Married To The Gully

Married to the MOB celebrated their seven year anniversary with a Fashion’s Night Out party at swanky midtown hotel, Yotel. Married to the MOB owner, Leah Sweeney teamed up with Dancehall artist Mavado for a celebration that included radio personalities, DJs and some flyest people in New York City. The success of the party and Mavado’s collaboration with New York City based streetwear designer, Married to the MOB (MTTM), proves that Caribbean celebrities can connect non-Caribbean brands without compromising their own their style. As Caribbeans, we are constantly consuming brands, specifically in fashion, from international designers and receive little credit or acknowledgement for contributing to the international fashion world. It was great to see the genuine connection between MTTM’s audience and Mavado’s fans.

 In an exclusive interview with both Leah McSweeney and Mavado we discuss their growth as artists, how they connected and what the future holds for their.

S&V: How did you get your start in fashion?
Leah McSweeney: When I was 12 I babysat for the editor of Seventeen Magazine and she would invite me to fashion shows during fashion week, she lived in my neighborhood. I went to private school and all the kids were dressed fly really young. Growing up in the city, no matter what school you go to, fashion is a big part of the city. Kids in New York grow up around fashion. Professionally, when I was 18 I started an internship at Mass Appeal magazine with the fashion editor. From then on I started assisting stylists, styling people on my own and from there I started Married to the MOB.

S&V: How did you come up with the name Married To The MOB?
LM: I came up with it at the time I was not working and at the time I said I had a Mob wife lifestyle kind of, minus the money and MOB was my crew of girls Most Official Bitches.

S&V: Tell about how you chose the direction of your line.
LM: I basically started from my personality. I’m basically putting out there stuff that I want to wear, that is for the MOB girl, not prissy stuff. It kind of takes a bitch with balls to where my stuff.

S&V: Tell me how the connection with Mavado came about?
LM: Because I have a friend of mine that’s a friend of his, I told him I’m doing this FNO / 7 year Anniversary party and we thought we’re kind of gangster in our own way, kind of evolving together. Music and fashion compliment each other so well.

S&V: Who are listening to right now?
LM: I listen to a lot of Lil Wayne, a lot of Britney Spears (laughs). I’ll be listening to Britney then throw on some Mobb Deep, then Buju (Banton). I listen to a lot of different stuff.

S&V: How would you describe your personal style?
LM: Simple. Sometimes I feel like I dress pretty boring to be honest with you. Simple, but tough and chic at the same time.

S&V: Where do you see your brand 3-5 years from now?
LM: I use to think so much about the future, I’m so in the moment. Doing what I want now matters. Thinking about what I want in the future doesn’t matter.

S&V: It must be a great feeling to do what you love?
LM: Besides my daughter it’s the biggest blessing. I’m so fortunate that I’m to be able to do it and I’m able to live off of doing it and it’s fun.

S&V: Advice for international designers who want to bring their brands here?
LM: Go for it and don’t take no for an answer, keep trying and doing it. It’s a great idea for Caribbean designers to bring their stuff here, we need some new shit! New fresh stuff.

 

S&V: How do you feel about coming back to NY?
Mavado: Great feeling. Now my music is better. My music can play everywhere. I’ve been in the game so many years now and I take my heavy step just to go higher. I’m always trying to learn something in the mean time. Now is just the perfect time for me to be here.

S&V: How do you think that your music has changed from the beginning to now?
Mavado: Back then I had competition, so it’s all about who’s the best, who’s putting out the most music. At that time we were going hard at each other. I think now, not I don’t have a competition. So now I’m taking advantage of it.

S&V: How do you plan to take advantage of the opportunity?

Mavado: Sky is the limit for me. It’s all about We The Best, Gullyside and I have my new label Mansion Records.

S&V: So from a business aspect, how have grown?
Mavado: I’m still learning, never too old to learn.

S&V: I know you have a great team around, but I’m sure the final decision lies with you, so how do you go about making the right decisions with regard to your career?

Mavado: It’s all about making the right decision, not being hasty. Take time to make the decision. I’m the kind of person that when I hear something I don’t just jump to it. I’ll have something for a couple of days thinking. You got to have a plan. You can’t build a house without a plan. So with my career I’m always thinking ahead, what’s the next step. My every move can be a complicated step.

S&V: You seem to have a reserved personality; do prefer to be on stage or in the studio?
Mavado: Both of them, it’s all about the music. I love music in the the studio, on the stage, I’m ready.

S&V: What’s your favorite song to perform
Mavado: I got so much of them.

S&V: Which did you get the best reaction to at Reggae Rhythm & Blues?
Mavado: All of them really, but true Delilah is that new hot song, as soon as my band drop the riddim on that song (hums the riddim) the crowd went crazy!

S&V: Speaking of Delilah, how did you come up with the concept for that song?
Mavado:  I’m from the ghetto. Walking 20 miles until you grow up and get a chance to buy a bicycle, but then here comes the man with the money and sometimes you as a young youth and you have this girl that you like. But you have some goal digger girls. I’m not saying you have good girl, you have excellent girls out there, but you still have goal diggers and you still have to be looking out for them. I think this song is an evolution, cause even I, myself have been through a couple “Delilahs” (laughs).

S&V: So I’m a female, what would I call the male version of “Delilah” ?
Mavado: (Laughs) I don’t know (laughs more) I really don’t know.

S&V: Tell me about your style, how do you go about picking out clothes for your shows and appearances?
Mavado: I’m a very picky person when it comes to my fashion. Cause no one can do my wardrobe for me. I have to do it myself. Whenever I have to do a show my manager is always like “dawg we ah go late, how much tings you ah go buy” I say “I have a few more stores dung deh suh”.

S&V: Is that what happened today?
Mavado: (Laughs) Something like that. I always want to look perfect cause I always want when my fans to see me they say “yo!” Cause the stardom come with the fashion and how you carry yourself and all of that.

Be sure to check out Mavado’s new single “Delilah” available on iTunes