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.
Top Shotta Nah Miss
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I - Anyway
I - Gangster for life
[Chorus:]
Top shotta nuh miss
Dem seh mi ah rise crime
Mek people eat fish and bread
Nuh fi porchi diss
And mi ah rejoyce time
Head drop of and ah roll like an dice time
[Verse 1:]
Dem ah chatta dem ah qwaril
Yo mek mi rise di double barrel
For di christmas dem nuh talk bout nuh sorrel
Gangster nuh qwaril when we shoot we nuh chennel
Gunshot inna you forid
Boy [? ] gun dem ah war wid AK mi drive inna mi car wid heartless killers mi parr wid (yeah easy)
Wid mi gun mi ah squeeze
I am not alieyah just believe me
[Chorus:]
Top shotta nuh miss
Dem seh mi ah rise crime
Mek people eat fish and bread
And have ah nice time
Nuh fi porchi diss
And mi ah rejoyce time
Head drop of and ah roll like an dice time
[Verse 2:]
Weh dem ah talk bout
Saddle to di east
After drive outta kasava piece
Gangsters we guns dem increase
Mek dem fine informer disease
Gun shot blow chiar lika breeze
[? ] gangstar gonna squeeze
Gun inna you nose mek you can't even sneeze
Kid krupt paster and trees
[Chorus:]
Top shotta nuh miss
Dem seh mi ah rise crime
Mek people eat fish and bread
And have ah nice time
Nuh fi porchi diss
And mi ah rejoyce time
Head drop of and ah roll like an dice time
[Verse 1]
The song "Top Shotta Nah Miss" by Mavado is a celebration of gangster life, where the top shotta, or the leader of the gang, never misses his target. The first verse talks about how the gangsters don't tolerate any argument or disagreement and are ready to use their powerful weapons, such as the double-barrel shotgun, to eliminate any threat. The lyrics also highlight the gangster's lifestyle during the holiday season, where they don't care about traditional celebrations like drinking sorrel, but instead focus on their violent activities. The second verse talks about the gang's power and influence spreading far and wide, and how they deal with anyone who tries to betray them, which is met with instant death. The lyrics also state that the gangsters have no sympathy for anyone who tries to cross them, and that they will use their guns to silence their enemies without hesitation.
The chorus of the song is a call to arms for the gangsters to rise up and continue their criminal activities without fear of consequences. The lyrics state that the gangsters are responsible for providing food and entertainment for the community, and that they should not be disrespected. The chorus also highlights the brutal nature of gangster life, where the punishment for those who oppose them is severe, and their heads are chopped off and roll like a dice.
Overall, the song celebrates a life of crime and violence, and shows no remorse for those who fall victim to their ruthlessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Dem ah chatta dem ah qwaril
They talk and argue, but I won't engage with that
Yo mek mi rise di double barrel
You provoke me to the point where I have to use my shotgun
For di christmas dem nuh talk bout nuh sorrel
Around Christmas time, they don't talk about traditional Jamaican sorrel drink
Gangster nuh qwaril when we shoot we nuh chennel
Gangsters don't argue, when we shoot we don't miss our target
Gunshot inna you forid
I'll shoot you in the forehead
Boy [? ] gun dem ah war wid AK mi drive inna mi car wid heartless killers mi parr wid (yeah easy)
I have heartless killers riding with me in my car carrying AK guns ready for war
Wid mi gun mi ah squeeze
I'll use my gun without hesitation
I am not alieyah just believe me
I'm not lying about my actions, believe me
Weh dem ah talk bout
What are they talking about?
Saddle to di east
Going towards the East
After drive outta kasava piece
After driving out of Kasava piece
Gangsters we guns dem increase
Gangsters increase their gun collection
Mek dem fine informer disease
Let them find the disease of being an informant
Gun shot blow chiar lika breeze
Gunshots blow chairs around like they're nothing
[? ] gangstar gonna squeeze
Gangsters are going to shoot their guns without hesitation
Gun inna you nose mek you can't even sneeze
I'll shoot you in the nose, making it impossible for you to even sneeze
Kid krupt paster and trees
Kidnap corrupt pastors and politicians
Top shotta nuh miss
Top gunman does not miss his target
Dem seh mi ah rise crime
They say I am encouraging crime
Mek people eat fish and bread
I want people to have a good time and have food
And have ah nice time
And enjoy themselves
Nuh fi porchi diss
Don't disrespect me and expect no consequences
And mi ah rejoyce time
I'll enjoy myself and have fun
Head drop of and ah roll like an dice time
Heads will roll and it will be like rolling a die
Contributed by Mason J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marcoantoniodearaujo3833
aqui no rio nos estamos agitando a cultura local com ragga dancehall e reggae com um pouco de mavado e m.7
@redgully2332
One a di baddest song of all time, still a shot inna 2017
@realfranklove
and THIS version. Ole boi with the bald head was NOT for play play.
@richardedwards7492
Make that 2023 lol.
@92Romeo19
2021, still going strong!
@legacyjunior7657
Still ah slap in 2020
@Yangus32
I was looking for this song for the longest while.Thanks for putting it on youtube.
@Sylla402
Big up star, 15 years? Come back here hahaha
@vincentegibbs3595
Yeah ya boy mavado aint no joke. I really like his work especially top shotta what!
@Leonardrose5
Movado you bad dawg!!!!! Everything you sing back then hit!
Miss the old movado. U need to be more consistent .