He’s so special. Jamaican Reggae artist Mavado nee David Constantine Brooks has been blowing up the charts in the last few years. Still Mavado’s rise to the top has not been so easy. Anyone growing up in what is known as one of Jamaica’s most known ghettos must have endured some strife in life. Thanks to attention from established artist, Bounty Killer, Mavado started making waves in 2004 and was signed to VP Records. In 2006 Mavado emerged with the hit “Weh Dem a Do” and dropping his first album Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks. Since then a well publicized feud with Vybez Kartel has kept him in the spotlight.

Fast forward a few years and things are still going well for the Gully god. Keeping everything on the “gully side” the Kingston born artist has even achieved fame in several international markets, with his songs playing on mainstream radio stations like industry leaders New York’s Hot 97.1 and Power 105.1. Mavado’s popularity has soared so much, that this sumer Nike even made sneakers honoring him, putting his neighborhood “Casava Piece” on one side and the names of Jamaican Olympic track stars on the other side. His song We Need Barack has been one of the top songs honoring the current President and collaborations have been made with movers and shakers including Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Foxy Brown, Wyclef Jean and Lil Kim.

For this prolific artist 2009 is on track to be just as special.