Born Clifford Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, he was given the nickname Mr. Vegas by his cousin for the neon pink shorts he wore on the football field; in addition to his athletic skills Mr. Vegas also demonstrated musical talents early on. However an unfortunate dispute over the ownership of a DAT resulted in Vegas being hit in the jaw with an iron pipe; after the assault Vegas' mouth was wired shut so he was forced to create a unique method of vocalizing through his teeth. That style was first heard on "Nike Air", the song that initially positioned Vegas on the dancehall charts. Characterized by uplifting lyrics aimed (especially) at young women, he followed "Nike Air" with another affirming and very appealing tune "Heads High" which reached number one in Jamaica, hit the British Top Ten and found its way onto several urban stations across America.
Vegas' 1997 debut album "Heads High" (Greensleeves Records) further displayed his captivating vocal capabilities on songs like "Jacket", "Sweet Pineapple" and "Everywhere I Go"; it also earned him a British Mobo Award as Best Reggae artist, while establishing his fan base beyond the Jamaican dancehall.
However Vegas demonstrated even greater versatility on his 2001 sophomore release "Damn Right" (Greensleeves) which featured a stronger R&B and hip-hop flavor on the hits "Girls Time" and "She's A Ho", sensitive singing on the roots rocking "Rise" and a sensational duet with Sean Paul "Hot Gal Today".
With his move to the Los Angeles based independent label Delicious Vinyl Vegas released his third CD "Pull Up". The title track was recorded on Scatta Burrell's wildly popular Coolie Dance riddim, entered the Billboard charts and took Vegas' music into previously uncharted territory. Another single from "Pull Up" "Tamale" also did well, particularly in Europe.
Vegas has just completed his fourth and finest CD so far "Constant Spring" which presents an amalgam of styles including reggaeton productions by the red hot duo Luny/Tunes on the tracks "Johnny" and "Papito" and Latin tinged duets with Don Omar ("Pobre Diablo") and El Medico ("Penicilin"). Another scorching combination "Burnin" features soca sensation Kevin Lyttle. Vegas' long time associate Jamaica's Richard "Shams" Browne produced several tracks including "Million Dollar Baby" and "Slow Wine" while veteran dancehall hit makers Steely and Clevie's Sleepy Dog riddim scampers under Vegas' current Jamaican chart topper, the CDs title track "Constant Spring". Another Jamaican hit that is currently finding popularity throughout Europe is Vegas' self-produced, uncharacteristically contemplative "More Love", his emotive singing lamenting Jamaica's upwardly spiraling crime rate but the song's lyrics are applicable to many troubled territories throughout the world:
"I walk these Kingston streets, everyday a bare a beat/I can't get no sleep all I hear is AKs when they speak/ I walk Spanish town all I hear is people get gunned down, when I look around all I see is bodies on the ground. My shadow's afraid to even walk beside me, my shadow's afraid to even walk this city gun dawg and his friend full the morgue in Kingston city/too many guns in town."
"Crime, violence, war, it affects everyone," Vegas says, "and there is nothing in that song that doesn't relate to what is going on everywhere, especially Kingston. We want this album to be versatile so a Latino person a hip hop person, urban kids or all nationalities will listen to it."
Reflecting the ongoing changes within the music industry, Vegas and his manager Leslie Cooney of the Los Angeles based company Addict Management will be taking a very different approach regarding the release of "Constant Spring": they will not be signing to just one label. "We have found that as an independent artist Vegas can better exploit his appeal in every territory without the expectations and limitations of being signed to one label," says Ms. Cooney. "Instead, we will directly supply his fans with music worldwide and will seek licenses with different labels in their respective territories. Whether by an actual record or digital distribution, if there is a demand for Vegas it can now be met without waiting for the record label machinery to spring into action. We are taking matters in our own hands and Vegas is planning his own future."
And for Mr. Vegas the future appears to be shining even brighter than the flashing neon lights that abound in the Nevada city that is his namesake. www.mr-vegas.com
Certain Law
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, weave and false hair affi Lady Saw
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, yu can get yu liquor and ah drink outta straw
Every gangsta weh know bout the law, if yu never wear a pant, swear to Jah Jah
Well, mi say hand up, from yu know say yu lifestyle, it nuh wrong up
From yu switch yu can come bout ya come don up
Wi nuh act girlie, this ah bad man stand up
Man a tuggy tuggy cause man nuffi pretty
Some man a wear gal clothes and look like Nicki
The blouse dem sell out a JC Penny
And the girl dem neva get any
As a man yu haffi know certain law, hipsters and belly skin ah nuffi gangsta
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, weave and false hair affi Lady Saw
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, yu can get yu liquor and ah drink outta straw
Every gangsta weh know bout the law, if yu never wear a pant, swear to Jah Jah
So why yu doing it, tell me why yu doing it
Yu father grow yu good, so tell me why yu doing it
So why yu doing it, tell me why yu doing it
The gal clothes, it look like yu play two in it
Well, yu know say yu can come a Q wid it
Mi have a fire yah fi bun all yu crew wid it
Diamond tell me say yu gone luu wid it
Ennis tell me say yu muss get slew wid it
As a man yu haffi know certain law, hipsters and belly skin ah nuffi gangsta
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, weave and false hair affi Lady Saw
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, yu can get yu liquor and ah drink outta straw
Every gangsta weh know bout the law, if yu never wear a pant, swear to Jah Jah
As a man yu haffi know certain law, hipsters and belly skin ah nuffi gangsta
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, weave and false hair affi Lady Saw
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, yu can get yu liquor and ah drink outta straw
Every gangsta weh know bout the law, if yu never wear a pant, swear to Jah Jah
Mr. Vegas's song "Certain Law" is a commentary on the societal expectations of masculinity within Jamaican culture. The lyrics suggest that there are certain rules or laws that men must follow in order to be considered "gangsta" or masculine. The first verse mentions that men cannot wear "hipsters and belly skin" as they are not considered tough or manly enough. Similarly, wearing weave or false hair is only acceptable for women like Lady Saw, who is a well-known dancehall artist. The chorus emphasizes the importance of knowing and understanding these rules in order to be a true "gangsta."
The second verse criticizes men who dress in feminine clothing or "girlie" attire, suggesting that it goes against the code of masculinity ingrained in Jamaican culture. The lyrics mention that some men are wearing blouses from JC Penny and that women are not even buying them. The chorus repeats the importance of following these rules and laws to maintain the image of being a "gangsta."
The song seems to be a commentary on the rigid expectations placed on Jamaican men to adhere to a certain standard of masculinity. It suggests that there is a sense of policing within the culture whereby other men and society as a whole judge and exclude those who do not conform. It speaks to the intersection of gender, fashion and identity within Jamaican culture.
Line by Line Meaning
As a man yu haffi know certain law, hipsters and belly skin ah nuffi gangsta
To be a man, you must know the laws that govern how gangsters dress, and that includes not wearing hipsters or exposing your belly skin.
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, weave and false hair affi Lady Saw
As a man, you must be aware that only female dancehall artist Lady Saw can pull off wearing a weave or false hair.
As a man, yu haffi know certain law, yu can get yu liquor and ah drink outta straw
It's important for a man to know that it's acceptable to drink liquor out of a straw, as it's not considered unmanly behavior.
Every gangsta weh know bout the law, if yu never wear a pant, swear to Jah Jah
Serious gangsters who are aware of these laws go as far as to swear on their life to never wear any type of pants, as it goes against the code of their culture.
Well, mi say hand up, from yu know say yu lifestyle, it nuh wrong up
If you're able to confidently display the way you live your life, and it feels right to you, there's no reason to be ashamed.
From yu switch yu can come bout ya come don up
If you have transitioned or changed your identity, you are welcome to come here as your authentic self.
Wi nuh act girlie, this ah bad man stand up
We don't act feminine or vulnerable, this is a stance of strength and power.
Man a tuggy tuggy cause man nuffi pretty
Real men are tough and rugged because they don't prioritize looking pretty or attractive to others.
Some man a wear gal clothes and look like Nicki
There are some men who are wearing women's clothing and looking like pop star Nicki Minaj, which goes against the code of what it means to be a man.
The blouse dem sell out a JC Penny
Blouses meant for women are being sold out at the popular retail store JC Penny, showing that some men are wearing feminine clothing.
And the girl dem neva get any
Women are not getting their fair share of the blouses being sold, as some men are buying them up.
So why yu doing it, tell me why yu doing it
Why are you doing this, what's your reasoning behind your actions?
Yu father grow yu good, so tell me why yu doing it
Your father raised you well and with good values, so why are you acting against what you were taught?
The gal clothes, it look like yu play two in it
The women's clothing that some men are wearing look like they are playing dress-up or like it's a costume.
Well, yu know say yu can come a Q wid it
You know you can test the boundaries by coming to this party dressed in women's clothes.
Mi have a fire yah fi bun all yu crew wid it
I am ready to start drama and fight any of your friends who come here dressed in women's clothing.
Diamond tell me say yu gone luu wid it
Diamond informed me that you have gone as far as to wear women's underwear.
Ennis tell me say yu muss get slew wid it
Ennis has told me that you should be killed or punished for wearing feminine clothing.
Writer(s): Clifford Ray Smith, Sean Barington Reid
Contributed by Molly B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nah
Un de mes titres préférés de Mr Vegas , trop amusant le clip 😂😂
chigga Nomitry
A badman seat yuh a sweat up, get up 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Carol Fuentes
Esto si es música 😍
Boss Lady
Shouts out to Harry Toddler big up Vegas for paying homage
Yab léHaut
Mr vegas, after all these years, still the best !! Big Up from France, we love ^^
Boniface Alexander
123 go challenges
J∆EGER
2021 And Still Fire!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥
sophie wood
love it love the song love the video
TheChap2011
Love it, love that also " badman seat" props to the director well done!!
bxfinest271
The 7 people that dislike this song don't know certain laws.