Meaning
A poor, densely populated inner-city community — the tough, under-resourced neighbourhoods of urban Jamaica. Though a place of hardship, 'ghetto' is also spoken of with pride, resilience, and belonging; 'ghetto youth' and 'ghetto people' are central figures in reggae and dancehall.
Examples
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Him rise up from di ghetto to di top.
He rose up from the ghetto to the top.
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Ghetto youth haffi hustle hard.
Ghetto youths have to hustle hard.
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Nuff strength an love inna di ghetto.
There's plenty of strength and love in the ghetto.
Origin
From the international word 'ghetto' (a poor urban quarter); in Jamaican usage it carries both hardship and a strong sense of identity and pride.
How it’s used
Both a place of hardship and a badge of identity/pride in reggae and dancehall. Compare 'tenement yaad', 'garrison'.