final stage, their betting odds have shot up, putting them in second place to win.
Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
Golan was also asked what the most difficult part of her performance was and answered: “I wouldn’t say any part is difficult. I enjoy performing, my everything is performing.
“I feel like I was born for this, and I was given a gift from God to share and make people feel something and touch people’s souls. And this is exactly what I’m doing.
“Of course, there’s stress and nerves and excitement and many, many things around and thoughts. But at the end of the day, I’m very focused and I go on stage and just try to forget about everything around me and give my all and enjoy my time and for what’s next. This is just the beginning.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Israel performs at Eurovision semi-final
She performed her song Hurricane dressed in a white dress, flanked by five backing dancers and centred around a large wheel-like prop in the centre of the stage.
During a rehearsal earlier in the week, Golan was met with boos and cries of “Free Palestine”, and an audience member appeared to have a Palestinian flag removed from them in the auditorium.
She has previously said she hopes to unite people through music, echoing Eurovision’s motto, “united by music”.
Netherlands act Joost. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
The moto was also the theme of a question directed at Netherlands act Joost Klein, who was asked, “Do you think that your song can unite us all by music?”
The 26-year-old performer quickly responded: “That’s a good question for the EBU.”
Read more:
Will Abba perform on the night?
Why are two of the songs so controversial?
His song Europapa – one of the biggest earworms of the show and described by one critic as “so bad” it will “put you off music forever“.- is a favourite to win.
Meanwhile, Greek act Marina Satti inadvertently wandered into dangerous ground when answering one of her questions.
Greece’s Marina Satti. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
She jokingly answered, “world peace”, when asked about the relevance of tourism in her song’s video, before realising that she could be seen to be referring to the current state of contentious geopolitics.
The 37-year-old singer quickly explained: “I’m kidding. No, it’s just because, such questions [are usually] in the beauty contests, usually world peace is the answer. Sorry. Cringe. Sorry, sorry, sorry.”
Hollywood actress Malin Akerman and Swedish comedian Petra Mede are the hosts of this year’s shows – which culminate in a grand final on Saturday when 26 countries will battle it out for the coveted Eurovision glass trophy.
Sky News will be in Malmo with updates, a live blog, and all the biggest news from the contest as it happens.
Entertainment
Eurovision 2024: Israel’s Eden Golan makes it through to grand final with Hurricane after protests
Israel has made it into the Eurovision grand final, despite calls for the country’s entry to be banned from the contest.
Israel’s success in reaching the final stage of the show – which will take place on Saturday – comes against a backdrop of large protests across Malmo, Sweden, which is this year’s host city.
The Pro-Palestinian demonstration before the Eurovision Song Contest. Pic: AP
Israel‘s song Hurricane – sung by 20-year-old Eden Golan – had to be reworked after an initial version titled October Rain was ruled too political by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) which believed some lyrics referred to the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel.
Some believe that some lyrics in the current song – including “Dancin’ in the storm… I’m still broken from this hurricane,” still refer to attacks seven months ago which killed more than 1,000 people and resulted in hundreds of hostages being taken.
During an earlier rehearsal on Tuesday, Golan was met with boos and cries of “Free Palestine,” and an audience member appeared to have a Palestinian flag removed from them in the auditorium.
Israel’s Eden Golan with Hurricane for Israel. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
The EBU has said only flags that represent countries taking part, and the rainbow flag, can be brought to the event.
They have said other “flags, symbols, clothing, items and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalising the TV shows” will be removed.
Golan performed her song Hurricane dressed in white and flanked by five backing dancers. The performance centred around a large wheel-like prop in the centre of the stage.
She has said she hopes to unite people through music.
Israel’s Eden Golan with Hurricane for Israel. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
Condemnation of ‘harassment’ and ‘abuse’
In the run-up to the competition – which is the world’s largest live music contest – there have been demonstrations and calls for Israel to be banned over their ongoing ground offensive in Gaza.
However, the EBU – which says it is an apolitical organisation – has ruled that Israel can take part, saying it has not broken any broadcasting rules.
