Music of Monday, 1 August 2011

Source: Ameyaw Debrah

Dancehall star, Mavado to rock Ghana October 1

It’s been buzzing for some time now but it is now official that top-selling Jamaican dancehall artist, Mavado will be storming Ghana for a grand music concert. Scheduled for Accra on October 1, the organizers, Fantasy Entertainment in collaboration with Samini Music, say they will stop at nothing to ensure that they deliver a one-of-its-kind concert.

Mavado will headline and share the stage with Samini “the dancehall pillar of Africa” and will be backed by impressive selection of local artistes who will ensure back-to-back performances all night. Fantasy Entertainment is noted for the impressive Rick Ross concert in Ghana in December last year, and has promised a re-enactment of the flair and quality that came with their first event.

The 2006 MOBO winner for Best African Artiste and 2009 MTV Africa Artiste of the year, Samini has promised to give out his all for this concert. “This is what I like doing best; exhibiting the real Samini when a big platform presents itself. And playing alongside the undoubted current king of his genre, I can only say you’ve not seen anything until you see my surprise act on October 1”, says Samini.

Born David Constantine Brooks, Mavado also known as The Real McKoy, Gully God, Gangsta Fi Life and Stulla, is famed all over the world for his exceptional mastery of the genre. His style is heavily influenced by the likes of Bounty Killer and 2Pac.

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 on July 10, 2007 on VP Records. “Whe Dem A Do” and “Dying”, two of the singles from the album, were featured heavily on R&B/hip-hop radio in New York.

In 2008 Mavado was given the prestigious UK MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act. In April 2010, he starred as a gangster in Drake’s song ‘Find Your Love’. ‘The Messiah’, ‘On the Rock’, ‘House Top’, ”So Blessed’, ‘The Thump, ‘Wat Dem a Do’ are just a few of his big hits.

Mavado formed his own label, Mansion Records, in 2011, debuting with the single “Delilah”. This year he recorded with U.K. hip-hop artist Chipmunk on the track “Every Gyal”. The track is receiving rave reviews across key charts all over the world.