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.
Amazing Grace
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ANYWAAAAY
Real patriot!
[Chorus:]
Amazing grace
Shot fly tru face,
The bwoy dem a trace
Have the K's dem in case,
Dem try fi escape
None cyaa escape
When mi gun blaze
[Verse 1:]
My war is like no orda,
When mi dun dem nave no sista, no broda
Should a hear the bwoy scream and say oh mama!
Mi bus the camel back wit no hamma
Body lef pon tar wid no anna
Lef headless and speechless, nave no grama
Gaaaangsta fa life me a di war planna
My AK spit shot like karl Banner
So dont FUCK around unnu wil DEAD
Mi eva strap wid mi gun wid 1 ina head
Hear mi seh mek a nex talk 1 inya dead
Memba fi pick it up ina MADDEN'S bed
Di informaz tell di cops seh mi evil
How me vigle it love murda people
How mi mek 2 much drive by ina vehicle
Dem see body drop an run out like a diesel
[Chorus:]
Amazing grace
Shot fly tru face,
The bwoy dem a trace
Shoot up dem base
Have the K's dem in case,
Dem try fi escape
None cyaa escape
When mi gun blaze
[Verse 2:]
Mi deh ya pon di danger zone
An annuh me alone strap wid mi crome
Who fi get sen home affi get sen home
Dem a fight fi throne
Coppa to dem dome
Rise season to bone
Mi nuh STALONE but mi shoot man fi cheap like Malone
Am a FUCKIN patriot
Likle feisty rat watch yuh feisty chat
Coppa to yuh face from mi ace glock
Him raise fi drop
Spine out, mi business, all him tongue and all him ears fi drop
Am a snipa so mi nuh waste mi shot
Plus the bwoy weh sell mi out nah go live fi collect
Sen mi son pon di works an di bullet connect
A di fus dem see a death like dat ina di planet
Di man weh work a di morgue see it an affi vomit
Plus di gun weh mi a bus it have the red light pon it
An di riffle wit the light brite like a head light pon it
When it buss ina yuh face yuh meet yuh deat light from it
Bumbo-ole go violate mek him swalla a clip
Amazing grace,
Di bwoy dem a trace
Shoot up dem base
Ha ha ha haa ha ha
Amazing grace!
Gunz in conference
Murda dem fi less dan 1 cent
Mi nuh leave nuh evidence
Fool, run lef him residence
Uptown am DI MADAFUKIN President
Hahahahhahhahhaaaaaaaaaaa
The song "Amazing Grace" by Mavado is a violent and aggressive track that talks about gang warfare and killings, as well as Mavado's patriotism to his gang. The chorus of the song involves the use of guns, with "shot fly tru face" indicating killing someone with a bullet to the face. It's a threat to those who oppose him and a warning to anyone who will try to escape, as no one can run away from the gun blazing.
The first verse talks about the brutality of Mavado's war against his enemies, with references to the screams of people who have been shot, and bodies left behind without a family. Mavado's weapon of choice is an AK, which he uses to gun down his enemies without mercy. He also talks about his willingness to kill informants, with connecting his killings to the Madden's bed, demonstrating his ruthlessness.
The second verse continues with the themes presented in the first, with more references to violence and aggression. Mavado talks about his position in the hierarchy of his gang, and how he is willing to kill anyone who opposes his rule. There is also a reference to his son, indicating that Mavado's lifestyle of violence and gang activity is affecting the younger generation.
Overall, "Amazing Grace" is a song that glorifies violence and gang culture, providing an insight into the harsh realities of people living in deprived circumstances. Mavado uses his lyrics as a reflection of what is happening in his community, and although violent, they provide an interesting commentary on the issues surrounding gang culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Amazing grace
The deadly accuracy of my gunshots is awe-inspiring
Shot fly tru face,
I am a skilled marksman, and my bullets hit their targets
The bwoy dem a trace
My enemies are constantly under surveillance, and tracked by my crew
Shoot up dem base
I and my associates will launch a devastating attack on all facets of their operations
Have the K's dem in case,
We have multiple assault rifles ready to go at a moment's notice
Dem try fi escape
My victims will try their best to get away from the gunfire
None cyaa escape
While some try to flee, no one can ultimately escape their fate
When mi gun blaze
The sound and fury of my gunshots is deafening
My war is like no orda,
My approach to the conflict is wholly unique
When mi dun dem nave no sista, no broda
When I am done, the enemy will be left with no family members
Should a hear the bwoy scream and say oh mama!
