Donny Hathaway Reaction The Ghetto (WOW! HE HUMMING AND I GOT CHILLS!) | Empress Reacts

"The Ghetto" is a socially conscious, mostly instrumental jazz-flavored anthem, released as the first single off American soul singer Donny Hathaway's debut album, Everything Is Everything, released as a single in 1969 on Atlantic Records.
The song was co-written by Hathaway and Leroy Hutson. The song was a 6 minute and 50 second extravaganza which built upon a cinematic feel with its lengthy instrumental though it did feature vocal ad-libs from Hathaway, who played Wurlitzer electronic piano on the song, and constant chants of the song, which had a distinctive Afro-Cuban sound with congas.
The song also featured additional backgrounds, dialogue from what sound like men talking on a street corner and a baby crying - that baby being Hathaway's own daughter Lalah before Hathaway ended the song with frenetic hand claps.
When originally released in 1969, the song became a modest charted single, peaking at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.[1]
The song was also featured on Hathaway's revered Live album in which Hathaway and his musicians played a faster version of the song and later featured Hathaway getting the audience into it singing the final chorus. The song was also used in the 1977 film Short Eyes.
Co-writer Leroy Hutson recorded a version of the song entitled "The Ghetto '74" for his album The Man! (1973). Since then, the song has been covered in hip-hop singles, most famously, Too Short's "The Ghetto", which featured Gerald Levert re-singing the chorus.
George Benson, accompanied by keyboardist Joe Sample, covered the song in his album Absolute Benson.

[@graphiquejack]

Donny is on those keys... he was so damn talented.

[@poppiethestable4569]

Indeed

[@darnell49]

Donnie has one of the most soulful voices, it can be so haunting at times. You can always feel his words.

[@EmpressReacts]

Right💯💯

[@poppiethestable4569]

F.Y.I.. The baby on the track is his daughter.. Sincerely. NO ROBOTS..Live hands only . Timeless. .Priceless...Poppie *

[@EmpressReacts]

Wow ‼That adds even more to the heart of the story

[@joshuawatts67]

Classic

[@UniversalBlackRocker]

Classic song by the late great Donny Hathaway!!

[@3John16]

That was Donny playing keyboards. His voice was a beautiful gift from God to all. 🙏 You must do ☆LITTLE GHETTO BOY live ☆

[@Honey-bh2jh]

beautiful! his voice is awesome and I loved how into the song you were and all of your thoughts ❤️ also, thank you Poppie, enjoyed this pick

[@poppiethestable4569]

Ur so welcome Honey.. Sincerely...Shor...nuff... Welcome

[@Honey-bh2jh]

@@poppiethestable4569 ❤️😘

[@EmpressReacts]

Thank u‼‼

[@fredscott5644]

Aretha is the Queen of Soul...you have now just heard the King of Soul. Just plain natural talent no need to over sing anything....

[@grindsman7]

That was Donny on the keys

[@ronaldmillner6387]

That's Donnie playing keys. You really have to go back and search Donny Haythaway The Ghetto LIVE 1970 and watch him tear it up!

[@EmpressReacts]

amazing

[@mrloverman75]

It’s actually Donny himself on the keys

[@byronmcgee6777]

Check out the duet with Roberta Flack, “Back Together Again”

[@treytaylor1511]

That's Donny on the keys, lol

[@EmpressReacts]

Oh wow ‼ He killed it💯

[@jinn_1891]

Played this in the car and my daughter copied it........only problem was, she thought he was saying 'POTATO'! 'Talkin bout potato' lol

[@IAmHavok]

Lmao love her version too 😂😂😂

[@vegasbaby3669]

Too Short!!!

[@EmpressReacts]

Ah! I knew a rapper had to sample this

[@patrickmurchison9145]

You've gotta check out his LIVE (1972) album/CD/KZbin video. It has "The Ghetto" and a host of incredible Donny Hits!!! I prefer the live version of "The Ghetto" over this studio version!!!

[@YallBeingFooled]

My dear, that’s the prodigal Donnie on them keys. I thought you knew! 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@rayname908]

Donnie Hathaway's song "A Dream " is amazing and tragic knowing he was probably gay & killed himself or was killed

[@quant65]

he suffered from severe schizophrenia and committed suicide by jumping from a building.

[@Wally-H]

Congas, not bongoes. Just sayin'. Earl DeRouen slapping the skins.

[@EmpressReacts]

🤣that's what I meant

[@Wally-H]

@@EmpressReacts Thanks for the review by the way. It's great to see people watching this great music and enjoying it.

[@poppiethestable1090]

That was wonderful