The EBU has also condemned the “harassment” and “abuse” of any acts taking part in the show.
This week, the EBU was forced to apologise after former Swedish contestant Eric Saade, who is reportedly of Palestinian origin, wore a keffiyeh around his wrist while he sang in an earlier rehearsal.
On Tuesday, ten acts were chosen for the final in the first semi-final: Ireland’s Bambie Thug, Ukrainian duo Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil, Finland’s Windows95Man, Serbia’s Teya Dora, Cyprus’s Silia Kapsis, Lithuania’s Silvester Belt, Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, Slovenia’s Raiven, Portugal’s Iolanda and Luxembourg’s Tali.
The other nine acts who made it through from Thursday’s semi-final were Greece’s Marina Satti, Switzerland’s Nemo, Austria’s Kaleen, Armenia’s Ladaniva, Latvia’s Dons, Georgia’s Nutsa Buzaladze, Estonia’s 5Miinust and Puuluup, Norway’s Gate and The Netherlands’s Joost Klein.
The “Big Five” (the UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy, who are the largest contributors to the competition) all gain an automatic place in the competition along with host nation Sweden.
In March, nine contestants – including the UK’s Olly Alexander, Ireland’s Bambie Thug and Switzerland’s Nemo – called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the “safe return” of Israeli hostages in a joint statement.
UK’s Olly Alexander with Dizzy. Pic: Corinne Cumming/EBU
Ireland’s Bambie Thug performing at the semi-final. Pic: Reuters
However, they said they would not be boycotting the event in a bid to “uphold this space” and “inspire greater compassion and empathy”.
As it stands, no act has withdrawn from this year’s contest over the war.
More than 34,000 people have been killed, and over 77,000 have been injured in Gaza since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s Hamas-led health ministry.
Israel’s entry Golan, who has been performing since she was nine years old, left Israel when she was six to live in Russia with her family, but returned when she was 18.
Her song, which was co-written by one of the writers and producers of Israel’s 2018 winning number Toy – tells the story of a young woman experiencing a personal crisis.
It’s among the favourites with bookmakers to win the competition.
Last year Israel, who have been performing in the contest since 1973, came third with the song Unicorn performed by Noa Kirel. They have won Eurovision four times.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The Grand Final is on Saturday night. Sky News will be in Malmo with updates, a live blog, and all the biggest news from the contest as it happens.
Entertainment
Hailey Bieber pregnant: Pop star Justin and wife announce they are expecting first child
Justin and Hailey Bieber have announced they are expecting their first child.
Hailey, the 27-year-old model, posted a video and a series of photos on Instagram showing off her baby bump.
Justin, 30, is also in the social media footage and has shared his wife’s post. It racked up over 1.8 million likes in less than an hour.
The announcement did not include a caption, with Hailey simply tagging her husband in the post.
The couple tied the knot in a secret ceremony in New York in 2018. The Instagram footage shows Hailey in a white lace dress during an apparent vow renewal held in a field.
Kylie Jenner was among the celebrities congratulating the couple in the comments of Hailey’s social media post.
The couple married in secret in 2018. Pic: BauerGriffin / MediaPunch /IPX
US reality star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian, model Gigi Hadid and TV personality Chrissy Teigen also commented with their warm wishes.
Read more from Sky News:
Person arrested outside Drake’s home
Two new Lord Of The Rings films to be made
Biggest song never to hit UK number 1 revealed
Hailey is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and niece of actors Alec, William and Daniel Baldwin, while Justin was discovered as a singer online aged 13 and went on to become a pop sensation with his hits including Baby, Love Me and Yummy.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The Canadian superstar was forced to cancel the remaining dates of his Justice world tour last year amid his ongoing recovery from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that can cause facial paralysis.
He unexpectedly stepped on stage at Coachella last month to perform the 2020 hit single Essence, alongside Wizkid, during a set by Nigerian star Tems.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Environment12 months agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports6 months agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports1 month agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Environment1 year agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Environment1 year agoTesla advances Powerwall pilot project with German electric company