Sleeve Notes1981

Ghetto Life

Rick James · 1981

Recording

"Ghetto Life" was recorded during the Street Songs sessions in late 1980 and early 1981 at the Record Plant in Sausalito and Motown's Hitsville West studios in Hollywood. Rick James produced and arranged the recording, Daniel LeMelle arranged the horns, and members of the Temptations contributed backing vocals. Released as the third single from Street Songs, the autobiographical song drew on James's childhood in Buffalo and combined social observation with his dance-oriented production. It reached number 38 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, while a dance medley incorporating the track reached number one on the club chart. "Ghetto Life" became one of the enduring socially focused recordings in James's catalogue, later appearing in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Busta Rhymes sampled James's recording for the 2006 track "In the Ghetto."

ArtistRick James

Year1981

StudioRecord Plant, Sausalito and Motown Hitsville West, Hollywood

LabelGordy

ProducersRick James · Daniel LeMelle · Bobby Brooks · Tom Flye · Rick Sanchez

How curators tag this

Funk100%

Sound check

SamplesFig. B

Lookin' 4 Awayout

Celly Cel · 1993 · sampled-by

Ghetto

Tha Eastsidaz feat. Kokane, Kam and Nate Dogg · 2000 · sampled-by

In the Ghetto

Busta Rhymes feat. Rick James · 2006 · sampled-by

Year · 1981Fig. C

Pull Up to the Bumper

Grace Jones · 1981

Cowboys & Gangsters

Gichy Dan · 1981

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Inner Life · 1981

Can You Feel It

Michael Jackson · 1981

Gigolo Rapp

Disco Daddy & Captain Rapp · 1981

Same GenreFig. D

Itch and Scratch, Part 1

Rufus Thomas · 1970

Apache

The Incredible Bongo Band · 1973

Burning Spear

S.O.U.L. · 1971

Hot Wheels

Badder Than Evil · 1973

Brick House

Commodores · 1977

Artist · Rick JamesIn the Sleeve Notes

1970s

1978Mary Jane

1980s

1981Ghetto LifeYou are here

Undated

—Give It to Me Baby