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Mavado - file
'We da best' was the cry from singjay Mavado yesterday in an interview with New York's Hot 97 FM as he announced that he has officially been signed to DJ Khaled's label 'We the Best Music Group.'
We the Best Music Group is an American record label founded by DJ Khaled and is distributed through Def Jam Recordings. Mavado made the announcement yesterday while being interviewed by host Angie Martinez. DJ Khaled also called into the programme to break the news himself as he spoke glowingly about the singjay. On the programme Khaled said, "Mavado is officially signed to We the Best Music Group, he's part of the family, the brand, an expansion to the movement."
According to Khaled, he knew Mavado before he was a big star and described the singjay as one who knows all about good music. Khaled said, "I'm really excited about this ... Mavado represents the streets, he's a 100 per cent authentic."
DJ Khaled is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and record label executive. He is a member of rapper Fat Joe's Terror Squad and released his own debut album Listennn: The Album on Koch in June 2006.
Since then he has gone on to release three albums including We the Best Forever this year. In 2009, Khaled became the president of record label Def Jam South. We the Best Music Group has signed the likes of Khaled himself, Ace Hood, Hollyhood Bay Bay, Cubic Z, Ice Berg and a number of other acts.
In March of this year, Mavado was featured on the Welcome to My Hood track, which was mixed by Khaled. The original version of Welcome to My Hood features rappers Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Plies and T-Pain. The remix features Ludacris, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Mavado, Twista, Birdman, Ace Hood, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Bun B, Game and Waka Flocka. Mavado was also featured in the song's music video.
The news spread quickly on social networking site Twitter.com. Rapper Busta Rhymes was quick to tweet, "Congrats to my brother DJ Khaled and WTB (We The Best) for signing Mavado! Brap!"
Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR yesterday, Mavado's manager, Julian Jones-Griffith, said that a number of labels had been coming to the singjay with offers. However, he said, "I listened to everyone, but to us partnering with Khaled and We The Best Music just made the most sense. He's familiar with the music and culture, Jamaican music played a big part in Khaled's journey to success and he acknowledges that too."
He continued, "Khaled used to be in Jamaica all the time, he had a record on Bounty's last album, we've had records on his albums, we been friends for years. Since Khaled blew up and got his own situation he's been talking to me about signing Gully Gad ever since. Nothing happens before time so everything lined up at the right time and we finally made it happen."
According to Jones-Griffith, Khaled's access to top producers, his presence on radio, influence and ear for music also helped to seal the deal. "It makes so much sense because it gives us instant access to any acts we might wanna collaborate with, and obviously Khaled and the Young Money family - Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj etc are family so it opens so many doors ... at the same time we will be bringing a lot to Khaled's outfit too, we are like the missing piece in his jigsaw."
Jones-Griffith elaborated that the deal with Khaled has been in the works for a while. However, they decided to make an official announcement on air in New York while he will be there for the Labour Day weekend.
While in New York Mavado will be performing at two shows. Mavado recently recorded the first track for We The Best, called Emergency featuring Ace Hood. He has also been in studio with other US producers recording songs that will hit the airwaves soon.
DJ Khaled - Contribted
