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.
Heart Beat
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just gonna let you know
(Girl you know)
Gangsta mi love you fi life
I can't believe
What I saw
This girl who made
My world spin around
When she passed me by
I want you to know
That I need you so000000
And baby girl
I wanna let you know
Girl you are my heart beat
Baby girl
Mi love you more than eva
Baby girl you are my heart beat
And I need to tell no lie
Girl you are my heart beat
Whenva time you pass my gate
Girl, I'm looking at you
If I was the judge in the court
Mi wouldda throw the book at yo
You look so smooth
Don't say I'm rude, girl
But, mi really want fi hold yo
Inna mi arms
Girl, I really need to control yo
Girl you are my heart beat
Need to tell no lie
Baby girl, I can't sleep, no
No no no
Baby girl you are my heart beat
Baby girl, I can't sleep
I can't sleep
When am I gonna have you for myself
Be sure that I, won't share with no one else
You to me
Is like a perfect harmony
That's how it should be
You and me
Create a happy family
You my heartbeat
Need to tell no lie
Listen to my speech
Baby girl, ma heart beat
Beat, beat
Baby girl
Heaven knows, God knows
Even mama knows, god knows, god knows. God knows
When anything
Wheneva time and I will be there
Call me, Call me girl
Cause you know you are my heartbeat
Baby girl listen to my speech
Can't sleep
The lyrics of Mavado's song "Heart Beat" reflect the intense feelings of love and adoration the singer has for a girl. The opening lines reveal that the singer is a gangster, but despite living dangerously, he is ready to express his love for the girl. The first verse describes how the girl turns the singer's world around when she passes him by. The lyrics express the singer's deep need for the girl, and his desire to hold her in his arms. The chorus repeats the line "girl you are my heart beat," emphasizing the importance of the girl to the singer's life. The second verse highlights how the singer cannot sleep, indicating that his love for the girl keeps him up at night. The bridge reveals that the singer desires to have the girl for himself and to create a happy family with her, emphasizing his long-term commitment to the relationship. The song ends with the singer urging the girl to call him whenever she needs him, suggesting that their love is boundless and enduring.
Overall, the lyrics of "Heart Beat" reflect Mavado's intense passion and the depth of his love for the girl. Despite his tough exterior and gangster persona, the lyrics reveal a sensitive and emotional side to the singer, emphasizing the power of love to transform even those living on the edge of society.
Line by Line Meaning
O yes girl
Acknowledging the presence of a girl
Just gonna let you know
Intending to communicate something
(Girl you know)
Addressing the girl
Gangsta mi love you fi life
Expressing love towards the girl
I can't believe
Feeling surprised
What I saw
Referring to something seen
With my two eyes
Suggesting personal observation
This girl who made
Referring to a particular girl
My world spin around
Describing the girl's impact on the singer's life
When she passed me by
Describing a specific moment
I want you to know
Indicating the desire to share something
That I need you so000000
Expressing the depth of feelings for the girl
And baby girl
Addressing the girl affectionately
I wanna let you know
Reiterating the desire to communicate something
Girl you are my heart beat
Comparing the girl to the singer's heart
Baby girl
Continuing to address the girl affectionately
Mi love you more than eva
Expressing an enduring and intense love
And I need to tell no lie
Emphasising the truthfulness of the previous statement
Girl you are my heart beat
Further emphasising the importance of the girl
Whenva time you pass my gate
Indicating that the girl can be easily found
Girl, I'm looking at you
Expressing interest in the girl
If I was the judge in the court
Making a hypothetical statement
Mi wouldda throw the book at yo
Implying that the girl is at fault for something
You look so smooth
Complimenting the girl's appearance
Don't say I'm rude, girl
Addressing the girl, suggesting that she might have been offended
But, mi really want fi hold yo
Expressing the desire to be physically close to the girl
Inna mi arms
Describing the desired physical closeness
Girl, I really need to control yo
Implying a level of possessiveness
Need to tell no lie
Stressing honesty
Baby girl, I can't sleep, no
Indicating that the girl's absence is affecting the singer's ability to sleep
When am I gonna have you for myself
Expressing the desire to have the girl to himself
Be sure that I, won't share with no one else
Emphasising exclusivity
You to me
Describing the relationship between the singer and the girl
Is like a perfect harmony
Comparing their relationship to something musically harmonious
That's how it should be
Expressing the belief that their relationship is ideal
Create a happy family
Expressing a desire for a future together as a family
Listen to my speech
Directing the girl to listen to what the singer has to say
Beat, beat
Referring to the sound of a heart beat
Heaven knows, God knows
Suggesting a higher power is aware of their relationship
Even mama knows, god knows, god knows
Emphasising that even the singer's mother is aware of the relationship
When anything
Implying the willingness to be there for the girl
Wheneva time and I will be there
Stating that the singer will be there whenever needed
Call me, Call me girl
Encouraging the girl to reach out
Cause you know you are my heartbeat
Reiterating the importance of the girl
Can't sleep
Referencing the singer's insomnia caused by thoughts of the girl
Contributed by Madelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.