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 โWeh Dem a Doโ, 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 a do
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Real bakkle is on
Anyway gangsta fa life
Anyway
Weh dem a do weh dem a try
Marrow wi fly into di sky
Gun mi nuh barrow mi money buy
(Marrow wi fly)
Weh dem a do weh dem a try
Marrow wi fly into di sky
Gun mi nuh barrow mi money buy
A bwoie wi die
(Marrow wi fly)
Anyway mi nuh tek talk sen bwoie body to di grave pawk
Dem bwoie deh nuh have nuh brave hawt
Dem and dem girl have di same hawt
Dem a cry like a bitch wen di war stawt
Dem a run like a witch wen wi get wrawt
Man guh murda dem bloodclawt
Gangsta fi life wi nuh tek talk
Weh dem a do weh dem a try
Marrow wi fly into di sky
Gun mi nuh barrow mi money buy
A bwoie wi die
(Marrow wi fly)
Warlawd bakkle stawt yuh nuh si weh dem gone again
Gangsta fi life wi cyaah calm again
Yeah bring dem arm again
7 8 9 10 get corn again
Weh dem a guh do now di tugs dem cawna dem
Yah man a perform again
Di girls dem love how mi gwaan again
Fiyah fi a man weh nyam unda dem
Weh dem a do weh dem a try
Marrow wi fly into di sky
Gun mi nuh barrow mi money buy
A bwoie wi die
(Marrow wi fly)
Weh dem a do weh dem a try
Marrow wi fly into di sky
Gun mi nuh barrow mi money buy
A bwoie wi die
(Marrow wi fly)
Let dem know dat yeah
Yuh know wi naah talk again
Coppa will balk again
Yuh know weh mi a seh delly
The lyrics to Mavado's song "Weh Dem a Do" can be interpreted as a message to his enemies or rivals who are trying to challenge and fight him. Mavado is highlighting that he is a "gangsta fa life" and is always ready for a "real battle." He is essentially saying that no matter what his opponents are doing or trying to do, their attempts are futile because he is ready to fight back, and they will ultimately fail. Mavado emphasizes that he is not afraid to use weapons to protect himself and his gangsta lifestyle, stating that he would "fly into the sky" if necessary.
In the second verse, Mavado further asserts himself as a gangsta and explains that he does not take anyone's talk lightly, and he is willing to take someone's life if they challenge him. He is confident that he will win any battle and that his enemies will end up dead. He also touches on the fact that his enemies are not brave and are weak in comparison to him, angered by the fact that they cry when the war starts and run away when they face him. Mavado believes that he is the stronger one and will always come out on top.
Overall, the song's message is a warning to anyone trying to come after Mavado or his gangsta lifestyle, that he is not one to mess with and will protect himself and his crew at all costs. It is a display of his confidence and strength in his gangsta persona.
Line by Line Meaning
Gangsta fa life
I am a true gangster, this is not just a phase
Real bakkle is on
There is a real battle to be fought
Anyway gangsta fa life
No matter what happens, I will always be a gangster
Anyway
Regardless
Weh dem a do weh dem a try
What are they doing? What are they trying?
Marrow wi fly into di sky
We will shoot them until they fly high into the sky, meaning they'll be dead
Gun mi nuh barrow mi money buy
I don't borrow money to buy guns
A bwoie wi die (Marrow wi fly)
If someone tries to mess with us, they will die (we will shoot them)
Anyway mi nuh tek talk sen bwoie body to di grave pawk
No matter what anyone says, I will kill anyone who messes with me
Dem bwoie deh nuh have nuh brave hawt
Those guys are cowards, they have no courage
Dem and dem girl have di same hawt
Those guys and their girlfriends have the same amount of courage
Dem a cry like a bitch wen di war stawt
They cry like cowards when the war starts
Dem a run like a witch wen wi get wrawt
When we get angry, they run like witches
Man guh murda dem bloodclawt
I will kill them
Gangsta fi life wi nuh tek talk
We are gangsters for life and we don't take any talk from anyone
Warlawd bakkle stawt yuh nuh si weh dem gone again
The battle has started and they have disappeared once again
Gangsta fi life wi cyaah calm again
We cannot calm down because we are true gangsters
Yeah bring dem arm again
Get ready to fight again
7 8 9 10 get corn again
Seven, eight, nine, ten, prepare to die again
Weh dem a guh do now di tugs dem cawna dem
What are they going to do now that the thugs have caught them?
Yah man a perform again
I am performing again, meaning I am fighting again
Di girls dem love how mi gwaan again
The girls love how I am acting again
Fiyah fi a man weh nyam unda dem
Fire for a man who is working for someone else
Let dem know dat yeah
Let them know
Yuh know wi naah talk again
You know we won't talk anymore
Coppa will balk again
The police will back down again
Yuh know weh mi a seh delly
You know what I am saying, my friend
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: D BROOKS, DAVID BROOKS, DELROY FOSTER, STEPHEN MCGREGOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adriandavis619
this was the first mavado song i have ever hear . ย i will never forget it ย
@TheHottieLicious
me too! memories
@Marc98338
From what is this song again? I can't remember some program, movie or something? Maybe ive heard this in a shop long time ago... Wish i could remember. Maybe ross kemp on gangs?
@haque1974
ard adz mavado cover
@BrAlyDjAh
@ Adrian ! Me too
@wormchipchop8827
P.Early High real pree
@edenisaiah3488
still listening 2019..Movado on love from Nigeria
@jillanisutton9341
Will always lisen real badness
@jillanisutton9341
2021
@ladyfatassii901
2022