(L - R ) Mavado, Jay-Z - Nathaniel Stewart

Dancehall artiste Mavado was recently lauded by Billboard Magazine for attracting the attention of uber rapper, Jay-Z, who subsequently did a remix of the deejay's song On The Rock.

According to the article published in Billboard Magazine's latest issue, dated April 12, 2008, "For most Jamaican dancehall artistes, securing a successful rapper on a song's remix is a hard-won seal of approval. So when Jay Z, who has never recorded on a reggae track, rhymed on a remix of singer Mavado's current hit, On The Rock, it became arguably the greatest endorsement ever given to any dancehall record."

The article in the Billboard Magazine said that it was Jay Z who heard Mavado's song playing on Hot 97 and "thought the songs 'roc' metaphors provided appropriate references for rapping about his invincibility in the hip-hop world."

So far, the response has been incredible and the song has been getting heavy rotation.

Mavado, who has had to be dealing with a series of negative issues recently says, "It's always positive whenever one of the mainstream media houses from overseas throws a spotlight on Mavado or Jamaican music."

"Billboard Magazine is the biggest music industry magazine out there and is good that they are recognizing the strides we are making. It shows that not just me but dancehall on a whole is gaining popularity in the US and other major markets around the world," Mavado added.

Mavado also admitted that, "the whole hype with Jay Z jumping on my record has also helped push my name to new ears and this feature can only further that."

Now, Mavado says he is working on his new album, which is almost finished.

"It is to be released early summer so the exposure is good for that also. The article was done when I took part in the "Buy a Brick" charity event in Negril recently. As you know I have my own Connect Jamaica charity where we donate computers and printers to schools and the Buy a Brick organization is aimed at schools and children also so I was keen to be a part of that," Mavado said.

Mavado's manager, Julian Jones-Griffith, was also pleased with the focus on Mavado shifting to a positive light for a change as he says, "it's good that the media overseas and locally has picked up on the positive work and contributions that Mavado makes, which often go unnoticed amongst the clamouring for them to find another negative headline for Mavado."

He adds, "He has done and will continue to do much charitable work especially for children and young people, and we appreciate that being highlighted, as his detractors often criticise him and his music, which at the end of the day is entertainment made for adults to hear in an adult environment."