He catapulted to the top of the Jamaican charts in 1997 with the dancehall … Read Full Bio ↴He catapulted to the top of the Jamaican charts in 1997 with the dancehall boomshots "Heads High" and "Nike Air", his distinctive vocals fusing melodious singing with precision deejaying (rapping). Since then he has built an international fan base with hit singles like "Pull Up", "Tamale" and "Hot Gal Today" but it is on his latest CD "Constant Spring" that Mr. Vegas' spectacular sing-jay approach and cleverly crafted lyrics dazzle with the intensity of an evening in, well, Las Vegas.

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

God On My Side
Mr. Vegas Lyrics

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Give me that joy

You give me that joy like a river
You give me that mercy I never deserve
You give me that love, nothing better
You give me that sweet peace like never before
(There's nobody like)

There's nobody like God, like God
I'm talking 'bout my God, my God
There's nobody like God, like God
I'm talking 'bout my God, my God

Oh, you give me that joy
You give me that joy like a river
You give me that mercy I never deserve
You give me that love, nothing better
You give me that sweet peace like never before

There's nobody like
There's nobody like God, like God (oh)
I'm talking 'bout my God, my God
There's nobody like God, like God (oh)
I'm talking 'bout my God, my God

Praise the Lord, everybody
I [?] the Lord
You heard my cry
Check it out

Your love is so amazing
(Your love is so amazing)
Your love is so incredible
(Your love is so incredible)
Your love is so amazing
(Your love is so amazing)
Your love is so incredible
(Your love is so incredible)

And I never get enough of Your love, Jesus
(Never get enough of Your love)
And I never get enough of Your love, Lord
(Never get enough of Your love)
I'll never get enough of Your love, Jesus
(Never get enough of Your love)
Never get enough, never get enough, never
(Never get enough, never get enough, never)

And I never get enough of Your love, Jesus
(Never get enough of Your love)
And I never get enough of Your love, Lord
(Never get enough of Your love)
I'll never get enough of Your love, Lord
(Never get enough of Your love)
I never get enough, never get enough, never
(Never get enough, never get enough, never)

He's so good (He's so good)
He's so good, yeah (He's so good)
He's so good (He's so good)
He's so good (He's so good)

He's so good (He's so good)
He's so good (He's so good)
He's so good (He's so good)
Come on baby
He's so good (He's so good)
He's so good (He's so good)
He's so good (He's so good)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Good (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Said I never get enough of Your love, Lord
(Never get enough of Your love)
Never get enough of Your love, Lord
(Never get enough of Your love)
Never get enough of Your love, Lord

(Never get enough of Your love)
Said I never get enough, never get enough, never

Overall Meaning

The song "God On My Side" by Mr. Vegas is a religious hymn that celebrates the joy, mercy, and love of God. The lyrics describe how the singer feels overwhelmed with the blessings of God, including the peace that he finds in his heart. The chorus repeats the message that there is no one else like God and how the singer is grateful for the goodness of God in his life. The lyrics then move on to a call of praise and the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ. The singer celebrates how he never gets enough of God's love and describes how good God is.

The song "God On My Side" is an uplifting and joyous ode to the power of faith. The lyrics paint a picture of a singer who has found refuge and peace in his belief in God. Mr. Vegas delivers the lyrics with an emotional intensity that underscores the strength of his belief. The song is both musical and spiritual, combining a deep appreciation for the power of music with a deep appreciation for the power of faith.

Line by Line Meaning

Give me that joy
I am asking for joy

You give me that joy like a river
You flood me with joy

You give me that mercy I never deserve
You are always merciful to me, even when I don't deserve it

You give me that love, nothing better
You give me the best love that exists

You give me that sweet peace like never before
You provide me with a peace that I have never experienced before

(There's nobody like)
(There is no one like you)

There's nobody like God, like God
No one compares to God

I'm talking 'bout my God, my God
I am referring to the God that I believe in

Praise the Lord, everybody
Let's give thanks and praise to the Lord

I [?] the Lord
I worship the Lord

You heard my cry
You listened to me when I cried out to you