The pain I inflict on my victims is excruciating
Mi bus the camel back wit no hamma
I am able to cause catastrophic damage without needing to reload
Body lef pon tar wid no anna
I leave behind only lifeless bodies, with no chance of survival
Lef headless and speechless, nave no grama
The victims are often dismembered, can no longer speak, and have no one left to grieve for them
Gaaaangsta fa life me a di war planna
I have been and will always be a gangster and military strategist
My AK spit shot like karl Banner
My AK-47 fires rapidly and violently, like a chain gun used by the military
So dont FUCK around unnu wil DEAD
Do not try to provoke me or my associates, or you will be killed
Mi eva strap wid mi gun wid 1 ina head
I always carry a loaded gun, with a bullet in the chamber
Di informaz tell di cops seh mi evil
The informants report to the police that I am a ruthless and evil person
How me vigle it love murda people
They report that I apparently enjoy killing others
How mi mek 2 much drive by ina vehicle
They also inform the police that I am responsible for many drive-by shootings
Dem see body drop an run out like a diesel
When my foes see my victims fall to the ground, they scatter in all directions like they are bereft of fuel
Mi deh ya pon di danger zone
I am constantly in a position of great peril
An annuh me alone strap wid mi crome
But I am not alone; I always have my gun with me
Who fi get sen home affi get sen home
Those who are meant to be eliminated will indeed meet their end
Dem a fight fi throne
The enemy is battling for supremacy
Coppa to dem dome
I will strike them with a fatal blow to the head
Rise season to bone
I am ruthless and will spare no one
Mi nuh STALONE but mi shoot man fi cheap like Malone
I may not be Sylvester Stallone, but I am just as deadly, and will kill anyone for a low price
Am a FUCKIN patriot
I consider myself to be a patriot, although my actions may not align with mainstream views
Likle feisty rat watch yuh feisty chat
My enemies must be cautious of what they say around me, lest they provoke me to violence
Coppa to yuh face from mi ace glock
I will shoot a lethal bullet into their face with my trusted Glock firearm
Him raise fi drop
They will flail for a moment before collapsing to the ground
Spine out, mi business, all him tongue and all him ears fi drop
Their spine will be completely shattered, and their tongue and ears will be severely damaged or destroyed altogether
Am a snipa so mi nuh waste mi shot
I am precise with my shooting, and do not squander my ammunition
Plus the bwoy weh sell mi out nah go live fi collect
Those who betray me will meet their end and never have the chance to collect their reward
Sen mi son pon di works an di bullet connect
I am willing to involve my own son in order to carry out a successful hit against my enemies
A di fus dem see a death like dat ina di planet
The way I kill is so striking and violent that it is rare to see anything like it anywhere in the world
Di man weh work a di morgue see it an affi vomit
Even the people who work in the morgue must be sickened by the brutal and gruesome nature of my killings
Plus di gun weh mi a bus it have the red light pon it
The gun I use to commit murder has a laser sight that glows red
An di riffle wit the light brite like a head light pon it
My rifle has a bright light attached to it, resembling the headlight of a car
When it buss ina yuh face yuh meet yuh deat light from it
There is no escaping when I shoot at your face, you will be met with the light of death
Bumbo-ole go violate mek him swalla a clip
Anyone who dares to cross or disregard me will have to swallow a bullet
Gunz in conference
My associates and I are heavily armed and discussing what our next move will be
Murda dem fi less dan 1 cent
We are willing to commit murder for any amount of money
Mi nuh leave nuh evidence
I am a master at covering my tracks and leaving no trace of my involvement
Fool, run lef him residence
Those who foolishly try to run from me will be hunted down and pulled from their homes
Uptown am DI MADAFUKIN President
I am the leader of my crew and the king of the streets in the upscale area of town
Hahahahhahhahhaaaaaaaaaaa
My power and the fear I instill in others is something to laugh about, and something that will never go away
Contributed by Savannah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.