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.
Weh Dem Ah Say
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anyway Anyway
Anyway Anyway, Gangster For Life
[Chorus: x2]
Weh dem ah say, weh dem ah say
You nuh fi talk fassyhole touch ah button
Violate and get you head open
[Veres 1:]
You touge run lef you mouth
Cah you you talk to many
Seh hem hav gun wen dem ain't got any
Kasava piece rise automatics and semi
Boy life jingle like penny penny penny
Dung ah moden man ah sen eh sen eh
Dem sad we glad celebrating with hennie hennie
Come ah trace like jenny jenny
And mi heart bruck from di mack tennie tennie tennie.
[Chorus: x2]
Weh dem ah say, weh dem ah say
You nuh fi talk fassyhole touch ah button
Violate and get you head open
Cause mi dog dem hungry and gluten gluten.
[Verse 2:]
Tell me who him kill and tell him berri inna atic
Say him hav him gun and mi fi goh weh with me rahcit
When him realise me hav how me gun inna me pocket
One inna him head and let it shock him like ah socket
When some boy ah talk we no act him just ah act it
Any ting me talk mi no di gangsters dem will back it
Any time we step inna di street you no we lock it
Cubans dem nuh eat fi clap it anyway.
[Chorus: x2]
Weh dem ah say, weh dem ah say
You nuh fi talk fassyhole touch ah button
Violate and get you head open
Cause mi dog dem hungry and gluten gluten.
[Veres 1]
In Mavado's song Weh Dem Ah Say, the artist is responding to people who are talking negatively about him. He emphasizes that those who speak poorly of him should not touch any buttons, as it could lead to violent consequences. Mavado warns that his "dog dem hungry and gluten gluten," indicating that his associates are always on the lookout for potential threats to his safety. He goes on to address those who talk too much, saying that they often claim to have guns when they do not, and that their lives are in danger as a result of their arrogance.
Mavado also mentions situations in which people have tried to disrespect him and his gangsters, and emphasizes that he and his associates always back up their words with action. According to the lyrics, they will not hesitate to defend themselves, and are not afraid to take violent measures to protect their reputation. He references specific scenarios in which he has come into conflict with others, such as being threatened with a gun that he then uses to protect himself.
Overall, Weh Dem Ah Say is a song that emphasizes Mavado's position as a strong and fearless figure, and warns others against disrespecting him or his gangsters. It reflects the artist's experiences growing up in Jamaica and his involvement in gang culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Anyway Anyway
No matter what they say or do
Anyway Anyway
No matter what they say or do
Anyway Anyway, Gangster For Life
Despite everything, Mavado will always be a gangster for life
Weh dem ah say, weh dem ah say
What are they saying?
You nuh fi talk fassyhole touch ah button
Don't speak disrespectfully or you will suffer the consequences
Violate and get you head open
If you break the rules, you will face severe punishment
Cause mi dog dem hungry and gluten gluten.
Mavado's crew is always ready for action
You touge run lef you mouth
If you're too talkative, you'll get in trouble
Cah you you talk to many
Talking too much can get you into danger
Seh hem hav gun wen dem ain't got any
Some people lie about having guns
Kasava piece rise automatics and semi
Violence may escalate quickly
Boy life jingle like penny penny penny
Life is full of ups and downs
Dung ah moden man ah sen eh sen eh
Some people will try to start trouble just because
Dem sad we glad celebrating with hennie hennie
Mavado's crew celebrates their victories together
Come ah trace like jenny jenny
Some people like to talk smack
And mi heart bruck from di mack tennie tennie tennie.
Mavado is heartbroken and upset
Tell me who him kill and tell him berri inna atic
Some people brag about their violent actions, but they will face consequences
Say him hav him gun and mi fi goh weh with me rahcit
Some people try to intimidate others with their guns
When him realise me hav how me gun inna me pocket
Mavado has a gun ready to defend himself
One inna him head and let it shock him like ah socket
Mavado will use his gun if provoked
When some boy ah talk we no act him just ah act it
Mavado doesn't mess around when it comes to threats
Any ting me talk mi no di gangsters dem will back it
Mavado's crew is always ready to support him
Any time we step inna di street you no we lock it
Mavado's crew means business
Cubans dem nuh eat fi clap it anyway.
Nobody messes with Mavado and his crew
Contributed by Camilla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
casoneil Djmilitance rowe
209 still fresh vado legendary
youtube 10k
🔥💣👽🛸
Kobra Kai
🔥
Djnaseem
🔥🔥🔥
ConcreteRose85'
mi been ah look fi diss!!! bless up fi di upload .. Vado ah di general .. Gully!
Jojo Jamaican
who listening in 2019!
str8_shoota merka
big 1 maddddd thing !!!!!
DexSupercat
dem time deh riddim
Soso J
2021!! 🔥🔥🔥
Di Yungstar
Who a listen dis song 2017???