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Liberator 5.3
Cham
Ghetto Story

Kingston, Jamaica's own Cham, formally known as Baby Cham, hits the streets with long-awaited, second full-length release "Ghetto Story." Cham was raised in one of Jamaica's most notorious ghettos: The Waterhouse. Although Cham achieved superstar status in Jamaica back in the late 90's, his talent and style was lost in the sea of random dancehall tracks that reached American soil. While being exposed to all of the trauma and tribulation that accompanies ghetto life in Kingston, Cham simultaneously was exposed to the ways of his uncle who owned a recording studio that was frequented by major Jamaican artists as Supercat and Half Pint. "Ghetto Story" the album's title track boasts an almost stereotypical scaled down dancehall beat that knocks harder than the streets themselves. It sets the tone for Cham's extremely personal lyrics. He wails the chorus, "I remember those days when hell was my home/ when me and mama bed was a big piece foam/ An mi never like bathe and my hair never comb /when mama gone a work/ me go street go roam." The album contains three versions of "Ghetto Story" including one with Alicia Keys which at first seems forced but after listening to Keys's heartfelt contribution to the track you can't help but feel her. It also exposes the connection and shared pain that people of African decent face all over the world. As much as dancehall music has influenced American hip-hop, Cham's lyrics also reflect a heavy influence from American hip-hop artists. Cham has been accused of making Yankee music by some of his critics, due some of his lyrics in songs such as "Bring it On" as the chorus, "If you lookin for me I'll be on my corner/ nigga since your gully come and get me if you wanna." Cham proves that you can achieve success and crossover without sugar coating your lyrics or forgetting where you come from. While it is unlikely he'll threaten Sean Paul, Cham has solidified himself in dancehall history as one of the strongest to touch the mic and puts him in such legendary status as mentors Bennie Man and Buju Banton.
(Amahl Grant)