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.
Messiah
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woohhhhahah dem rise against mi valley of the shadow of death
I shall never fret
Dem mussi think seh dem cyan stop mi from since
One man mi fear
Right di Messiah
Mi a bwoy, believe inna prayer
All when shotta a fyah
All when mi nuh have no food no wata
Jah love mi never yet shorter
Mi a talk this for real all di pain mi a feel
Dem a kill wi sons and daughta
Tell dutty mind
Badmind fi fence wi
Dem coulda neva live fi bench wi
Cause to jah gi di praise fi I-shence of days
Yo wi basket nuh empty
And nuff time dem try fi tek mi
Muss through mi a live by far a dem see
Dem team up and try and try stop mi time
From mi mek mi [? ]
But a one man mi fear
A di fadda
Mi a bwoy, believe inna prayer
Mi step pon di bakklefield, without no shield
All when shotta a fyah
All when mi nuh have no food no wata
Jah love mi never yet shorter
Mi a talk this for real all di pain mi a feel
Dem a kill wi sons and daughta
Seh weh you waan seh
Di way you feel
Mi nuh beg fren so we coulda neva deal
From yuh try stop mi meal
Seem like you a send mi to di bakklefield
Press wey you waan press
A yuh a steal
Run wey you waan run, a yuh a wheel
Then straight up then coulda the way you feel
Man a soldier so mi coulda neva nail
One man mi fear
Right di Messiah
Mi a bwoy, believe inna prayer
Mi step pon di bakklefield, without no shield
All when shotta a fyah
All when mi nuh have no food no wata
Jah love mi never yet shorter
Mi a talk this for real all di pain mi a feel
Dem a kill wi sons and daughta
Tell dutty mind
Badmind fi fence wi
Dem coulda neva live fi bench wi
Cause to jah gi di praise fi I-shence of days
Yo wi basket nuh empty
And nuff time dem try fi tek mi
Muss through mi a live by far a dem see
Dem team up and try and try stop mi time
From mi mek mi [? ]
One man mi fear
Right di Messiah
Mi a bwoy, believe inna prayer
Mi step pon di bakklefield, without no shield
All when shotta a fyah
All when mi nuh have no food no wata
Jah love mi never yet shorter
Mi a talk this for real all di pain mi a feel
Dem a kill wi sons and daughta
In Mavado's song "Messiah," the singer talks about how he remains strong and unafraid despite facing difficult circumstances. He claims that those who rise against him in the "valley of the shadow of death" will not be able to stop him. He emphasizes that he relies on prayer and faith in this difficult time. Select lyrics in the song suggest that individuals are attempting to kill his friends and family, but he remains steadfast in his beliefs.
The chorus emphasizes that he fears only one man, the Messiah, and that he will continue to move forward without fear or a shield, even when faced with bullets and no food or water. Mavado is telling those who are trying to oppress him that they will never succeed because he is protected by a higher force. Throughout the song, he speaks out, telling "badmind" individuals to back off and that he will always remain committed to his beliefs.
"Messiah" is an empowering song that speaks to the idea of overcoming adversity and staying true to oneself. It is a reminder to those who are facing hardships that there is always hope and that faith can guide one through challenging times.
Line by Line Meaning
Selassie I
Acknowledging the divine presence of Selassie I.
Woohhhhahah dem rise against mi valley of the shadow of death
Mavado's enemies try to attack him relentlessly.
I shall never fret
Mavado will never be afraid of them.
Dem mussi think seh dem cyan stop mi from since
Mavado thinks that they believe they can stop him from achieving his goals.
One man mi fear
There is only one man whom Mavado fears.
Right di Messiah
This man is the Messiah.
Mi a bwoy, believe inna prayer
Mavado is a boy and believes in prayer.
Mi step pon di bakklefield, without no shield
Mavado goes into battle without any protection.
All when shotta a fyah
Even when bullets are flying around him.
All when mi nuh have no food no wata
Even when he does not have basic necessities like food and water.
Jah love mi never yet shorter
God's love for Mavado has never diminished.
Mi a talk this for real all di pain mi a feel
Mavado is speaking the truth and sharing the pain he feels.
Dem a kill wi sons and daughta
Mavado's enemies are killing his people.
Tell dutty mind
Talking to those with negative and impure thoughts.
Badmind fi fence wi
Their negative thoughts seek to fence Mavado in.
Dem coulda neva live fi bench wi
They will never live to see Mavado fail.
Cause to jah gi di praise fi I-shence of days
Giving praise to God, who has been here since the beginning of time.
Yo wi basket nuh empty
Their baskets are never empty.
And nuff time dem try fi tek mi
They have tried to take him down multiple times.
Muss through mi a live by far a dem see
Mavado has been able to live despite their attempts to stop him.
Dem team up and try and try stop mi time
His enemies have teamed up to try and halt his progress.
From mi mek mi [? ]
Unknown lyrics.
Seh weh you waan seh
Say what you want to say.
Di way you feel
Express your emotions.
Mi nuh beg fren so we coulda neva deal
Mavado does not need fake friends.
From yuh try stop mi meal
If you try to stop him from eating.
Seem like you a send mi to di bakklefield
It is like you are sending him to battle.
Press wey you waan press
Press him if you want to.
A yuh a steal
You are responsible for your own actions.
Run wey you waan run, a yuh a wheel
You are in control of your own destiny.
Then straight up then coulda the way you feel
Be honest about your feelings.
Man a soldier so mi coulda neva nail
Mavado is a soldier, so you cannot bring him down easily.
Writer(s): Organ Score: Warren Hutton, Mary Lou Robinson, G. F. Handel Copyright: G. Schirmer Inc.
Contributed by Sophie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.