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.
Last Night
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I-I- It Service
[Verse 1:]
Ah Nuh Seh Dem Nuh Wah, Seh Dem Nuh Wah
Tump Inna We Face But Di Fools Dem Cant
Mi Gi Dem Copper Fi Cha, Mi Nuh Shoot To Jah
Straight Head Shot Bwoy Get Murda
[Chorus:]
Mi Tell Dem Bout Di Gun Mi Buss Last Night
In The Pass Night Infa Red Pun Him Head Was The Last Him Coulda Fast Like Sizzla Fast Bike Him Get Ah Pretty Casket Yeah Di Glass Type
[Verse 2:]
Yeh Fuckin Cops Always Afta Mi
Kill Me If Dem Could
But I Didnt Let Dem Catch Mi
Grow Poor Now Mi Mek Mi Money Dem A Watch Mi
Si Mi Wid Mi Chain
And Dem A Wonda Weh Mi Watch Be
Want Fi Buss Mi Head
An Want Fi Mek Docta Cant Even Patch Mi
Bout A Born Mi Born A Nuh Woman Hen Hatch Mi
Tell Informa Mission Gun Mi Hav Di Factory
Swear Seh Dem Kill Mi D.N.A It Did Match Mi
[Verse 3:]
Tell Some Fool Sey Man Wi Corrida
Killa Five Star So Dat A Gorilla Eh Mine Yuh Mek Mi Rise Da Double Barrel Ya
Coppa In Yuh Face
Nah Go Trace,
Nah Go Coroner
Hey
Left Him Fucking Head, Pon Di Corrida
Den Mi Tek A Trip Go Breed Mi Gyal Over Florida
Hey
Man A Gangsta, Dem Seh Dem A Warrior
But Mi Know Seh Dem
A Fool Cause Dem A Gun Carrier
[x1]
The song Last Night by Mavado speaks about the reality and violence in his life. In the first verse, he claims that those who say they don't want a problem are the very ones who are causing problems. He also mentioned that he doesn't kill to receive punishment from God, rather, he gives a headshot to anyone who threatens him. The chorus emphasizes that he shot someone last night with an infrared device, giving him a gruesome death. The second verse talks about the police always being after him, but he's too smart for them. He's making a lot of money, and now they're wondering where he got his wealth. He also adds that he was born to be a killer and has a factory of guns at his disposal. Finally, the third verse mentions that he's a gangster, not a warrior, and those who think carrying a gun makes them tough are foolish. He's a five-star killer and can easily double-barrel anyone who crosses him.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah Nuh Seh Dem Nuh Wah, Seh Dem Nuh Wah
They say they don't want trouble, but they really do
Tump Inna We Face But Di Fools Dem Cant
They try to intimidate us, but they can't fool us
Mi Gi Dem Copper Fi Cha, Mi Nuh Shoot To Jah
I give them a warning shot, I don't want to kill anyone
Straight Head Shot Bwoy Get Murda
If they don't listen to the warning, I'll have to kill them
Mi Tell Dem Bout Di Gun Mi Buss Last Night
I'm telling them about the gun I fired last night
In The Pass Night Infa Red Pun Him Head
I used a laser sight on his head last night
Was The Last Him Coulda Fast Like Sizzla Fast Bike
It was the end for him, no escape
Him Get Ah Pretty Casket Yeah Di Glass Type
He ended up with a nice coffin, with glass on it
Yeh Fuckin Cops Always Afta Mi
The police are always after me
Kill Me If Dem Could
They would kill me if they could
But I Didnt Let Dem Catch Mi
But I won't let them catch me
Grow Poor Now Mi Mek Mi Money Dem A Watch Mi
Now that I'm rich, everyone is watching me
Si Mi Wid Mi Chain
They see me with my chain
And Dem A Wonda Weh Mi Watch Be
And they wonder where my watch is
Want Fi Buss Mi Head
They want to kill me
An Want Fi Mek Docta Cant Even Patch Mi
And make it so a doctor can't even save me
Bout A Born Mi Born A Nuh Woman Hen Hatch Mi
They say I was born from a chicken, not from a woman
Tell Informa Mission Gun Mi Hav Di Factory
I'm telling those who snitch on me that I have access to a lot of guns
Swear Seh Dem Kill Mi D.N.A It Did Match Mi
They claim they killed me, but they couldn't match my DNA
Tell Some Fool Sey Man Wi Corrida
I'm telling someone who thinks they can beat me
Killa Five Star So Dat A Gorilla
I'm a killer, and I'm strong like a gorilla
Eh Mine Yuh Mek Mi Rise Da Double Barrel Ya
Don't mess with me or I'll shoot you with my double-barrel shotgun
Coppa In Yuh Face
The police in your face
Nah Go Trace
I won't leave any trace behind
Nah Go Coroner
I won't end up in the morgue
Left Him Fucking Head, Pon Di Corrida
I left his head on the street
Den Mi Tek A Trip Go Breed Mi Gyal Over Florida
Then I went to Florida to see my girlfriend
Man A Gangsta, Dem Seh Dem A Warrior
Some claim to be gangsters, some claim to be warriors
But Mi Know Seh Dem A Fool Cause Dem A Gun Carrier
But I know they're foolish because they only carry guns
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ericashante9803
Still listening 2024
@Tvshow.Panama
De Panamá 🇵🇦 toda la vida seremos G4L
@jeffdidntkhs3945
🪖
@ShilohTurner-rb4yl
The Greatest Dancehall riddim of all times ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@NyanikarAlier
2024 is still on fire
@jujustone6728
Back when dancehall made sense.....love vado and forever will.
@balkanjoker8754
Mee to
@rasyay
Mavado still di best 🙅
@youngparadox555
Hard asf yo need this vibe back 🇯🇲😤
@nyaegaandrew3235
Mambo wii mambo waa 🔥🔥