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.
NUH TRUST FREN
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From dem nuh real yo fi shut dem off
Cause dem cyaa kill wi and laugh
Wi nah dead off
Cause wa, mi mother did tell mi nuh fi trust dem
()
The bible tell mi nuh fi trust friend
Because who to be trust and love
A dem first si yuh and grudge
(1)
Is like dem have a dutty badmind and dem cyaa seet
Is like a yuh meck dem cyaa sleep
Is like a yuh meck dem cyaa eat
Dem all a grudge yuh fi the leather paw yo car seat
But yo progressive in a life is like yo born fi it
Yo si yo goal and yo gone fi it
Ghetto yo born pon the concrete
And yo never sell yo soul and tek the wrong street
Wa meck yo special suh? Am so special suh
From badmind cyaa stop yuh yo special to
Am so special suh, am so special suh
Dem cyaa pull yo down let the special go
Dem nuh badder bad, dem badmind
Dem get the blessing and waste fi dem time
Mi si dem stop allot a youth shine
Try stop mine well a straight dollar coin
(Repeat)
(2)
Mi seh it in a dem blood
It in a dem blood
When the gully come down a dem a wash in a the flood
Every crab in a barrel and every hog in a the mud
Yo seet in a the hail field... it in a the hug
That's why a years now yo done wid dem friendship
If yuh a hot up dem head go look some fenzick
Real people cyaa tek pretend ship
And if a gyal a f another man mi haffi bench it
And if a guy a fassy hole let go the endz quick
Qully finger fast pon the chigger like the Benz quick
Bwoy duppy bat a flick, yeh mi do allot of it
And even if hi pack in a the gun yo know mi glock have it
(Repeat)
(Repeat)
(Repeat)
"Nuh Trust Fren" by Mavado is a song that talks about the importance of identifying fake friends and cutting them off. The song emphasizes that genuine friends are hard to find, and once you find them, you must hold onto them. The lyrics outline some of the key characteristics of fake friends, including bad advice, jealousy, and deceit. Mavado also emphasizes the need to stay true to oneself and not sell out for short-term gain. The lyrics suggest that while it may be tough to cut off fake friends, it is essential to do so to avoid being held back.
The lyrics in the second verse highlight the need to be careful about whom you trust. Mavado suggests that some people have bad intentions, and it is essential to identify them and cut them off. He believes that those who are jealous of your success will try to drag you down and hamper your progress. Mavado advises that you should not tolerate fake friendships as they will only lead to heartache and disappointment.
Overall, "Nuh Trust Fren" is a powerful song that urges listeners to be careful about who they let into their inner circle. The song emphasizes the importance of genuine friendships in life and suggests that cutting off fake friends is a vital step towards success.
Line by Line Meaning
Cut dem off, yuh fi cut dem off
You should cut off those people who are fake and not real.
From dem nuh real yo fi shut dem off
If they are not loyal and sincere, you should avoid them.
Cause dem cyaa kill wi and laugh
They cannot harm us and revel in it as we will not fall prey to their intentions.
Wi nah dead off
They will not be able to kill us.
Cause wa, mi mother did tell mi nuh fi trust dem
This is because my mother warned me not to trust such people.
The bible tell mi nuh fi trust friend
Similarly, even the Bible cautions us against trusting our friends.
Because who to be trust and love
It is hard to trust and love someone.
A dem first si yuh and grudge
Your friends might be the first ones to envy you and hold a grudge.
Is like dem have a dutty badmind and dem cyaa seet
It seems like they have an impure and scheming mind that does not allow them to rest.
Is like a yuh meck dem cyaa sleep
It is as if you are the reason they can't sleep peacefully.
Is like a yuh meck dem cyaa eat
There is no peace within them, even enough to eat.
Dem all a grudge yuh fi the leather paw yo car seat
They are jealous of your achievements and success and hold a grudge even for the leather seats in your car.
But yo progressive in a life is like yo born fi it
However, you are tenacious and good at moving ahead, and it seems like you were born to succeed.
Yo si yo goal and yo gone fi it
You are receptive, aware of your purpose, and work for it diligently.
Ghetto yo born pon the concrete
Regardless, you were born in the ghetto, living and fighting for yourself on the streets.
And yo never sell yo soul and tek the wrong street
Despite the struggles, you never resorted to compromising yourself and going on the wrong path.
Wa meck yo special suh? Am so special suh
What makes you so extraordinary? You are just special.
From badmind cyaa stop yuh yo special to
Your adversaries cannot halt your journey because you are unique and special.
Dem cyaa pull yo down let the special go
They cannot pull you down as you will thrive regardless of circumstances.
Dem nuh badder bad, dem badmind
They are not wicked or evil, but they are envious.
Dem get the blessing and waste fi dem time
They have opportunities and blessings, but they waste them due to their internal state.
Mi si dem stop allot a youth shine
These people hinder many youths from shining and succeeding in life.
Try stop mine well a straight dollar coin
They will try to halt my growth, but they can't because I have an unyielding motivation.
Mi seh it in a dem blood
Their innate nature is flawed, and they cannot help it.
When the gully come down a dem a wash in a the flood
When there's a catastrophe or problem, they are the ones affected the most.
Every crab in a barrel and every hog in a the mud
Every one of them is untrustworthy and not reliable.
Yo seet in a the hail field... it in a the hug
Even when you are in trouble or struggling, they are indifferent and unconcerned.
That's why a years now yo done wid dem friendship
This is why you are no longer friends with them for a long time.
If yuh a hot up dem head go look some fenzick
If your actions are aggravating them, go and find some remedy to decrease their irritation.
Real people cyaa tek pretend ship
Genuine and true people cannot deal with fake and contrived behavior.
And if a gyal a f another man mi haffi bench it
If a girl is cheating on me with another man, I will have to leave her.
And if a guy a fassy hole let go the endz quick
Likewise, if a guy is into homosexuality, it's better to leave that area or dodge him.
Qully finger fast pon the chigger like the Benz quick
My index finger moves swiftly like a Benz car when I pull out the trigger to shoot.
Bwoy duppy bat a flick, yeh mi do allot of it
I can easily flick out any random guy who annoys me or gets in my way like a ghost.
And even if hi pack in a the gun yo know mi glock have it
And even if they have a gun with them, I have my own glock to counter them.
Writer(s): Tarik Luke Johnston, Sheldon Lawrence
Contributed by Max C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
wlaa1
Another hit... They just keep on comin ..📀🎤💿
Bellicus Production
real song this song fi play over and over to the radio mash up
Dylan AUGUSTE
Mad tunee real talk
ravardo
GULLYGAD DI BADDEST OUTTA STREET !!!
Justin Hammin
Who clicks the thumbs down button to this tune?! fire..
wlaa1
Busy signal or bounty killer press the thumbs down button
Alpha Andriano
lmao they properly miss read and saw DIS I LIKE
Justin Hammin
Lol that was funny Montana Andriano
Tusilani Elliott
Welcome back Vado
OlokunSG1
fi real since the year start he went back to 07 08 mavado .