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.
Don't Cry
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gangster for life, mama dont cry
No no no no no no no eh
Mama even if dem kill me dont cry
Dem can neva take dis g from me
Me ah prepare fi mi enemy
Wey si mi wid mi things and warn try tek di key from me
Mi know none of dem never build me
Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill me ehhh
Born from di gully an mi never choose it
We never come si no riches only music
Just like di African shaka and the congo music
Di rasta man dem bun dem fire aider gansta music
I man have fi mek a living fi mi family
Need to give some money to my mummy
But tru mi sing an weh dem ah do dem warn fi pressure mi
Unno lucky unno si di best ah mi
Mama even if dem kill me dont cry
Dey cry neva take dis g from me
Me ah prepare fi mi enemy
Wey si mi wid mi things and warn try tek di key from me
Mama even if dem kill mi dont cry
Mi know none of dem never build me
Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill me yeeee yeeee
Mi sing weh mi warn fi seh
But weh mi seh dem seh mi nah fi seh
Seh mi buy x amount of gun
Dat dem warn fi seh
Warn mi fingers spit up inner half
Ah dat dem warn fi seh
But fi tell dem fi suck dem mumma
Dat nah hard fi seh
Dem seh kill him cold dead
Dat dem warn fi seh
Gangsta would a rise up like a floor
Dat dem nah warn fi seh
Warn fi she no way
Mama even if dem kill me dont cry
Dey can neva take dis g from me
Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill mi
Nono
Mama Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill me
Mama even if dem kill mi
Protect me
Mama even ehh ehh
Dem ah study it
The song "Don't Cry" by Mavado is a message to his mother that even if he's killed, she doesn't have to cry. The song talks about his struggles and how he was born in the gully, and how he had to make a living for his family through music. He also talks about the pressure he's facing from people who don't want him to succeed and how they're trying to take away what he's worked for. Mavado reassures his mother that no one can take away his spirit, and that he'll always be with her. He's a gangster for life, and he's preparing for his enemies, but he knows that no one can take away what he's earned through hard work.
The lyrics of the song showcase Mavado's dedication and resilience, and his determination to overcome adversity. He talks about how he's never had it easy, but he's always fought to make a better life for himself and his family. The song is a powerful message to his fans that no matter what challenges they're facing, they can rise above them and make something of themselves. Mavado's lyrics are insightful and heartfelt, and he delivers them with a raw and powerful energy that resonates with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Ehhhh burn bad mind in this time
Let's destroy negative thoughts in our current era
Gangster for life, mama don't cry
I am a lifelong gangster, mother, don't cry for me
Mama even if dem kill me don't cry
Mother, don't shed tears for me even if I am killed
Dem can neva take dis g from me
They can't take the respect I've earned in the streets
Me ah prepare fi mi enemy
I'm readying myself for any opponents
Wey si mi wid mi things and warn try tek di key from me
Seeing me with my possessions, they are warned not to try and take them from me
Mi know none of dem never build me
None of them had any part in making me who I am
Born from di gully an mi never choose it
I was born in poverty and I didn't have a choice in the matter
We never come si no riches only music
We didn't have wealth, just music to sustain us
Just like di African shaka and the congo music
Like the African warrior Shaka Zulu, our music has power
Di rasta man dem bun dem fire aider gansta music
The Rastafarians burn the fire of truth against gangsta music
I man have fi mek a living fi mi family
I need to make a living for my family
Need to give some money to my mummy
I need to give some money to my mother
But tru mi sing an weh dem ah do dem warn fi pressure mi
Because of my singing, they try to put pressure on me
Unno lucky unno si di best ah mi
You are lucky to witness the best of me
Mi sing weh mi warn fi seh
I sing what I want to say
But weh mi seh dem seh mi nah fi seh
But when I say it, they tell me not to speak
Seh mi buy x amount of gun
They say I bought an extreme amount of guns
Dat dem warn fi seh
That's something they warn me not to say
Warn mi fingers spit up inner half
They warn me that my fingers will break from firing so much
Ah dat dem warn fi seh
That's what they warn me not to say
But fi tell dem fi suck dem mumma
But to tell them to go and insult their mothers is easy
Dat nah hard fi seh
That's not difficult to say at all
Dem seh kill him cold dead
They say to kill him without hesitation
Dat dem warn fi seh
That's something they warn me not to say
Gangsta would a rise up like a floor
The gangsters would rise up like a floor
Dat dem nah warn fi seh
That's something they don't warn me about
Protect me
Mother, keep me safe
Dem ah study it
They are analyzing it
Contributed by Charlotte L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carlossmith2922
2018
"Don't Cry"
Ehhhh burn bad mind in this time
Gangster for life, mama dont cry
No no no no no no no eh
Mama even if dem kill me dont cry
Dem can neva take dis g from me
Me ah prepare fi mi enemy
Wey si mi wid mi things and warn try tek di key from me
Mama even if dem kill mi dont cry
Mi know none of dem never build me
Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill me ehhh
Born from di gully an mi never choose it
We never come si no riches only music
just like di African shaka and the congo music
Di rasta man dem bun dem fire aider gansta music
I man have fi mek a living fi mi family
Need to give some money to my mummy
But tru mi sing an weh dem ah do dem warn fi pressure mi
Unno lucky unno si di best ah mi
Mama even if dem kill me dont cry
Dey cry neva take dis g from me
Me ah prepare fi mi enemy
Wey si mi wid mi things and warn try tek di key from me
Mama even if dem kill mi dont cry
Mi know none of dem never build me
Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill me yeeee yeeee
Mi sing weh mi warn fi seh
But weh mi seh dem seh mi nah fi seh
Seh mi buy x amount of gun
dat dem warn fi seh
Warn mi fingers spit up inner half
Ah dat dem warn fi seh
But fi tell dem fi suck dem mumma
Dat nah hard fi seh
Dem seh kill him cold dead
Dat dem warn fi seh
Gangsta would a rise up like a floor
Dat dem nah warn fi seh
Warn fi she no way
Mama even if dem kill me dont cry
Dey can neva take dis g from me
Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill mi
Nono
Mama Even if dem kill mi
Even if dem kill me
Mama even if dem kill mi
Protect me
Mama even ehh ehh
Dem ah study it
P🇵🇦N🇵🇦M🇵🇦
@teasamuels9127
RIP to movado mum
I've always love this song
@amorgan233
Mavado all of your songs are #1. A voice that is blessed by the gift of King David.
@jaynexxmusic7174
And thats facts..alot of hits songs
@head_bussa
You can tell Mavado listen to 2pac I can hear some of pac lyrics in is song.
@nativekhanbrian5211
Gully side!!!! Loud banger 2020
This man has such great meaning to his songs since he's from the Gully Main city in Jamaica, "humble music"🏅💀⚰🔫
@la.fulana0435
who active in 2022?🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
@blkndna1374
This song remains timeless.. 🔥🔥🔥
@keneilshaw3696
THIS SONG IS VERY INSPIRING A SWEAR GANGSTA FOR LIFE!!!!
@sawyerjames3376
s
@sawyerjames3376
Keneil Shaw dae