Mavado is turning out to be the Jamaican artist of the year! His debut album on VP Records Gangsta For Life The Symphony of David Brooks blazed up the charts this summer and continues to win new fans with its dance-friendly rhythms and heartfelt lyrics. But despite his tuff exterior, the Real McCoy has a heart of gold. Now he’s sharing some of that gold with the Jamaican community, especially the youth. I’ve been receiving reports this week of a new charity organization that Mavado created in order to connect the island’s public schools to the information super highway. Mavado recognizes the importance of internet access in public schools to enhance education.

Mavado – “Dying”:

Mavado Brings The Flow Into Schools

Mavado recently told the press:

There are hundreds of schools in Jamaica that are in dire need of a computer and access to the internet. My manager and I had bought some computers recently to give away to some schools, and the idea just snowballed from there.

The organization is called Connect Jamaica and it has teamed up with Flow, a communications company “dedicated to providing free internet connection to all public high schools.” According to Oonu Culture news:

Connect Jamaica aims to donate computers every month to schools around the island. This week, Mavado will give away computers and printers to Charlie Smith High School (Arnett Gardens,) Constant Spring High, Shortwood Practising and Swallowfield All Age.

The organization will also raise funds through various events and donations. Mavado’s annual Birthday Bash – dubbed the Real McCoy – will take place this year on Saturday, December 1st at the Temple Hall Estate in St. Andrew, Jamaica where a significant portion of the proceeds will go towards Connect Jamaica.

This is so righteous. As much as the internet can be a distraction and an overload of information, it can also be a source of different perspectives and cultures which can be pretty valuable for a teen growing up on a small island with strong religious and political hierarchies. Way to go Mavado!

Little X To Film The Next Video Off Gangsta For Life

In other Mavado news, he recently connected with video director Little X who wants to make the next video from Gangsta For Life. Little X is well known for big-budget, visually dynamic videos like the ones he directed for Sean Paul (“Gimme The Light”), Mystikal (“Danger!” and “Shake That Ass”), Usher (“U Got It Bad”) and many others. Working with Little X will give Mavado a big edge, especially in the US. The video is set to be filmed in Jamaica on October 30th. Mavado has already filmed three music videos for songs on Gangsta For Life, including “Dying” and “Dreaming”:

“Dreaming” (audio is super quiet):

Mavado Links

Mavado music
More info about Little X directing Mavado
More info about Mavado’s Connect charity

Read more about Gangsta For Life, The Symphony of David Brooks and listen to all the songs by clicking on the album cover:

Pages about charity ~ dancehall ~ Jamaica ~ Little X ~ Mavado ~ VP Records