|
|
|
|
|
|
Just
like Clockwork, Mavado keeps on Ticking ... with Rolling Stone & Billboard
Features, Charitable Donations, and Customized Songs for Barack Obama & Grand
Theft Auto Soundtrack
The latest Rolling Stone Magazine rates Mavado as the “Best Reggae Artist” in their Best of Rock 2008 issue. Mavado ranks amid this year’s crop of hand-picked winners such as, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen, Lil Wayne, Danger Mouse and Chris Brown. Rolling Stone journalist Evan Serpick raves, “If you think reggae died with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, think again. Jamaica's latest star, Mavado, combines hip-hop-influenced beats with ominous minor-key vocals about street life and salvation.”
Also Billboard Magazine recently applauded Mavado for gaining the attention of hip hop mogul, Jay-Z for his “On The Rock” remix. "For most Jamaican dancehall artistes, securing a successful rapper on a song's remix is a hard-won seal of approval. So when Jay Z, who has never recorded on a reggae track, rhymed on a remix of singer Mavado's current hit, On The Rock, it became arguably the greatest endorsement ever given to any dancehall record," Pat Meschino stated in the Billboard article picked up Reuters, the world's largest international multimedia news agency.
“A lot of the positive moves made by Mavado often go unnoticed amidst the clamor of the negative headlines by certain media. Recognition from prestigious publications as well as the adulation of thousands of fans around the world is a great support system for Mavado and gives him the strength and drive he needs to keep moving forward. We will all continue to stay focused and positive, states Mavado’s manager, Julian Jones-Griffith.
Mavado has been involved with a multitude of notable contributions over the last month. The popular Grand Theft Auto IV video game, in stores today, will feature Mavado’s hot song “Real McKoy,” currently on the official trailer. Mavado recently donated $10,000 to the Women’s Centre Foundation in Jamaica. His proceeds will help provide counseling, skills training and education to pregnant teens and shelter for battered women. Also Mavado cleverly flipped his popular “On The Rock” to “We Need Barack” for Russell Simmons and Green Lantern’s official Barack Obama mixtape. The album will be given away as part of the candidate’s campaign and feature other artists Lenny Kravitz, Kanye West, Jay Z, Common and Mos Def.
According to the UK’s Guardian Mavado’s tune is “the most interesting of the compilation's contributors.” Dave Stelfox further clarifies, “…the song may be awesome or hilarious depending on the way you look at these things, but the one thing it's not is incongruous. Despite not being eligible to vote in the US, Mavado still has every right to comment. After all, whatever happens there affects us all, no matter what flag we live under.”
As his career flourishes, Mavado never skips a beat. Currently, the talented dee-jay/singer is in the studio working on his yet to be titled sophomore album on VP Records set to be released this summer. Neil Edwards, Mavado’s A&R, says “There will be lots of surprises. It will definitely be a groundbreaking album for dancehall.” |
|
| ||
There
is no stopping Mavado. Despite controversial media attention, the dancehall luminary
remains the topic of positive conversation whether it is his generous donations
for battered women, a customized dub for Barack Obama, his score on latest Grand
Theft Auto video game or critical praise from the world’s most esteemed publications.