Brooks was raised in an area known as "Cuban", a micro ghetto within the heart of Kingston, Jamaica's Cassava Piece community. His grandmother gave him his first musical experience at a young age, bringing him to church to sing. He also cites the music of Bounty Killer as an early influence.
The boyhood idol became his mentor when at the age of 15, Bounty took him under his wing to show him the ropes of the music industry. He decided to name himself "Mavado" after the Swiss watch company Movado, altering the spelling.
His debut single, "Real McKoy" on the Anger Management riddim in 2004, provided him instant success.He further established himself with the follow-up record “Weh Dem a Do”, on the Red Bull & Guinness riddim. After a string of hits in 2005 and 2006, Mavado released the album ''Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks'' July 10, 2007 on VP Records. "Weh Dem A Do" and "Dying", two singles from the album, were featured heavily on R&B/hip-hop radio in New York.
That same year brought Mavado off-stage controversy, as he was arrested and booked by Jamaican police on what was later revealed to be gun charges. While in police custody, the singer claims he was thrown into a glass window, losing three fingers in the process, which were reattached at a local hospital. Police claimed Mavado escaped from custody while at the hospital. The incident caused him to be refused entry into the United States a short time later. He was again arrested and charged with shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm in relation to an event occurring July 27, 2007. He was later freed of all charges.
In March 2008, Mavado was featured performing a rendition of his song "Real McKoy" for Grand Theft Auto IV] Trailer #4 "Everyone's a Rat". "Real McKoy", along with "Last Night" (both from the album ''Gangsta for Life''), were also featured in the game on the radio station "Massive B Radio".
In November 2009, Mavado lost out to Sean Paul for the Best Reggae Artist award at Soul Train Music Awards. He won the 2010 EME award for Male Singjay of the Year.
In 2008 Mavado was given the prestigious UK MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act.
In April 2010, Mavado starred as a gangster in Drake's song Find Your Love for Drake's album Thank Me Later
Mavado formed his own label, Mansion Records, in 2011, debuting with the single "Delilah".
Along with Bounty Killer, he has cited 2Pac as a childhood idol, comparing the late rapper's life to his own.
In 2011, Mavado recorded with U.K. Grime artist Chipmunk on the track "Every Gyal"
On 1 September 2011, Mavado appeared on the Angie Martinez show on New York's Hot 97 radio station to announce that he had signed a deal with DJ Khaled's record label We the Best Music Group. Mavado released two singles "Emergency" featuring Ace Hood and "Survivor" featuring Akon on We the Best Music Group.
Mavado has confirmed the first song on his next album. It is called "For Jamaica, for the world" part 2 Featuring DJ Khaled, Rick Ross and Birdman.
So Special
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know you know, dooone know done know, I'm on di go
I'm on di go but! badman ah try fi stop mi though jah know
I'm on di go, I'm on di go jah! clone mi out cah mi nuh
Poppy show jah
CHORUS
I'm so special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special bwoy ah pree mi
Fi gal and dem waan chase like petal thank jah
I'm so special, I'm so special so special so special
Tell 'em mi nuh fear two face expression guy fi do
Dutty mouth caan trace nor dettol mi hear dem chat
VERSE 1
And ah seh dem waan mi head pon block but! mi bun di
Fire til it wet pon dat you betta help poor people
Would dem beg pon block else you si you dutty heart
You ah guh dead from dat see it, now dem ah seh mi
Marked fi death and each! time mi walk dem seh mi walk
Fi death you see it, dem lock mi dung now and mi caan
Forget cah Jehovah did ah guide mi seh mi nah regret
Jah
CHORUS
I'm so special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan pree mi
Fi gal and dem waan taste gal special but jah
I'm so special, I'm so special so special so special
Tell 'em mi nuh fear two face expression guy fi know
Dutty mouth caan trace nor dettol all it same thing
VERSE 2
Jackie and steven ah di swine fa! informa si too much
Dat dem blind fa! one plate ah food dem sell out mankind
Fa! guess you have di yearn suh weh di bag ah badmind fa
Mi sidestep dem dutty works suh how di fuck dem waan mi
Join fa! mi gi dem weh dem waan weh dem ah mix mi inna
Crime fa, ah di same thing warlord rise him nine fa
Every dutty work jah shall show dem a sign fa cause jah
CHORUS
Mek we special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan pree mi
Fi gal and dem waan chase like petal but jah
I'm so special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special ha ha ha
OUTRO
Jah! mek we special, I'm so special so special so
Special dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan
Pree mi fi gal and dem waan chase like brother it's
A special delivery, dem waan mi live inna misery but
Dat they will never si special delivery, from my
Mother deliver mi ha ha I'm on di go, I'm on di go but
Dem badmind nuh waan fi stop mi though jah know, I'm on
Di go I'm on di go but! dem caan play mi like nuh poppy
Show cause jah! mek we special, I'm so special so special
So special dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan
Pree mi fi gal and dem waan chase like petal but jah
Mek we special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan pree mi fi
The lyrics to Mavado's song "So Special" speak to the idea that the artist is someone special, deserving of respect and admiration, but also someone who faces constant opposition from those who wish to bring him down. Mavado affirms his sense of self-worth by carrying a weapon (a .45 special) and by recognizing that others are envious of him. Throughout the song, he relies on his belief in Jah, or God, to guide and protect him, and he never loses faith in his own ability to overcome obstacles.
