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.
Gully Side
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No no no, mi deh ya, mi deh ya same way yeh
Mi Nuh Gone Nuh Weh
Dem lose again yo
[Chorus:]
Yo di gangsta deh ya pon di gully side
If you wah no weh fi fine me
B cah dem si to much dem fi avoid we
Dats why mi deh ya pon di gully side
If you wah no weh fi fine me
Gi pagon gun shot and mek dem holey side
Cah dem si to much dem fi avoid we
[Verse 1:]
From weh deh me here some ah talk seh
God no dats why me seh dem chat to much
So mi tell dem goh clean up dem heart yeh
Because dem bad man and dem dam corupt
You ah hear mi mek we keep the music real
Cah mi nuh wah fi turn it inna battle field
Because ah if ah real war we nuh response
Gangsta's ah rise K's and beat uo the 6 pans
But mi nuh wah fi kill di music bredda
Mek we focus and mek we try fi build the music bredda but it seem's like Ah war dem redda
So mi stay one side and low dem
[Chorus:]
Dats why mi deh ya pon di gully side
If you wah no weh fi fine me
Shoot informa mek dem holey side
B cah dem si to much dem fi avoid we
Dats why mi deh ya pon di gully side
If you wah no weh fi fine me
Gi pagon gun shot and mek dem holey side
Cah dem si to much dem fi avoid we
[Verse 2:]
Da sega rember wen mi never have nuthin
Now ah music mi come sing the vibes mi bring
And now mi have suhum
Now mi buy mi mama anyting
So mi mek some hits and mi mek some money and gi ar everyting
Now mi ah goh tru many tings
Cah everyting weh gwan di media blame mi fi everyting
Mi havfi wonder wat is happening
If ah soh dem wah fi stop ah uwot
Wen ah uwot rising
[Chorus:]
Mi deh ya pon di gully side
If you wah no weh fi fine me
Shoot informa mek dem holey side
B cah dem si to much dem fi avoid we
Dats why mi deh ya pon di gully side
If you wah no weh fi fine me
Gi pagon gun shot and mek dem holey side
Cah dem si to much dem fi avoid we
[x1]
In "Gully Side," Mavado is stating that he is still present and active in the musical industry. He is keeping himself connected to his roots, refusing to be whisked away by the temptation of fame, fortune, and corruption. The chorus emphasizes this and warns against anyone who might try to impede his progress or success. Mavado is rooted in loyalty, and this is evident from the title of the song, which refers to his upbringing in the gully side of Kingston.
Mavado acknowledges the rumors that have been circulating about him and other artists, and he urges others to clean up their acts. He is aware of the often-violent content of some tracks and alludes to the possibility of violence. However, he makes it clear that he does not wish for this and hopes to avoid any form of confrontation or war. He is aware that the media is quick to judge and may blame him for anything that occurs. He understands that success brings its own risks and challenges, and he faces these head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi Nuh Gone Nuh Weh
No no no, mi deh ya, mi deh ya same way yeh. I haven't gone anywhere, I'm right here.
Mi Nuh Gone Nuh Weh
Dem lose again yo. They lost again.
Yo di gangsta deh ya pon di gully side
If you want to find me, the gangster is on the gully side.
If you wah no weh fi fine me
If you want to know where to find me.
Shoot informa mek demm holey side
Shoot the informer and make them regret being on our side.
B cah dem si to much dem fi avoid we
Because they see too much, they need to stay away from us.
Dats why mi deh ya pon di gully side
That's why I am here on the gully side.
Gi pagon gun shot and mek dem holey side
Give them a shotgun shot and make them regret being on our side.
From weh deh me here some ah talk seh
From what I hear, some people are talking too much nonsense.
God no dats why me seh dem chat to much
They don't know God, that's why they talk too much.
So mi tell dem goh clean up dem heart yeh
So I tell them to go clean their hearts.
Because dem bad man and dem dam corupt
Because they are bad men and corrupt.
You ah hear mi mek we keep the music real
Listen to me, let's keep the music real.
Cah mi nuh wah fi turn it inna battle field
Because I don't want it to turn into a battlefield.
Because ah if ah real war we nuh response
Because if it's a real war, we won't respond.
Gangsta's ah rise K's and beat uo the 6 pans
Gangsters rise with guns and beat up their opponents.
But mi nuh wah fi kill di music bredda
But I don't want to kill my music brothers.
Mek we focus and mek we try fi build the music bredda but it seem's like Ah war dem redda
Let's focus and try to build the music, but it seems like they want war.
So mi stay one side and low dem
So I stay on one side and avoid them.
Da sega rember wen mi never have nuthin
This saga remembers when I had nothing.
Now ah music mi come sing the vibes mi bring
Now I come with music and the vibes I bring.
And now mi have suhum
And now I have something.
Now mi buy mi mama anyting
Now I can buy anything for my mother.
So mi mek some hits and mi mek some money and gi ar everyting
So I make some hits and I make some money and give her everything.
Now mi ah goh tru many tings
Now I am going through many things.
Cah everyting weh gwan di media blame mi fi everyting
Because everything that happens, the media blames me for everything.
Mi havfi wonder wat is happening
I have to wonder what is happening.
If ah soh dem wah fi stop ah uwot
If that's how they want to stop me from rising.
Wen ah uwot rising
When I am rising.
Contributed by Christian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.