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Biography
Raised in the challenging setting of Kingston’s Cassava Piece community, Brooks first began to take an interest in music singing in his local church choir with his grandmother. Strongly influenced by the rapper Bounty Hunter in his early teens, at 15, after visiting him at a recording studio, Bounty Hunter became Brooks’ mentor and showed his the ins and outs of the music industry. After being introduced to revered dancehall music legend Julian Jones-Griffith, who became Mavado’s manager, the singer and rapper released his debut single “Real McKoy” in 2004. Recorded over Daseca crew’s Anger Management riddim, the single proved an instant hit, and was followed by the Billboard-charting single “Weh Dem a Do” in 2006.
Mavado subsequently released the popular singles “Dreaming” and “Bawl Dem a Bawl” before his father’s murder and a feud with fellow dancehall artist Vybz Kartel threatened to halt the musician’s further success. The feud also proved to be the musical base for a number of Mavado’s songs including “Warn Dem” and “Informer”. In 2007 the singer and rapper released the full length “Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks” on VP Records. Featuring the singles “Weh Dem a Do”, “Dying”, and “Top Shotta Nah Miss”, which featured prominently in charts around the world notably in the U.S., the album introduce the rapper to a host of new audiences.
In 2008 Mavado re-recorded a version of his song “Real McKoy” for the game "Grand Theft Auto IV", and began a period of collaborating with high-profile artists. The rapper appeared on the G-Unit track “Let It Go” from the album “T.O.S. Terminate” in 2008, starred as a gangster in Drake’s “Find Your Love” in 2010, as well worked with the likes of Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, and Snoop Dogg. Mavado’s subsequent album arrived in 2009 entitled “Mr Brooks… A Better Tomorrow”, which featured the hit single “On the Rock”.
Two years later the musician launched his own label Mansion Records, aided by his single “Delilah”, which earned notable rotation on U.S. radio. Also in 2011, Mavado signed with DJ Khaled’s We the Best Music Group who issued the singles “Emegency” featuring Ace Hood, “Survivor” featuring Akon, and “Soulja Girl”, showcasing the rapper’s hip-hop sensibilities.
Live reviews
Theeeeem nah real MCcoy!' Mavado is the Jamaican saviour of Dancehall! Real name David Constantine Brooks, part of Cash Money Records and arguably the biggest name in Dancehall for the past 10 years, gave a blazing performance! The room was full to the brink, it was hard enough seeing the stage, let alone breathing but none of that mattered, the size of the audience only represented the success of this artist. Mavado swarmed the stage with his entourage, and was greeted by screaming girls and guys making the noises you would expect to hear from barking dogs, this prepared me for everything, anything could happen. Mavado leant to the side, stood there, rocked his body and the crowd began chanting the lyrics alongside the beat before he could even speak himself, the audience only hushing when he repeatedly said "yo yo yo" leading to him singing his trademark catchphrase "Anywayyyyyy". Movado began singing one of his anthems 'Wah dem ah do' audience members started doing the 'linga' I wanted to join in but there just wasn't any space, just watching them do it got me in the mood, I began screeching the lyrics at the top of my voice with the worst sounding Jamaican accent in the world, did I care though? no. Before the song could even finish its play-through, it was halted, horns roared and all I could hear was "Pull up, pull up, pull up" the song was starting again, this is why I love seeing Dancehall artists, they know what the audience love and how to please them. I recommend Movado to anybody, your sister, your doctor, even your grandma!
MarkSpencer
Jamaican music is absolutely fantastic, great vibes, great messages, and it’s awesome when it becomes mainstream globally, and this is exactly the kind of success that Mavado has achieved from his music. His raga style music has seen great success, and it’s originality has found it’s niche in the market of popular culture. Although he has had some run ins with the law over the years, he has denied his charges and been cleared of the majority of them.
As a live performer, Mavado’s talent is much more evident than on his recordings. He raps without accompaniment, and they lyrics become much more powerful when you can see his facial expressions and body movements as he recounts his writing. The highlight of the concert has to be when he played Give it All To Me, and Nicki Minaj was actually present to sing her part of the song with him. They worked so well together, bouncing off each other. They opened the song with no backing, and then after the first verse the band kicked in and everyone was dancing, singing along, and having the best time.
Mr. Brooks…A Better Tomorrow is a powerful album, and it was awesome to hear him play through the majority of it in his set. He was great at interacting with the audience, and gave some great shout outs.
yazhow
Mavado, or the slightly less hip David Constantine Brooks (his real name) is a Jamaican born rapper and saviour of dancehall music. Once I found out that Mavado was signed to Cash Money records, and that he had worked with some of the biggest names in the industry including Nicki Minaj and Snoop Dog, as well as Drake and Akon, I knew that I was in for one hell of a show. I was not disappointed. Moved has managed to maintain his Jamaican sense of style and music whilst hitting it big in the States. His music is fun, fresh and catchy. His songs make for perfect summer listening and are quintessential beach, party or festival tracks. Moved has great stage presence and really knows how to get the crowd pumping and how to put on a party. The crowd was insane, screaming hysterically and waving frantically. I was stuck in the middle of a mosh pit, overwhelmed but loving life. Moved played off the crowd and seemed to absolutely thrive off all the attention.
sabraziz
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