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.
BIG LEAGUE
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yea a the big league
Right now mi a live my life
And you know seh mi life real
Is a big league
Wooy is a big league
Is a big league
Now wi up in a the big league
Right now mi thing up like seven
And dem cyaa see the I drop
Red eye bwoy weh a watch out mi business
Dem need likkle eye drops
Dem a seh the Gaad reach down a yard
And if mi cyaa fly back
Bomboclaat man a laugh after dem
Gully bigger than the pilot
Every ghetto youth know
Wi nuh change how wi grow
We just need likkle doe
Live mi life like a show
All man need a the bing, bing
Successful like a the inthing
Then how the fuck mi fi stop sing
Mi naw stop, then mi move to the acting
Is a big league
Yea a the big league
Right now mi a live my life
And you know seh mi life real
Is a big league
Wooy is a big league
Is a big league
From nothing to something
Now wi up in a the big league
Now am back see the fake dem deh
Point blank mi nuh rate dem deh
Dem cry mi a river in a lake dem deh
Seh dem never do me wrong but a snake dem deh
Castro a weh Chase dem seh
Jamaica waan see mi face deh seh
When you see the Garrison a fi mi place dem deh
Zoom roll out the Jaguar wid the brakes
Tell dem man rich before 30
My millions dirty
When you see the Gully Gaad a travel earthly
Shofer driving no police nuh search mi
All man need a the bing, bing
Need a the bing, bing
All Zoom need a the bing, bing
Is a big league
Yea a the big league
Right now mi a live my life
And you know seh mi life real
Is a big league
Wooy is a big league
Is a big league
From nothing to something
Now wi up in a the big league
Is a big league
Yea a the big league
Right now mi a live my life
And you know seh mi life real
Is a big league
Wooy is a big league
Is a big league
From nothing to something
Now wi up in a the big league
"Mavado's Big League" celebrates the singer's rise from poverty to stardom. The song speaks to his success and status in the music industry. He repeatedly emphasizes that he is now living in the "big league." The chorus of the song is very simple and catchy, featuring the phrase "Is a big league" as the main hook.
Throughout the song, Mavado reflects on his past struggles and the journey that led him to success. He touches on the envy and criticism he has faced from others who are jealous of his accomplishments. Despite the setbacks and obstacles he has faced, Mavado remains determined to keep moving forward and achieving greater success.
The verse also mentions his entourage ("Zoom") and encourages people to pursue their dreams with the same hard work and dedication that has helped him to succeed. Overall, the lyrics of "Big League" convey a sense of pride in one's accomplishments while acknowledging the challenges that come with success.
Line by Line Meaning
Is a big league
It's a high level of success
Yea a the big league
Yes, it is the big leagues
Right now mi a live my life
I am currently living my life to the fullest
And you know seh mi life real
And you know that my life is authentic and genuine
From nothing to something
From poverty to wealth
Now wi up in a the big league
Now we have made it to the top level of success
Wooy is a big league
Wow, it is a high level of success
Right now mi thing up like seven
Right now, my situation is very good
And dem cyaa see the I drop
And they cannot bring me down
Red eye bwoy weh a watch out mi business
Jealous people who are trying to interfere with my success
Dem need likkle eye drops
They need help with their jealousy
Dem a seh the Gaad reach down a yard
They say that I have become successful even in my hometown
And if mi cyaa fly back
And if I cannot return home
Bomboclaat man a laugh after dem
People will laugh at them
Gully bigger than the pilot
The Gully side (where Mavado is from) is more successful than the pilot (the person who is flying the plane)
Every ghetto youth know
Every young person in the ghetto is aware
Wi nuh change how wi grow
We have not changed our ways of growing up
We just need likkle doe
We just need a little money
Live mi life like a show
Living my life as if it is a performance
All man need a the bing, bing
We all need success
Successful like a the inthing
Being successful is the trend
Then how the fuck mi fi stop sing
Then how could I stop singing?
Mi naw stop, then mi move to the acting
I will not stop singing, but I will also start acting
Now am back see the fake dem deh
Now that I am successful, I can see where the fake people are
Point blank mi nuh rate dem deh
Honestly, I do not value them
Dem cry mi a river in a lake dem deh
They are crying over something insignificant
Seh dem never do me wrong but a snake dem deh
They claim they did not do me wrong, but they are actually dishonest
Castro a weh Chase dem seh
I do not know what Chase (a person) is telling Castro (another person) about me
Jamaica waan see mi face deh seh
Jamaica wants to see me there
When you see the Garrison a fi mi place dem deh
When you see the ghetto, that is where I belong
Zoom roll out the Jaguar wid the brakes
Zoom (a person) is driving a Jaguar with brakes
Tell dem man rich before 30
Tell them that I became rich before the age of 30
My millions dirty
My money is not clean
When you see the Gully Gaad a travel earthly
When you see me (the Gully Gaad) travelling on earth
Shofer driving no police nuh search mi
The driver is not being searched by the police
Contributed by Adeline D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
shortstack
This is not a song, it is an anthem!
TerribleTowel
@Akeem Joseph p
Hakeen Dulcio
U too badmine bout a nuh song if a nuh song wah then lone mi ariste
paul taylor
@Akeem Joseph l
Akeem Joseph
Big up...God..upp!!
Ale B
shortstack 🔥🔥
Dmoney407
This dude really makes music so effortlessly. very Talented.
Erick Gates
Its a big league
Purpose With Angelina
It's true. I love him.
tameka skyers
@Andrew Hinds 0000