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.
dreaming
Mavado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gangsta for life
Tell dem dat
We got to make the money
That's most of us hopes and dreams
But don't you go and bow for it
Go in the streets and struggle for it
See I was dreaming that I'm floating on a thousand dolla bill
And if you touch my paper
And crush my dream up
Then you gonna get kill
I was dreaming that I'm floating on a thousand dolla bill
And if you touch my paper
And crush my dream up
Then you gonna get kill
[Verse 1:]
Making money and all is well
And I'm a gangster for life because my song can tell
But some bwoy mek thru the money
Dem back part dem go sell
Nuff go bow out
And some turn enamel
But the music give me money
Or di highest mi a sell
Or mi gaan pon a mission
And lef the place correl
John crow fly down
Because body start smell
And how mi survive
Only God can tell
[Chorus:]
I was dreaming that I'm floating on a thousand dolla bill
And if you touch my paper
And crush my dream up
Then you gonna get kill
I was dreaming that I'm floating on a thousand dolla bill
And if you touch my paper
And crush my dream up
Then you gonna get kill
[Verse 2:]
And if mi stick you fi you paper
Try nuh run
Because mi come fi yuh tings
Is like me a put it down
And anybody if and but
Then dem look inna mi gun
And if dem talk too hard
You know you gaan underground
Because me need the money fi mi daughter and son
Because mi try fi look a work
But dem turn me down
Den mi link with Daseca and do music fi fun
Big up Bounty Killer
Because yuh money can't done
[Chorus:]
I was dreaming that I'm floating on a thousand dolla bill
And if you touch my paper
And crush my dream up
Then you gonna get kill
I was dreaming that I'm floating on a thousand dolla bill
And if you touch my paper
And crush my dream up
Then you gonna get kill
In the song "Dreaming," Mavado talks about his desire for financial success and how he feels that the pursuit of money can lead some people to lose their way. He warns that anyone who tries to mess with his money will face dire consequences because his dreams are too important to him. The chorus emphasizes his belief that he will one day be able to float on a thousand-dollar bill and that no one should get in his way.
In the first verse, Mavado acknowledges his success in the music industry and that he has been able to make a living from it. However, he also recognizes that others who have come into money have lost themselves in the process. He speaks about how the industry has allowed him to stay away from criminal activities that some of his peers have turned to, but at the same time, it has also created a dangerous environment where people will do anything for money.
In the second verse, Mavado touches on his personal struggles to find work before he became successful in music. He talks about how he does what he needs to do to provide for his family, including taking risks to protect his money. He also credits his success to his collaborations with other musicians in the industry, such as Bounty Killer.
Overall, Mavado's "Dreaming" is a message about the importance of staying true to oneself, even amidst the lure of financial success.
Line by Line Meaning
Gangsta for life
I am a gangster for life
Tell dem dat
Let them know that
We got to make the money
We need to make money
That's most of us hopes and dreams
Money is what most of us hope and dream for
But don't go and bow for it
But don't succumb to it
Go in the streets and struggle for it
Work hard for it in the streets
See I was dreaming that I'm floating on a thousand dolla bill
I dreamt that I was rich
And if you touch my paper
And if anyone tries to take my money
And crush my dream up
And destroys my dream
Then you gonna get kill
Then they will face the consequences
Making money and all is well
Making money is good
And I'm a gangster for life because my song can tell
I identify as a gangster through my music
But some bwoy mek thru the money
But some people obtain money through shady means
Dem back part dem go sell
They turn around and sell their backside for money
Nuff go bow out
Many people give up
And some turn enamel
And some turn informant
But the music give me money
But music provides me with money
Or di highest mi a sell
I sell the highest quality
Or mi gaan pon a mission
Or I go on a mission
And lef the place correl
And leave the area quickly
John crow fly down
Vultures are circling
Because body start smell
Because a dead body's stench is in the air
And how mi survive
And how I manage to survive
Only God can tell
Only God knows
And if mi stick you fi you paper
And if I rob you for your money
Try nuh run
Don't even try to run
Because mi come fi yuh tings
Because I'm coming for your things
Is like me a put it down
It's like I'm laying down the law
And anybody if and but
And anyone who opposes me
Then dem look inna mi gun
Will look down the barrel of my gun
And if dem talk too hard
And if they talk too much
You know you gaan underground
You'll end up dead
Because me need the money fi mi daughter and son
Because I need the money for my children
Because mi try fi look a work
Because I tried to find work
But dem turn me down
But I was turned down
Den mi link with Daseca and do music fi fun
So I collaborated with Daseca and started doing music for fun
Big up Bounty Killer
Shout out to Bounty Killer
Because yuh money can't done
Because you have an endless amount of money
Contributed by Bailey P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kercheyve Primus
2022 and still banging this
big tree pele one stope hellshire beach
Real
Nice Guy
10 years already... my goodness. Fucking classic!
Denzil Washington
2022 still a big hit!!
big the gully God straight out of 🇬🇾
racquel thompson
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Self Made
🤘🤘🤘🤘
YoloMySolo
2021 and still fire!
Lulu Rama
When you're south African but you were raised by Jamaican 🥴🤣🤣🥰❤
Kimchi Yamz
Still a fkn tune 🎉💯💯🔥2023
BIG BLOCK
2021 and still a banger