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
How About That
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess they ain't plan on (What?)
What I planned on (Well i'm here)
And I like it and they love it
And you want more don’t think nothing of it
I’m just doing everything I said I would do
Living my life now how about you?
And I like it and they love it
I’m just doing everything I said I would do
Living my life now how about you?
Hey
All I wanted was a better life (Better life)
But I couldn’t get my cheddar right (Cheddar right)
Everything I did? It was never right (Never right)
Hit songs? Man they said I’d never write (Never)
Now I roll around in my drop top benz
Flipping’em the bird my fake ass friends
Lotta women say they wanna get in
But they wasn’t round when I couldn’t get spins
On the radio everyday they play me yo
Right along Drake Jay-Z Slim Shady so
Now I got a be big ego
But never change on my people no
Always got love for’em (Yeah)
In my heart where I store’em (Right here)
Now lets get the champagne pourin
Everybody slept now there ain’t no snorin
And I like it and they love it
And you want more don’t think nothing of it
I’m just doing everything I said I would do
Living my life now how about you?
And I like it and they love it
And you want more don’t think nothing of it
I’m just doing everything I said I would do
Living my life now how about you?
Hey
Now who said to get a job?
Was it you? (Huh?) maybe her? (Hmm) I think it’s him (Yeah)
Now who said I wouldn’t make it
Wasn’t me (Well) could it be? (Uhh?) I think it’s them (Yeah)
Uh-huh you know those types
High profile real low lifes
Come to your wedding wouldn’t even throw rice
Write a bunch a status’s and they don’t get no likes
Now they all say hey Jones you’re my favorite
Heard your new song and everyday we play it
I don’t give a damn I tell’em all save it
I remember when I said hi you didn’t say shit
Back when my bank was all empty (Yeah)
Nobody loaned me a penny (No way)
Now they acting all friendly
They all waive by when I drive in a Bentley
And I like it and they love it
And you want more don’t think nothing of it
I’m just doing everything I said I would do
Living my life now how about you?
And I like it and they love it
And you want more don’t think nothing of it
I’m just doing everything I said I would do
Living my life now how about you? yeah
Now how about you?
Now how about you? yeah
Now how about you?
The song "How About That" by Mr. Vegas is a declaration of his success and triumph over those who may have doubted him in the past. Through the lyrics, Mr. Vegas reminds listeners that he had faced many obstacles and naysayers along his path to success, but he persevered and achieved what he set out to do. The first verse begins with Mr. Vegas declaring that he is doing everything he set out to do and living his life to the fullest, while questioning if the same can be said of the listener.
The second verse dives deeper into Mr. Vegas' journey to success, starting with his desire for a better life, but struggling to make a living through his music. He faced criticism from others who believed he could never write a hit song, but he ultimately defied their expectations and became a prominent figure in the industry. He acknowledges that people now show him more love and support, but he will never forget who was there for him from the beginning.
Overall, the song promotes the message that if one stays committed, they can achieve their dreams despite any obstacles or negativity that comes their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah uh... uh huh
Starting off the song with some ad-libs to hype it up
I guess they ain't plan on (What?)
Others didn't expect him to succeed
What I planned on (Well i'm here)
Despite the doubts, he persevered and reached his goals
And I like it and they love it
He's happy with his success and others are enjoying his music too
And you want more don’t think nothing of it
Fans expect him to keep delivering good music
I’m just doing everything I said I would do
He's keeping his promises and staying true to himself
Living my life now how about you?
Asks others if they're also living their best lives
All I wanted was a better life (Better life)
He wanted to improve his life
But I couldn’t get my cheddar right (Cheddar right)
He struggled financially
Everything I did? It was never right (Never right)
He faced setbacks and obstacles
Hit songs? Man they said I’d never write (Never)
People didn't believe he could write successful songs
Now I roll around in my drop top benz
He enjoys the fruits of his labor
Flipping’em the bird my fake ass friends
He doesn't tolerate fake friends who didn't support him earlier
Lotta women say they wanna get in
He has female admirers
But they wasn’t round when I couldn’t get spins
They weren't around during his early struggles
On the radio everyday they play me yo
His music is now popular and widely played
Now I got a be big ego
He has confidence in himself
But never change on my people no
He won't forget his roots and the people who supported him
Always got love for’em (Yeah)
He has love and respect for his supporters
In my heart where I store’em (Right here)
He keeps them close to his heart
Now lets get the champagne pourin
Celebrating his success
Everybody slept now there ain’t no snorin
People who doubted him are now awake and paying attention
Now who said to get a job?
Others might have pressured him to get a conventional job
Was it you? (Huh?) maybe her? (Hmm) I think it’s him (Yeah)
Asking who said it as a rhetorical question
Now who said I wouldn’t make it
Others might have doubted his potential
Wasn’t me (Well) could it be? (Uhh?) I think it’s them (Yeah)
He knows he believed in himself and others doubted him
Uh-huh you know those types
Referring to people who doubted him
High profile real low lifes
Calling them out for their hypocrisy
Come to your wedding wouldn’t even throw rice
They're not good friends despite putting up a facade
Write a bunch a status’s and they don’t get no likes
Their online presence doesn't translate to real support
Now they all say hey Jones you’re my favorite
People who didn't support him before are now pretending to be fans
Heard your new song and everyday we play it
More about people pretending to be fans
I don’t give a damn I tell’em all save it
He doesn't care about their fake support
I remember when I said hi you didn’t say shit
Recalling how people ignored him before he made it big
Back when my bank was all empty (Yeah)
Acknowledging his financial struggles
Nobody loaned me a penny (No way)
He had to work hard on his own
Now they acting all friendly
People who ignored him before are now acting friendly
They all waive by when I drive in a Bentley
He's now successful and people notice it
Now how about you?
Asks again if others are living their best lives
Now how about you? yeah
Repeating the question for emphasis
Now how about you?
Repeating the question one more time
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jose- Carlos Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind