Mavado and Julian Jones-Griffith mend fences - ‘Gangsta For Life’ hitmaker plans to make third album another masterpiece

Stephanie Lyew

STAR Writer

Music industry executive Julian Jones-Griffith and dancehall recording artiste Mavado have mend fences and are currently working on a few musical projects for release this year.

The two men had worked together in the early stages of Mavado's career when he used the stage name Singing Blacks. Jones-Griffith, at the time, was his manager. However, the relationship soured and both men parted ways.

Fast-forward a few years and the Gully Gad and the shrewd music executive have mended fences.

"Me and Mavado ah forward from way before most people hear him sing Anywaaay, and been through too much things together for there to ever be something that would mash-up wi bredrinship permanently," Jones-Griffith told THE STAR.

"I'm godfather to one of his sons; we both lost our mothers recently, and all our history together -- including the music and everything we've experienced -- is always gonna be bigger than any disagreement," the artiste manager added.

Jones-Griffith said that while he and Mavado "haven't jumped back straight into that artiste-manager relationship", they are partnering on several ventures. One such project is a new single, titled Money and Done, which is produced by Troyton Rami of Black Shadow Records.

"I am there for him with an advice or representation and always will be. It is a shame when artistes and their managers kick off, especially when they both build everything together, and it seems to happen way too often," he commented.

For his part, Mavado told THE STAR that the unification with Jones-Griffith underscores their capacity to move forward without dwelling on the negativity that caused the split.

"Too much hatred and division ah gwaan inna the country and we music, so if people see we can overlook misunderstanding then hopefully others can, too," the Gangsta For Life hitmaker said.

Like Jones-Griffith, Mavado has placed a significant value on the friendship that they shared prior to their 'brethrenship' becoming rocky in 2016.

"Every bredda and family have dem disagreement, but you don't throw away all of that over misunderstanding. Me and Julian have almost 20 years' worth of friendship," the Hope and Pray artiste told THE STAR.

He said that Money and Done, which was released last Thursday, is a lyrical reflection of his life and accomplishments.

"Is really just me a look pon mi life and where me a come from and where mi reach, and to inspire every ghetto youth to go fi dem dreams and goals and nuh mek nobody tell yuh nutting. Me come from the 'Gully', wah people woulda call areas of poverty and crime, but me work hard and live mi life how mi want and mek sure mi put wah mi have to good use (so) ah dat mi wah inspire the youth dem to do," Mavado said.

Jones-Griffith and Mavado are also working on other musical projects to compile a long-awaited album. It's been 13 years since the release of Mavado's sophomore album, Mr Brooks: A Better Tomorrow, and the two believe the stars have aligned to complete the album trilogy.

"Every day mi fans dem ask for another album, so we are going to give it to them this year. I want to make my third album another masterpiece to seal the trilogy, yuh know. Me never run down the music or always trying to be the hottest, and people know the level me reach, which me maintain over the years and dem know when me step out a serious supm. Longevity we deal with - one of the hardest things to do in music," Mavado said.