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
Duppy Durex
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mi seh mi love sex and if mi nuh get it mi wi vex
but mi nah ride without mi durex
a aids test woman a dat mi request
cause mi nah ride without mi durex
Repeat
Gal coulda pretty pretty pretty like a lilly
one ting mi know seh dat mi nah be silly
coulda even tusty like a young billy
even a scandal bag pon mi willy
gal come a gi mi gi mi fi mi kill it
gal from miami and gal from philly
through mi nuh waan fi drop out like jimmy
mi nah skinny dippy dippy nah skinny dippy
Chorus
Verse 2:
Yu nuh si seh aids a guh round like flu
know bout mi but mi nuh know bout you
caan walk through fire wid out nuh shoe
ketch it caan find nuh cure weh yu ago do
just wah day mi guh check angella
gal a tell mi seh shi waan mi do it without di rubber
seh shi waan feel it natural as ever
but if shi tell every man dat shi coulda be a carrier
Chorus
Verse 3:
Pure hotty hotty gal dat mi request
gal from north and south east and west
go a gal college and pass mi gal test
but mi nah walk naked through di black forest
In Mr. Vegas' song "Duppy Durex," the chorus immediately emphasizes the importance of safe sex. The artist states that he loves sex but will not participate in any sexual activities without a condom. He also adds that he requires an AIDS test from any woman with whom he chooses to engage. The first verse illustrates that he is not foolish and will not have sex even if the woman is incredibly pretty or attractive. The rapper mentions that he is from Miami to emphasize that his values extend beyond his Jamaican roots. He highlights that while he desires to have sex, he will not leave himself open to any potential sexual health risks by going "skinny dippy."
The second verse is a direct comment on AIDS, which he likens to the flu, unaware of who may be experiencing sickness. He reiterates that just like you cannot walk through fire without shoes, you cannot engage in sexual activities without protection. He reveals an anecdote where a woman he met recently asked him not to use a condom, saying she wanted to feel "natural as ever." However, he insists that he will not engage in sexual activities without protection, emphasizing his commitment to safe sex.
The third verse refers to the artist's preference for the beauty of all kinds of women. He mentions that he requires the women he engages with to pass his "gal test," but he is still not willing to walk naked through a "black forest," a clear metaphor for potential health risks. The song's ultimate message is the importance of safe sex, a critical issue that remains relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi seh mi love sex and if mi nuh get it mi wi vex
I enjoy having sex, and if I don't get it, I'll become angry.
but mi nah ride without mi durex
But I won't have sex without a condom.
a aids test woman a dat mi request
I always ask my sexual partners to get an HIV test.
cause mi nah ride without mi durex
Because I won't have sex without a condom.
Gal coulda pretty pretty pretty like a lilly
A woman could be really attractive.
one ting mi know seh dat mi nah be silly
But I know I won't be foolish.
coulda even tusty like a young billy
Even if she's really tempting.
even a scandal bag pon mi willy
Even if I have to use a cheap condom.
gal come a gi mi gi mi fi mi kill it
She comes to give me pleasure.
gal from miami and gal from philly
Women from different places.
through mi nuh waan fi drop out like jimmy
But I don't want to catch an STI like HIV.
mi nah skinny dippy dippy nah skinny dippy
I won't have unprotected sex.
Yu nuh si seh aids a guh round like flu
Don't you see that HIV is spreading like the flu?
know bout mi but mi nuh know bout you
I don't know about you, but I take precautions.
caan walk through fire wid out nuh shoe
I wouldn't take unnecessary risks.
ketch it caan find nuh cure weh yu ago do
If you get HIV, there's no cure, what will you do?
just wah day mi guh check angella
Just the other day, I went to see Angela.
gal a tell mi seh shi waan mi do it without di rubber
She tells me she wants to have sex without a condom.
seh shi waan feel it natural as ever
She wants it to be as natural as possible.
but if shi tell every man dat shi coulda be a carrier
But if she has unprotected sex with every man, she could be carrying HIV.
Pure hotty hotty gal dat mi request
I want an attractive woman.
gal from north and south east and west
Women from all over the place.
go a gal college and pass mi gal test
Must have graduated from an all-girls school and passed HIV test.
but mi nah walk naked through di black forest
But I won't have unprotected sex with anyone.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BYRON MURRAY, CLIFFORD RAY SMITH, PAUL HENTON, c Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind