Mavado (singer)
| Mavado | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Constantine Brooks |
| Born | 30 November 1981 |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
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David Constantine Brooks, (born 30 November 1981), better known by his stage name Mavado, is a Jamaican deejay, singer and songwriter, signed to We the Best Music Group and Cash Money Records.
David Constantine Brooks was raised in 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 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 and introduced him to his manager, dancehall music business legend Julian Jones-Griffith, who would go on to manage Mavado's illustrious career. He decided to name himself "Mavado" after the Swiss watch company Movado, with his manager 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, that had the distinction of hitting Billboard. After a string of hits in 2005 and 2006, Mavado released the album Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks 10 July 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 the US and around the world.
That same year brought Mavado off-stage controversy, as he was unlawfully detained by Jamaican police. While in police custody, the singer claims he was thrown through a glass window, slicing three fingers in the process, which were sewn up at a local hospital. Police claimed Mavado escaped from custody, even though they let him walk out of the police station and go to the hospital with his manager. He was later arrested and charged with shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm in relation to an event occurring 27 July 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".
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