East London rapper Justin ‘Ghetts’ Clarke made a little history when he bounced onstage at Somerset House, the first grime star to headline this august venue’s long-running Summer Series concert programme. The 37-year-old Plaistow native was backed by a five-piece band, including his brother Kadeem on guitar, who combined traditional rock arrangements with electronics, turntables and sampled strings.
Between nimble, rapid-fire, bittersweet lyrics about his past life as a teenage car thief and convict, Clarke addressed the crowd with humour and humility. “Let me tell you why I’m overwhelmed,” he grinned. “I look out and I see all ages, all races...”
