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.
Walk Out
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dance out rude boy, yeah me
Walk out, walk, walk, walk out yeah
Gimme a gyal with di oss and a gyal
Gimme a gyal with di style
I know not them da fiago
And tell a gyal full of antiquity
Gyal a fragile and delicate
And I must know you celibate
You never broke you never wanna go
Gyal a one gyal a keep the one I know
Ya never soak ya never saw it all
Walk out a gyal, walk out
Any motive a tight gyal walk out
Who was the friends on
Yall cocky top and then you ruins up mi tempo
Girl them ...see you on
Like they dont want see you on speak
Be blow cleaf me off and then got twit
Move your bodies...
You know every man I talk inna di sea
We are to walk in every man a walk shit
Sever to sever so I feed up on the shit
Move your tongue and now your upper body
Dont it got to in everything I got it
You are the oil for no piece
Walk out a gyal walk out
Any mobile a tight gyal walk out
Mobile tight girl
Mobile tight girl pours in your friends girl
Inna di leave cause closing yo friends girl
You cocky top and then it ruins up mi tempo
Gimme a gyal with off and a gyal who
Gimme a gyal with asylum
I know not them my fiago
And tell a gyal full of antiquity
Gyal a fragile and delicate
Never get the shelly gyal so delicate
And I must know you celibate
You never broke you never wanna go
Gyal a one gyal a keep the one I know
Ya never soak ya never saw it all
Walk out a gyal, walk out
Any motive a tight gyal walk out
Who was the friends on
Yall cocky top and then you ruins up mi tempo
Girl them ...see you on
Like they dont want see you on speak
Be blow cleaf me off and then got twit
Move your bodies...
You know every man I talk inna di sea
We are to walk in every man a walk shit
Sever to sever so I feed up on the shit
Move your tongue and now your upper body
Dont it got to in everything I got it
You are the oil for no piece
Walk out a gyal walk out
Any mobile a tight gyal walk out
Mobile tight girl
Mobile tight girl pours in your friends girl
Inna di leave cause closing yo friends girl
The lyrics of Mavado's song "Walk Out" portray the artist's desire for a particular type of partner. The first verse calls for a woman with "the oss" (a slang term for a shapely figure) and "the style." He rejects women who are "full of antiquity," insinuating that he's not interested in someone who is old-fashioned or out of touch. He also mentions wanting a "fragile and delicate" woman but one who is not "shelly" (high maintenance). The chorus instructs for these women to "walk out" and dance, emphasizing the importance of physical attraction.
The second verse continues with the theme of wanting a particular type of woman, with a preference for those who are "tight" and "asylum" (sexy and desirable). He critiques men who talk badly about women and recognizes that some women may be fickle or uninterested in him, but he still holds out hope for finding the right partner. Throughout the song, Mavado seems to be placing great emphasis on physical attraction and youth, seeking a partner who fits a specific mold.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that Mavado is expressing his desire for a woman who is both physically and socially desirable, someone who will enhance his status as a successful artist. The song can also be seen as reinforcing traditional gender roles, with Mavado seeking a stereotypically feminine and subservient partner. Ultimately, the lyrics seem to be driven by a desire for control and a narrow definition of what makes a woman valuable.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk out, walk, walk, walk out yeah
I'm telling you to leave the dancefloor and walk out.
Dance out rude boy, yeah me
Dance your way out of this place, my dude.
Gimme a gyal with di oss and a gyal
I want a girl who has the 'it' factor.
Gimme a gyal with di style
Give me a girl who has style and is trendy.
I know not them da fiago
I don't know what they're all about.
And tell a gyal full of antiquity
Tell a girl who's ancient and outdated to move on.
Gyal a fragile and delicate
She might look delicate, but she's strong.
Never get the shelly gyal so delicate
Don't judge a book by its cover; the shy girl might surprise you.
And I must know you celibate
I need to make sure you're not taken already.
You never broke you never wanna go
You're loyal, and you don't want to leave me.
Gyal a one gyal a keep the one I know
I only keep one girl; she's the only one for me.
Ya never soak ya never saw it all
You don't party too hard or live dangerously.
Walk out a gyal, walk out
Girls, leave the dancefloor.
Any motive a tight gyal walk out
Whatever your reasons, if you're a hot girl, leave the party.
Who was the friends on
Who did you come with to the party?
Yall cocky top and then you ruins up mi tempo
You and your friends are too confident, and you're ruining my vibe.
Girl them ...see you on
Other girls see you and are intimidated.
Like they dont want see you on speak
They act like they don't want to talk to you or be your friend.
Be blow cleaf me off and then got twit
They brush you off and then talk about you behind your back.
Move your bodies...
Dance, move your body to the beat.
You know every man I talk inna di sea
You know all the guys I'm talking to in the party.
We are to walk in every man a walk shit
Guys are all talk; they don't have any real game.
Sever to sever so I feed up on the shit
I'm sick of hearing all the trash talk.
Move your tongue and now your upper body
Dance and let loose.
Dont it got to in everything I got it
I got it and can handle it, no problem.
You are the oil for no piece
You're causing problems; you need to leave the party.
Mobile tight girl
Hot girl with a tight body.
Mobile tight girl pours in your friends girl
All of your hot friends are here, and I want to leave with one of them.
Inna di leave cause closing yo friends girl
I'm trying to leave with one of your friends before they all leave.
Contributed by Vivian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.