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.
Peppa
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mi hot to much inna dah one yah
Yu zeen
So all dem ah talk, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem ah play man, ah, pepper
Wen di starbwoy walk, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem, ah, play man, ah, pepper
Ah, coulda day, coulda dark, man, ah, steppa
Di gully never buyout no chart mi know better
Ketchup dem, ah, play, man, ah, pepper
Bramma, mi hot fi dem
Dem ah use some style that is not fi dem
Di gully neva gone, mi back fi dem
And mi terrified like di nazi dem
Stephen, dem change up mi nuh wah see dem
Mi ah look, look, look and cyaa see dem
Dis whole world know mi ah di boss fi dem
Tell dem pass mi bet try loss me bet
So all dem ah talk, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem ah play man, ah, pepper
Wen di starbwoy walk, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem, ah, play man, ah, pepper
Ah, coulda day, coulda dark, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem, ah, play, man, ah, pepper
Di gully never buyout no chart mi know better
Ketchup dem, ah, play, man, ah, pepper
Mama seh fi watch dem wid mi clothes and mi preacher
From yuh richer some of dem ah turn snitcher
Dem ah helicopter mi ah high plane drifter
Mi brain sicker from mi smoke pon dah spliff yah
Ah mi build mi house mi buy mi furniture
Mansion in di sky ah check di temperature
Fi all dirty heart send dem ah hell quicker
Mi love goes out to all mi well wisher
So all dem ah talk, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem ah play man, ah, pepper
Wen di starbwoy walk, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem, ah, play man, ah, pepper
Ah, coulda day, coulda dark, man, ah, steppa
Ketchup dem, ah, play, man, ah, pepper
Di gully never buyout no chart mi know better
Ketchup dem, ah, play, man, ah, pepper
Stephen beat dah one yah
Ey, ey, Stephen, change di style again
So all dem, ah, talk, man, ah, pepper
Ketchup dem, ah, play man, ah, pepper
Bigship we, ah, pepper
Ketchup dem, ah, play man, ah, pepper
Gully side dem, ah, talk we, ah, pepper
Ketchup dem, ah, play we, ah, pepper
Pepper dem pepper, bun dem
The song "Peppa" by Mavado is a boastful track where the artist proclaims his dominance and authority over anyone who tries to come in his way. He uses the metaphor of "pepper" to describe his fiery, intense, and unstoppable nature, while anyone who tries to challenge him is mere "ketchup" in comparison. He asserts his position as the "starbwoy," the boss, and the ruler of the "gully" (his gang or crew). He also takes a jab at his enemies who try to copy his style, claiming that they are not worthy and that they will never be able to match his level of success.
Mavado's lyrics are full of Jamaican patois and slang, which adds to the authenticity and rawness of the track. He also references his personal life and experiences, such as his mother's advice to be wary of people who might turn on him and his affinity for smoking marijuana. The song is driven by a pulsing beat that combines dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop elements, creating a high-energy and catchy rhythm that is hard to resist.
Overall, "Peppa" is a charismatic and confident song that showcases Mavado's skills as a rapper, singer, and lyricist. It is a perfect anthem for anyone who wants to feel empowered and unstoppable, and it has become a popular track on Jamaican radio and in dancehall parties around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Ohh, mi doh even waan seh
I don't even want to say it
Mi hot to much inna dah one yah
I am too hot in this situation
Yu zeen
You know what I mean
So all dem ah talk, man, ah, steppa
When they talk, I just keep moving
Ketchup dem ah play man, ah, pepper
They are trying to catch up but they can't
Wen di starbwoy walk, man, ah, steppa
When I walk, I keep moving
Ah, coulda day, coulda dark, man, ah, steppa
I keep moving regardless of the time of day
Di gully never buyout no chart mi know better
The gully never buys its way to success, I know better
Bramma, mi hot fi dem
They can't handle my heat
Dem ah use some style that is not fi dem
They are trying to use something that doesn't work for them
Di gully neva gone, mi back fi dem
I always have the gully's back
And mi terrified like di nazi dem
I am scared like the Nazis
Stephen, dem change up mi nuh wah see dem
Stephen, they changed and I don't want to see them anymore
Mi ah look, look, look and cyaa see dem
I keep looking but can't see them
Dis whole world know mi ah di boss fi dem
The whole world knows I am their boss
Tell dem pass mi bet try loss me bet
Tell them to move aside, or they will lose to me
Mama seh fi watch dem wid mi clothes and mi preacher
My mother said to watch them with my belongings and my religious adviser
From yuh richer some of dem ah turn snitcher
When you have more money, some of them turn into snitches
Dem ah helicopter mi ah high plane drifter
They are helicopters while I am a high plane drifter
Mi brain sicker from mi smoke pon dah spliff yah
My brain is messed up from smoking this weed
Ah mi build mi house mi buy mi furniture
I built my house and bought my furniture
Mansion in di sky ah check di temperature
My mansion in the sky, I check the temperature
Fi all dirty heart send dem ah hell quicker
For all those with dirty hearts, I'll send them to hell quickly
Mi love goes out to all mi well wisher
I love my well-wishers
Stephen beat dah one yah
Stephen produced this beat
Bigship we, ah, pepper
We are the big ship, we are the pepper
Gully side dem, ah, talk we, ah, pepper
The gully side talks about us, we are the pepper
Pepper dem pepper, bun dem
We are the pepper, burning them
Writer(s): Stephen Mcgregor, David Brooks Copyright: Emi Music Publishing Ltd., Chase Mountain Music Inc., Kobalt Music Services America Inc. Kmsa
Contributed by Kaylee T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.