The Ghetto - Donny Hathaway - MP3 instrumental karaoke

Released as the first single from American soul artist Donny Hathaway's critically acclaimed studio debut Everything Is Everything in 1969, the cinematic jazz-infused track "The Ghetto" served as an introduction to the singer-songwriter's socially conscious take on the genre. Clocking in at 6 minutes and 53 seconds, "The Ghetto" is driven forward mainly by the Wurlitzer electronic piano and congas, which imbue the song with a distinct Afro-Cuban feel. Written by Donny Hathaway and former Howard University roommate Leroy Hutson, "The Ghetto" offered a snapshot of African American urban life through a series of background dialogues and groovy instrumentation, with the song title being used as a chant throughout the song. "The Ghetto" also features the sound of a baby crying, which happened to be Donny Hathaway's own daughter, Lalah. Shortly after its commercial release, the track became a modest hit by peaking at Number 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.