Mavado says former colleague behind attacks

BY SIMONE MORGAN Observer reporter

DANCEHALL artiste Mavado has responded to a recent petition to have him deported from the United States.

In an exclusive with the Jamaica Observer, Mavado — whose given name is David Brooks — said a former business associate is behind the scheme.

“Is somebody that used to work with me. Me find out him no real and let him go, so a fi him way dis to get back at me. I don’t know if him create the page or ask someone to do it, but he is the mastermind behind everything,” said Mavado.

The singjay, however, declined to name the former associate.

Created on the White House’s website on Sunday by Maryland resident Trudy A Miller, the petition stated that the dancehall entertainer is a non-residing felon living in the USA. It further stated that it is “grossly unfair that undocumented immigrants with no serious criminal records are deported daily, while a convicted felon, such as Mavado, has carte blanche to live and work here”.

So far, fewer than 10 persons have signed the petition.

Mavado said this is not the first time that his reputation and music career have been attacked by this individual.

“This individual has contacted several media outlets and told them that I had limited amount of days to leave the States, among a bunch of other things; all of which are lies,” he said.

The singjay said he has contracted the services of an immigration attorney, who is handling the matter.

“I have been living here [the United States] for three years. My wife and two of my kids are Americans and I have never committed a crime here. All I am doing is spending time with my family while doing music,” he said.

A member of DJ Khaled’s We the Best Music Group, Mavado said he is busy working on his upcoming 16-track album slated to be released in May.

On Thursday the singjay released I Ain’t Going Back Broke, a collaboration with hip-hop artistes Ace Hood and Future.

A mixtape entitled The Hands of the Gully God will also be released in two weeks.