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"Ghetto"
Single by Akon
from the album Trouble
Released	December 21, 2004
Recorded	2003-2004
Genre	R&B hip hop soul
Length	3:57
Label	SRC/Universal
Songwriter(s)	Aliaune "Akon" Thiam, Benny Darius
Producer(s)	Akon, Benny-D
Akon singles chronology
"Find Us" (2004) "Ghetto" (2004) "Baby, I'm Back" (2005)

"Ghetto" is the second single from American singer-songwriter Akon's debut studio album, Trouble. The single was released on December 21, 2004, exclusively in Latin America and certain countries of Europe. The single peaked at #92 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Akon describes the meaning of the song, reflected in the song's lyrics, as "a description of the cycle of poverty experienced by those living in poor, inner-city areas". Additionally, it describes the physical and psychological oppression with which these residents must deal on a regular basis.

Song information

Four official versions of the song exist. The main album version is sung entirely by Akon, and features on all versions of the album. The second version is entitled the "International Remix", which features Dutch artists Ali B and Yes-R, and is listed as the main version of the track on the most prominent single formats. The third version is entitled the "US Remix", and features additional vocals from the late rappers Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. The "US Remix" version is only on the promotional version (US promo CD single). The fourth version is entitled the "Reggaeton Remix", and features vocals from Tego Calderon. There is also a Spanish version of this song by MC Piri, called "Pueblo Libre".

The song is not available on the iTunes version of the Trouble album.

Music video

The music video for the track was filmed in Irvington, New Jersey, trailer park in Arizona, and the Navajo Nation reservation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The video was directed by Canadian Little X. Two videos for the International and Reggaeton remixes exist, and both appear on the main single format.

Track listing

US promo CD single

1. "Ghetto" - 3:57
2. "Ghetto" (Remix) - 4:27

US 12" vinyl

1. "Ghetto" - 3:57
2. "Ghetto" (Reggaeton Remix) (Feat. Tego Calderón, Ali B & Yes R) - 5:40
3. "Ghetto" (International Remix) (Feat. Ali B & Yes R) - 4:17
4. "Ghetto" (Instrumental) - 3:57

Dutch 3CD single set

• CD1

1. "Ghetto" (International Remix) (Feat. Ali B & Yes R) - 4:17
2. "Ghetto" (Live On The Box, Amsterdam) - 3:46
3. "Ghetto" (International Remix) (Feat. Ali B & Yes R) (Video) - 4:23

• CD2

1. "Ghetto" (International Remix) (Feat. Ali B & Yes R) - 4:17
2. "Lonely" (Live On The Box, Amsterdam) - 3:41
3. "Locked Up" (Live On The Box, Amsterdam) - 2:58

• CD3

1. "Ghetto" (International Remix) (Feat. Ali B & Yes R) - 4:17
2. "Ghetto" (Reggaeton Remix) (Feat. Tego Calderon, Ali B & Yes R) - 5:40
3. "Ghetto" (Reggaeton Remix) (Feat. Tego Calderon, Ali B & Yes R) (Video) - 5:40

Charts

Release history

References

1. "Akon Gives Viewers A Slice Of Street Life In 'Ghetto' Video". MTV. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
2. "Akon Gives Viewers A Slice Of Street Life In 'Ghetto' Video". MTV. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
3. "Images for Akon - Ghetto". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
4. "Akon Featuring Ali B & Yes-R - Ghetto (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
5. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 10, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
6. "Akon feat. Ali B & Yes-R – Ghetto Remix" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
7. "Akon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
8. "Akon Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
9. "Akon Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
10. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2006". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
11. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2006". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
12. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1579. October 29, 2004. p. 19. Retrieved July 8, 2022.

• Akon songs
• Tego Calderón songs
• 2004 singles
• 2004 songs
• Songs written by Akon
• Songs about poverty
• Universal Music Group singles
• Hip hop soul songs