Marvin Sparks

So, the long-awaited video for Stay Boy by Mavado has finally dropped. It's alright. Woulda liked more shots of Jamaica than America to be fair. More club vibes too, 'cos there really isn't a party like a Jamaican party, but it's good. Showing his star appeal. And you already know the tune mad already. Over at Soul Culture I blogged the track by Chipmunk that Mavado features on Every Gyal . Every Gyal To quote oneself: Final thoughts? Sounds like an overproduced version of Mavado’s 2010 club-smash “Gal A Mad Ova“ . Ultimate respect to Chipmunk for reaching out to and working with Mavado. I’m sure his label wouldn’t have advised it. Hope the song does well .

Haven't blogged in a while, and for that I apologise. Thought I'd share this tune with you whilst I'm here. Been bubbling for a good month now, hasn't quite buss in England yet, but it's only a matter of time - even if that time is about 3 months from now, you know how these top 40 commercial urban DJ's take forever. Got that slow whine/scrubs against the nearest wall/ pilar/ mampi (2010 is the year of using mampi's as leaning posts. Obese girls need love too even if it's only 2nd hand). It annoys me that he says Votswana instead of Botswana, unless there is a new country in Africa I'm unaware of. Send answers on a stamped & addressed postcare to marvin.sparks220@gmail.com At this point I would like point out they used a Kylie chorus Now you may or may not remember this blog post from my " Real Badman Never Afraid " series where I showed examples of the urban world under the influence of Kylie, and you probably LOLd. But as the young wi...

I heard about this song about 2/3 months ago. Been waiting impatiently ever since "And wullaloadash*t (what a load of sh*t)" as Nan in Catherine Tate would say. How you gonna re-lick the Bug riddim, but make it sound 100000000000000000 times worse? Mavado, you a mi doops, but wha gwaan? A doh know rasta, someone must be telling him to change his style on Yankee records - it's never the same Mavado. People are united in their dislike for Akon; I don't mind him personally and I think he does well* on this track (*well or better?). When I interviewed him (notice the way I threw that in?) he was a cool guy. On to the main attraction Shyne... *exhales* I'm hoping its too early to say it but... actually I won't. He needs to back some Lemsip, 'cos that voice isn't doing it at all. How can you lose weight whilst sounding even more overweight than previously (remember comparisons to BIG?)? Hopefully it was mixed in a way that was less than flattering for his t...

Yes you read it correctly. The two have been embroiled in beef since 06, last seen on stage together during their much-hyped, but very disappointing clash last year at Sting. Dudus (if you know who he is you know, if not, well Google) made it all happen at West Kingston Jamboree, literally minutes ago. Here is the evidence (thanks to Liv_Up "ya riddim straight"): What does this mean for 2010? We've been here before with the press conference last year but that didn't stop the clash at Sting. "Mi hope and pray// hope and pray" this one lasts longer and everyone can work on the same riddims (click for post I did on Gully vs Gaza vs Producers) , shows and no more "fussin and fightin". Guess it's only La Lewis and Mr. G warrin at Sting this year unless Bounty wants to clash. Grung Gaad still has a problem with him. Peace, one love and unity mi say! (I still say Gully but whatever)! If you liked that/ "bare plugs, pluggin ting" (this was th...

So if you haven't been following, Kartel and Mavado (scroll to the bottom of the Killer vs. Kartel war report) have been sending songs after each other AGAIN. LAME we don't want to hear you two warring again. Just as we were getting somewhat near a peace treaty (AGAIN), you both decide to draw for war tunes. Why? We don't want to see a rematch this year at Sting, cos to be quite frank, the last wasn't that good. Both have managed to move on with their careers, Kartel's flourishing both locally and for the first time in a while internationally (since VISA was revoked?), whilst Mavado continues to make headway collaborating/in the studio with the likes of DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef and Young Jeezy to Alicia Keys. Last year, it was at the forefront of everyone's mind and captured our imagination. Now it's at the point where it is more likely to result in a lose-lose. We've had to endure Bounty Killer vs. Beenie Man on-and-off for over a decade, please...

Winford is Jamaica's King of Entertainment. His weekly show Entertainment Report is a must-see each Friday on CVM I'll be honest I don't know what channel this show comes on, guessing it's the same channel but (The Rock voice) "It doesn't matter!" First of two part; Tells of incident where his Range Rover shot up outside his house Breakdown of friendship with DJ Foota Hype (click to see Foota Hype's Mavado changed by money allegations) Badmind, grudgeful and envious people (had to throw that in) In part 2 Mavado speaks His charity in schools Gully vs. Gaza fighting in schools Names his favourite Vybz Kartel song International collaborations with hip-hop and R&B A-list Speaks to the youths Anyone who knows me personally knows I always said Mavado will beome the biggest thing from dancehall since Sean Paul (I endorse Damian Marley but he isn't from the dancehall scene). I am proud to hear he is working with those big-name artists such as Drake an...

Singjay Mavado recently completed a recording session with American songbird Alicia Keys. This is Keys' first collaboration with a Jamaican artiste since having remixed her single No One with veteran Junior Reid and her appearance on the remix of Cham's Ghetto Story. After performing at the Hot 97 On the Reggae Tip show last Friday night, Mavado went straight in the studio with the multi-platinum singer. focused In a recent release, he stated, "Last year we left the Reggae Tip show and recorded a track with Lil' Kim and Wyclef, this year it was straight into the studio with Alicia Keys. I am very focused on my career right now and I'm just trying to elevate myself and Jamaica on a whole through music. Working with Alicia is an honour and a pleasure." It has been quite a year for Mavado, who has completed an extensive international tour of places like the US, UK, Europe, the Caribbean and Japan, and has continued to be one of the hottest acts in Jamaica. The co...

Unlike Ele vs Flippa this war actually has substance. If you don't know here's a brief: After being written a few songs by said artist, Bounty Killer (Killa) introduces and mentors (sons) Vybz Kartel Kartel appeared & performed at Beenie Man (Killer's arch-enemy since 190-long) wedding Kartel declares emancipation from Bounty Killer-led Alliance camp stressing the need to grow his own wings to fly Killer calls Kartel ungrateful Mavado and Kartel war begins, Killer makes a whole heap of subliminal songs directed at Kartel... Kartel has made a few songs directly dissin Killer, but Killer never really outright replied causing many and even Kartel ( Click for Vybz Kartel dissin Alliance "Suck pu**y Killer can't diss me" ) to suspect the once fearless Killer was running scared of the 'War Angel' aka Gaza yout' Vybz Kartel. Killer finally plucked up the courage to send shots at Kartel But most notably with Chatta Box Vybz Kartel allegedly missed a b...

Busta hooking up with Alliance father and son Busta = blergh but thanks for showing appreciation to Dancehall and shining a light on real talent Mavado = what the hell are you playing at? Don't know why this guy always feels to play the prat and lace his verses with f words when doing these Hip Hop collabs. People like you for who you are, don't dumb down to hit the market Killer = The General. Best I've heard Killer since "Nutt'n nuh change wid di Killer yes a mi same one" and his tune on Final Warning riddim 'Dem Nuh Bad' I remember when Neptunes were the shit...

For those who don't know, Foota Hype hails from Casava Piece, the same gully where Mavado bigs up. He's also the DJ who introduced Mavado to Bounty Killer prior to him getting his big break with Real McKoy. Says the Gully Gad has changed with his ego being the main problem. Well, we all know what happens to people's career/standard of music when this happens. Not to mention the back room staff at the Alliance being a certain way as reported in quite a few places, what holds for the future if the real people aren't around? Can't be surrounded by 'yes men' cos you'll get gassed. Foota Hype Parts Way With Mavado from 876radio on Vimeo . Lol @ the kid trying get some camera time

The video for Vybz Kartel's celebratory song 'Don't Run (Last Man Standing)' dedicated to his victory over Mavado at Sting was released couple hours ago. Song was originally recorded within 5 hours of the clash ending back in the early hours of 27th December'08. Within this time, the song has gained extreme popularity from those who seh Gaza, so much so it is the number 1 song in many Dancehall charts. This is sure to rub even more salt into the wounds of Alliance followers, question is with all the International touring and promoting Mavado is doing for his commerical release 'Mr Brooks... a better tomorrow", does he care?Anyway nice vid, and the song still knocks. Fans of the song from day will notice the lyrics have changed. "Why?" I hear you ask. It has to be fit for radio play (obviously), but more interestingly, due to the law the Broadcasting Commission passed couple months back, radio will not play songs with beep's, hence the rewordin...