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.
Dying Feat. Serani
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa wooh ooh
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa wooh ooh
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa wooh ooh
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa wooh ooh
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa wooh ooh
Back in penitentiary
Long gone misery
Left me alone, I grew up
Amongst the mad breed
So my mind
Couldn't find a place to rest
With me got this thug plaque
Tattoo on my chest
Nigga never sleep
When am living in da past
Stare in the lights
Mi pop off and first to blast
He knew my father
He was a gangsta in the streets
But now hes gone
Mi deh ya so still a plead
Till him rest in peace
Now am heading for the treach
I remember me
So many homies in the cemetery
Seem as if I am a missionary
But when am gone
Know my momma
Gonna cry for me
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Take me away
From all the pressure
And all the pain,
Show me some happiness again
I'm going blind
I spend my time down stairs
I live in bed
You know my destiny is hell
But till I fear
My mind is so misleading
I couldn't see
I gotta brain full of demons
Tryin' to break free
I know one day
When, (Ay)
But when I die
I be steppin' with my father
And the most high w
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
No one knows my struggle
They don't know my trouble
Son you must go on
Because ya momma love you
They don't wanna see me rich
They wanna see me poor
Gangsta 4 life, I see you running
Sing some more
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Dying
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
In "Dying," Mavado chronicles the treacherous life of a gangster who is constantly battling with his inner demons. He grew up in a broken home, with his father being a gangster who is no longer alive. Being raised amongst the mad breed left him without a place to rest his mind, and he's left with a brain full of demons tryin' to break free. He's been in and out of prison and has lost many of his friends who are buried in the cemetery. He fears his destiny is hell because of the life he's lived. However, he takes comfort in knowing that one day, he'll be reunited with his father and the most high.
Throughout the song, Mavado speaks candidly about the harsh realities of a gangster's life. His lyrics are filled with pain, lamentations, and regret. He's aware that he's on a path of self-destruction, but seems to lack the willpower to change his ways. He's aware that he's headed for the treach, but carries on, believing that his fate is sealed.
"Dying" is a poignant expression of the pain that so many young men, especially African American men, experience. Mavado's lyrics are filled with insights, articulating the difficulties of living a life of crime without holding back. His words cut deep, offering a glimpse into the psyche of people trapped in a cycle of poverty, crime, and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, yea yea yea, Wa ooh ooh
Repetitive chorus emphasizing the feeling of dying and longing for relief from the pain and pressure of life.
Back in penitentiary
Reflecting back to a time of imprisonment and hardship.
Long gone misery
The feeling of deep sadness and pain that seems to have never left.
Left me alone, I grew up
Being abandoned and forced to mature at an early age.
Amongst the mad breed
Surrounded by people who are violent and out of control.
So my mind
Mental state that has been affected by the environment.
Couldn't find a place to rest
No peace of mind and nowhere to escape the turmoil.
With me got this thug plaque
Tattoo symbolizing the life of a criminal.
Tattoo on my chest
Pride in the gangster lifestyle.
Nigga never sleep
Always vigilant and ready for anything.
When am living in da past
Unable to move forward from past traumas.
Stare in the lights
Feeling paranoid and constantly on edge.
Mi pop off and first to blast
Quick to react aggressively.
He knew my father
Relationship with a father who was also involved in crime.
He was a gangsta in the streets
Father was a seasoned criminal.
But now hes gone
Father has passed away.
Mi deh ya so still a plead
Still asking for guidance from a departed father figure.
Till him rest in peace
Wishing peace for the father's soul.
Now am heading for the treach
Continuing on a path of danger and trouble.
I remember me
Looking back at personal history.
So many homies in the cemetery
Seeing the cost of the gangster lifestyle with so many friends dead.
Seem as if I am a missionary
Feeling like one of the few left who are still alive and needing to survive.
But when am gone
Knowing that death is inevitable.
Know my momma
Acknowledging the impact that personal choices have on family and loved ones.
Gonna cry for me
How loved ones will grieve once the dying process has been completed.
Take me away
Asking for relief from the hardships of life.
From all the pressure
Desiring freedom from the weight of daily obstacles.
And all the pain
Escaping the physical and emotional pain of existence.
Show me some happiness again
Longing for joy and positivity in life.
I'm going blind
Being unaware of how to improve a difficult situation.
I spend my time down stairs
Avoiding the outside world and isolating oneself from society.
I live in bed
Living a sedentary and unproductive lifestyle.
You know my destiny is hell
Feeling trapped in a doomed existence.
But till I fear
Still feeling anxiety and uncertainty about the future.
My mind is so misleading
Being unsure about the accuracy of one's own thoughts and mental state.
I couldn't see
Being blind to the actual reality of one's situation.
I gotta brain full of demons
Mental demons and inner demons that are never at rest.
Tryin' to break free
Struggling to find a way out of a difficult situation.
I know one day
Believing that there is an end to the suffering.
When, (Ay)
Asking when this end will come.
But when I die
Knowing that death is the ultimate release from a painful life.
I be steppin' with my father
Reuniting with a father figure who was also a gangsta.
And the most high w
Meeting with a higher power after death.
No one knows my struggle
Feeling misunderstood and alone in one's hardships.
They don't know my trouble
Others cannot begin to comprehend the depth of difficulty one is facing.
Son you must go on
Encouraging oneself to keep moving forward despite the pain and challenges.
Because ya momma love you
A reminder that loved ones want to see the best for oneself.
They don't wanna see me rich
Others do not have genuine care for one's wellbeing and success.
They wanna see me poor
Others may wish ill will or sabotage one's chances of success.
Gangsta 4 life, I see you running
Acknowledgement of the enduring lifestyle and struggle that comes with being a gangsta.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Craig Harrisingh, Craig Serani Marsh, David Harrisingh, David Constantine Brooks, Craig Marsh, David Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind