In 2008 Ghetto Transcends Potential, “GTP” coalesced around a common goal to engage, enlighten, encourage and support inner-city youth through insightful, penetrating, socially provoking poetry: riding waves of haunting melodies driven by infectious rhythms. These hip-hop “Griots” skillfully target their messages (albeit universal) to urban youth advocating for a new mindset that ruminates –“My potential is limitless and not defined by my environment or station in life.”
“Hip-hop,” is an integral part of the inner-city experience but distressingly, it has been distorted by artists who have isolated themselves in gold and platinum towers where record moguls prey on the venerable and exploit “ghetto” stereotypes. Profane lyrics and licentious videos depict wanton communities spiraling hopelessly out of control, where tragically many inner-city youth embrace their typecasting.
GTP sees the commercial abuse of indigenous hip-hop as a viable opportunity to recapture the untapped potential in this genre of music by motivating our youth to be discernable in their choice of music, role models and life’s pathways. It is evident in GTP’s performances that they practice what they preach by dissecting their life experiences. GTP examines in verse, the profits of war; the cityscape and heartbeat of growing up in New York; the virtues embedded in social involvement and the erosion of hip-hop as a viable art form that documents its society. It is a process of forming ones worldview by challenging the obvious. GTP’s mission to walk-the-walk ultimately manifests in community service, forming alliances with pro-active community groups and public services, aiding the homeless, feeding the hungry and advocating for the rights of all people.
GTP artists Ron Solero (Producer/MC), John Mega (MC) and Just A Poet (MC), officially combined their talents and social commitment in 2008 after having worked with various groups. In February 2009 GTP was invited to London for the “End of the Weak” freestyle world championship as the opening MC’s with approx 500 captive attendees. Three months later they were invited back to open for the “First People's Army Concert” in Brixton London and attracted an international crowd of about 500. The performance at the “End of the Weak” Freestyle Championships resulted in an invitation to perform in August of 2009 at the “Graffiti Box Festival” in Berlin Germany.
Upon returning to the states at the end of 2009 GTP focused their efforts stateside, performing at every major venue in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia PA, frequently pumping it out at the “Nuyorican Poets Café,” “The Bowery Poetry Club” and “The M Room.” While performing at a popular venue called "A Monthly Bonfire,” the group met DJ Boosh Wheelz who was the resident DJ for this event. His creative skills at the table plus being the first DJ to play all of the tracks off GTP’s debut mix tape warranted an invitation for him to join the group. With DJ Boosh Wheelz seizing the moment and GTP expanded their in-house creative capabilities. Fired-up, they began to develop their debut CD entitled “Ghetto Transcends Potential.” The official release date for their premier album was May 1st 2011. They also completed their first video for the single "Next Up" directed by Morbius of “The Sargonites” and streamed through various internet outlets. The current video project with its memorable new anthem of New York City entitled "Where I'm From" is like a verbal tour of the “Big Apple” on steroids with a serious attitude. If you are from New York it is impossible not to get caught up in the borough hopping of these lyrics.
GTP has released "Waste Management" an EP which gave fans a taste of what is to come from the group. The title track video “Waste Management” has been recreating the buzz that surrounds the group GTP. This video was followed up by “Keep It Moving” which quickly became a popular hashtag. With the group regaining their buzz on August 5th, 2015 GTP released a follow up EP entitled "State of Emergency". The group wanted to show its appreciation for all of the fans support through the years so this was a free event at Club Drom nyc. The night was an amazing success and will be remembered by attendees for some time to come. Performing two sets, the first being the tracks that the group is known for and the second being what the group has been up to. The first set had the crowd singing along to some of their favorite hooks such as “Next Up” and “Where I’m From”. While the second set which set the crowd a buzz were the new songs off of the “Waste Management” and “State of Emergency” Eps. GTP is currently working on their new album which is currently untitled but is sure to please their fans and create new ones with the first listen. In the meantime Check Out UnAuthorized Tracks! Videos coming soon. Stay Tuned!
GTP has received credible acclaimed from numerous blogs, internet radio shows and on-line magazines. The most notable being the comment written by Adam Bernard of Adam's World Blog, “When I first heard GTP I thought to myself that the Boom bap was back."
Alanthony Green©2011
(a.k.a “Double A”)
In 2008 "GTP" coalesced around a common goal to engage, enlighten, encourage and support inner-city youth through insightful, penetrating, socially provoking poetry, riding waves of haunting melodies driven by infectious rhythms. These hip-hop "Griots" skillfully target their messages (albeit universal) to urban youth advocating for a mindset that ruminates - "My potential is limitless and not defined by my environment or station in life."
"GTP" put plainly is what Hip Hop was meant to be and as soon as you hear the wisdom spoken over riveting rhythms you will feel exactly as Adam Bernard did from Adam's World Blog "When I first heard "GTP" I thought to myself that the Boom Bap was back."
Alanthony Green©2011
(a.k.a “Double A”)