The world is a ghetto, just like the ‘70s band War used to say. We live in a global neighborhood where there are more ghettos in the world than upper-class enclaves, sleepy suburban tract homes and middle-class row houses combined. If you have ever traveled further than your own block, outside of your city, or beyond state lines, you know the deal.

There are few places on this planet we call Earth where this is more painfully obvious than “The Badlands,” better known as Camden, New Jersey. It is a place where the reality of ghetto life means reconciling conflicting truths on a daily basis. In the blink of an eye, parks become battlegrounds and basketball games beget brawls. Where your man who speaks about opening a business rises off of the porch to serve the fiend on the corner his daily fix of rock, weed, or whatever other street pharmaceutical is needed.
Camden, where shots ring out on summer nights settling arguments and once again summoning peace. Camden is about reality—a reality that Uncle Sam doesn't want the rest of the world to see. Those who reside there know this to be true—Dave Ghetto knows this to be true.

“Camden is more or less poor people trying to make the best of a bad situation,” says Dave. “Lack of proper resources can make or break some people.
It’s enough to build a sense of resilience in some, while others can’t find the strength to maintain, finding themselves in one of the many pitfalls that plague our communities.”

Dave stepped on the scene in 1998 (then known as AZ-IZ) with his group Nuthouse and their release "A LUV SUPREAM" on Bobbito Garcia’s Fondle 'Em imprint. After various performances and radio appearances, the group followed up with their Goodvibe Recordings debut EP "DEEZ NUTZ." Since then, he has performed and recorded with the likes of Bahamadia, Slum Village, The Roots, Common, De La Soul, and Kanye West.

“We jumped off at a time when Rawkus was poppin’. Fondle ‘Em was makin’ noise and in Philadelphia, we had Bobbito’s Footwork which was the stomping ground for Philly’s up and coming emcees, DJs, b-boys, and graff heads. It was more or less a place to meet with other like-minded artists while rubbing elbows with many of Philly’s heavyweights. Connecting with artist like the Roots, Jazzy Jeff, Bahamadia and Jill Scott, gave many of us the drive to continue to hustle long after Footwork closed its doors. Many of us went on to gain significant exposure, yet still have yet to gain similar amount of
success…hopefully that’ll change after “LoveLife?” hits.”

While Dave got his start with Nuthouse, he has decided to go it alone this time around. His solo Counterflow Recordings debut, “LoveLife?” is warm and filled with real soul while his subject matter is raw and gritty much like the city that produced this witty wordsmith. Songs like “Hey Young World” and “The Struggle” exhibit Dave’s growth as person, let alone an artist, by tackling issues faced by the inhabitants of poor communities throughout AmeriKKKa. “I focused on the topics that I focused on because outside of being an artist, I am a man, and a father,” says Dave. “That being said songs like ‘Hey Young World’ pt. 1&2 are very personal, while ‘DayIn/DayOut’ and ‘It’s On’ where the emcee in me fighting to be heard. Hopefully, the diverse sound of my album will be accepted for what it is… natural. No one is 100% one-way. The hardest killers laugh. The most pleasant people can become the most dangerous people when provoked. It’s this balance that I hope people will recognize attracting people from various walks of life--Doctors, lawyers, actors, athletes, hoods… whoever!

“I hope to bring back a feeling of balance in Hip-Hop,” he adds. “As a fan of various types of Hip-Hop music, the blend of these various sounds and feels all play a part in what you hear from me. I come from the slums that most rappers spotlight in their music, yet I also came up in an era when Knowledge of Self was important, and artist were more lyrical. This all reflects in my music. For instance, my album is very soulful in sound, but it is still representative of the gritty Camden neighborhoods from which I drew my inspiration.”

The Badlands, like any other inner city, is the birthplace of “Gettin' up, gettin' out, and gettin' somethin'.” And while the residents of Camden dream of equality, although different from the popular notion of the AmeriKKKan dream, these dreams center around ideas of a level playing field and equal opportunity for all brethren, regardless of class, education, or the amount of Benjamins lining their pockets.

Into a world of darkness steps the son of light, bringing with them something sorely lacking in this culture - clarity, an abiding love for their people, and all things GHETTO.