In the first verse, Mavado describes the ways in which people are trying to harm him, either by targeting him personally or by causing harm to others in his community. He has a strong sense of purpose, though, and he is not deterred by these challenges. In the second verse, he goes after the "informa", or snitches, who are trying to bring him down. Mavado sees them as being foolish and blind to the damage they are causing to their community.
One interesting fact about the song is that it samples a classic reggae tune called "Fade Away" by Junior Byles. The guitar riff in Mavado's version is taken directly from Byles' song. Another interesting fact is that "So Special" was produced by a group of Jamaican producers called Daseca, who were known for their innovative and experimental approach to dancehall music. Finally, the lyrics to the song have been interpreted in a variety of ways, with some fans seeing it as a commentary on social inequality, while others view it as simply a celebration of Mavado's unique talent.
Chords
Unfortunately, the chords for this song are not readily available.
Line by Line Meaning
DJ bomb dem, neva stop, aaaaay I'm on di go aaaaay I know
The DJ is playing music nonstop, and I'm always on the move. I'm well aware of my circumstances and situation.
You know you know, dooone know done know, I'm on di go
I know that you understand, but even if you don't, I'm still constantly on the move.
I'm on di go but! badman ah try fi stop mi though jah know
I may be on the move, but there are constantly people trying to stop me. Only God knows the truth.
I'm on di go, I'm on di go jah! clone mi out cah mi nuh
Poppy show jah
I'm constantly on the move, and my enemies are trying to clone me or make me out to be something I'm not, but they won't succeed because I won't put on a fake persona for them.
I'm so special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special bwoy ah pree mi
Fi gal and dem waan chase like petal thank jah
I'm very unique and valuable, which is why I carry a gun for my own protection. Guys are jealous of me and are competing for girls' attention, but I'm grateful to God for my blessings.
Tell 'em mi nuh fear two face expression guy fi do
Dutty mouth caan trace nor dettol mi hear dem chat
Let them know I'm not afraid of people who talk behind my back. They can't prove anything and their words can't harm me.
And ah seh dem waan mi head pon block but! mi bun di
Fire til it wet pon dat you betta help poor people
Would dem beg pon block else you si you dutty heart
You ah guh dead from dat see it, now dem ah seh mi
Marked fi death and each! time mi walk dem seh mi walk
Fi death you see it, dem lock mi dung now and mi caan
Forget cah Jehovah did ah guide mi seh mi nah regret
Jah
People want me dead, but I fight back with everything I've got. I help those in need, unlike those who only beg for their own gain. They'll only end up hurting themselves with their dirty intentions. They've put me in a difficult situation, but I'll never forget that God is guiding me and I won't have any regrets.
Mek we special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan
Pree mi fi gal and dem waan chase like petal but jah
Let's be unique and valuable, which is why I carry a gun for my own protection. Guys are jealous of me and are competing for girls' attention, but I'm grateful to God for my blessings.
Jackie and steven ah di swine fa! informa si too much
Dat dem blind fa! one plate ah food dem sell out mankind
Fa! guess you have di yearn suh weh di bag ah badmind fa
Jackie and Steven are dirty informers who reveal too much to others. They will sell out anyone for their own gain, and they contribute to the downfall of humanity. They are consumed by jealousy and greed.
Mi sidestep dem dutty works suh how di fuck dem waan mi
Join fa! mi gi dem weh dem waan weh dem ah mix mi inna
Crime fa, ah di same thing warlord rise him nine fa
Every dutty work jah shall show dem a sign fa cause jah
I avoid getting involved in their dirty schemes, so why do they want me to join them? I'll give them what they want just to get them off my back. Crime is terrible, and even a warlord has to answer for his actions. In the end, God will show them the consequences of their wicked deeds.
Mek we special, I'm so special so special so special
Dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan
Pree mi fi gal and dem waan chase like petal but jah
Let's be unique and valuable, which is why I carry a gun for my own protection. Guys are jealous of me and are competing for girls' attention, but I'm grateful to God for my blessings.
Jah! mek we special, I'm so special so special so
Special dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan
Pree mi fi gal and dem waan chase like brother it's
A special delivery, dem waan mi live inna misery but
Dat they will never si special delivery, from my
Mother deliver mi ha ha I'm on di go, I'm on di go but
Dem badmind nuh waan fi stop mi though jah know, I'm on
Di go I'm on di go but! dem caan play mi like nuh poppy
Show cause jah! mek we special, I'm so special so special
So special dats why mi strap wid mi .45 special dem waan
Pree mi fi gal and dem waan chase like petal but jah
God, let's be unique and valuable, which is why I carry a gun for my own protection. Guys are jealous of me and constantly trying to bring me down, but they can't get the best of me. I've been blessed with a special destiny, and although people want me to fail, they can't keep me down. They're not able to play me like a fool, because I know my worth.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dave Kelly, David Constantine Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind