international dancehall artiste Mavado is back in Jamaica fresh from his successful European tour and says he is now ready to contribute to the development of upcoming record label, Claims Records, based in Grants Pen.

According to Mavado, he is happy for the opportunity to give back to his humble beginnings by recording a single on the label's soon to be released Cranberry rhythm.

"It is a pleasure to be assisting with the project, because I grew up from Cassava Piece to Grants Pen and the founder from Claims Records is a real good friend of mine, so I am giving this my real hundred straight, a just shelling fi Claim Records and Grants Pen," he said.

Mavado song on the Cranberry rhythm is called In This World, and he believes the single is a sure hit.

"I have high expectations for this song. I am doing my work to perfection and the fans will love it. The song not even drop yet an mi a get a real vibes from it inna the street," he said.

According to Mavado, he is prepared to do as much as he can to ensure that Claims Records will be a successful label in coming years.

each one teach one

"We never sell out no matter how big wi get inna life, suh anything fi help out the production I will do my best. If they want to do a video I shall be there and ready, each one teach one and everybody will reap," Mavado said.

The young producer at Claims Records, Gutty Bling, also has high praises for Mavado's endorsement.

"It is good to see that Mavado hasn't forgotten his roots, and we glad for the support. The song sounds real good and it's a good look for Claims Records," he said.

In the meantime, Mavado, in speaking about his own busy schedule, hinted that there might be more upcoming collaborations with Canadian rapper Drake, but the self-proclaimed Gully Gad says he is waiting on the right time.

"There will be a collaboration with Drake, but we are just waiting on the right and perfect song. We The Best family is making good music, suh as mi sey inna mi song, a lost mi lost dem, suh it up to people fi just ketch up now," he laughed.

The Cranberry rhythm led by Mavado will be released next week, and the artiste is also currently promoting his rap single, Like Me, produced by Chimney Records on the Chill Spot rhythm. Mavado had his name burning up the internet last week, after he called out Drake to perform at a show in Paris.

Mavado to perform alongside top US rappers

Come next week, Mavado is set to perform alongside some top US rappers.

On Monday, April 30, the Gully Gad will be performing in Manhattan, New York, alongside white-hot rappers Tyga, Wacka Flocka, Fabolous, French Montana, Travis Porter, Busta Rhymes and more.

DJ Prostyle, who currently has the No.1 rated afternoon radio show in New York, on POWER 105FM, will be celebrating his birthday with a host of the industry's big names, Mavado being the only dancehall representative.

"I just had to book the Gully Gad," said Prostyle. "I've been a big fan from day one and I know his fan base is huge so he's a great addition to the line-up. He has some hot records out now and the whole industry is expecting even bigger things from him this year, and I know he gona turn it up on April 30!"

upbeat

Mavado's first single on We The Best Music, Survivor, featuring Akon, has remained on New York's HOT 97 radio playlist for some time, with the programme director (PD) upbeat about the public's response to the record.

"The PD at HOT 97 hit us up and told us the record is really heating up on the station which is good," said Mavado's management team. "It's not an overnight thing, right now it's about continuing to develop Mavado as an artiste in the US market. We don't want a record to get playlisted today, and then three weeks later it just drops off air. Mavado is no one-hit wonder so we are taking our time trying to position things correctly, build records that are out there, drop some hot records and keep promoting his profile in the mainstream."

Mavado has been on an almost non-stop tour since last autumn, with shows in Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, all over the US and a recent 10 city successful tour of Europe. A video clip of Mavado bringing out Drake onstage in Paris has gone viral. Mavado's blog www.thegullyside.com has clips and photos from the tour as well as other updates.

"I've been recording a lot in the US," says Mavado. "I've been working on my own album with a lot of big US producers as well as great Jamaican producers such as Lenky and Dave Kelly. My main focus is to keep it real with my fan base and give them the music that they love me for. I've also been recording features with rappers and R'n'B singers for their own projects as well."