Little Ghetto Boy

Little Ghetto Boy is a soul composition written by Earl DeRouen and Edward Howard, initially recorded by Donny Hathaway in 1971 for his 1972 album Live. That same year, a studio-quality version was also included on the soundtrack for Come Back, Charleston Blue.

More than four decades later, Hathaway's daughter, Lalah Hathaway, delivered her own rendition of the track on her 2015 album Live. In January 2016, this version was remixed under the title "Ghetto Boy," featuring collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Robert Glasper, and released through eOne Music.

Meaning

The lyrics explore the difficulties encountered by marginalized communities, while emphasizing themes of bravery and perseverance that encourage listeners to rise above hardship.

Inspiration

Lalah Hathaway has acknowledged her father as the driving force behind her interpretation, highlighting the enduring relevance of the song’s message and the importance of conveying it with the same heartfelt intensity he originally brought to it.

Campaign

She initiated a campaign inviting individuals to express their creativity—through mediums such as art, music, poetry, sculpture, and photography—drawing motivation from the song’s themes.

Awards

Her rendition received the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2016, and the album it belongs to was honored with a Grammy the following year.