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
Lean With It
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lawd have mercy woi
Lawd have mercy woie
The gal dem seh mi voice sweet like honey
Big up mi big friend yuh know that a sunny
Lawd have mercy, lawd have mercy
Rock with it
Hot funk with it
Lawd have mercy
Yuh just lean with it
Rock with it
Finger snap with it
Lawd have mercy
But mi seh who mi a talk nuh the girl name shelly
Dance shi a dance and a roll har belly
Gal inna house nuh have time fi watch teli
Send mi a red bull and guiness yah delly
Cause mi waan put a hot it up under shelly
Ring ding i ding ding ding ding
Gal a ring off mi celi
Gal over gun nuh have time askelli
Brand new dance mi buss it before ele
Cho
But mi seh from uptown monday's to weddy
Mi si a old gal a hot wuk and rock steady
All dung a blazzy blazzy dem a dweet
Dung a passa passa dem block off the street
Some dweet fast but mi seh some do it slow
Hot funk a dweet bad man nuh stoop low
The japaneese dem waan see how it go
Attitude girls how unu bad so
Cho
I know yes i know
I know yes i know
This yah one yah gone a mexico
I know yes i know
This gone all a santa domingo
Cho
In Mr. Vegas's song "Lean With It," he starts off by acknowledging how much the women love his voice, comparing it to honey. He shouts out his friend who always brings the sunshine around him. The chorus follows, urging listeners to lean, rock with it, and hot funk with it. Mr. Vegas continues into the first verse, speaking about a girl named Shelly, who is dancing so hard she's rolling her belly. He mentions how the girls at home don't have time to watch TV, sending him a Red Bull and Guinness. He wants to put some heat under Shelly and make her ring his cellphone off the hook. In the second verse, he mentions old women dancing hot wuk and rock steady from uptown to weddy. The scene at Passa Passa is wild, and everyone has their own way of dancing, but they are all enjoying themselves. He even alludes to this new dance "brand new dance mi buss it before ele."
The lyrics of "Lean With It" are all about enjoying the music and having a good time. Mr. Vegas's voice is like honey to the ladies, and the hot, funky beat is perfect for dancing. He encourages listeners to lean, rock, and finger snap along with the music. In some parts of the song, he mentions specific people, including his friend who brings sunshine and Shelly, who is an exceptional dancer. He paints a picture of the party scene, where even the elderly ladies are dancing hot wuk and having a good time. Overall, the song is playful, joyous, and all about dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Lawd have mercy woi
An expression of amazement and excitement for what's to come.
The gal dem seh mi voice sweet like honey
The ladies compliment Mr. Vegas's voice, saying it's smooth and pleasant to hear.
Big up mi big friend yuh know that a sunny
Acknowledging a friend and the good times they share together.
Yuh just lean with it
A call to action to dance and sway fluidly.
Rock with it
Another call to action to dance and move energetically.
Hot funk with it
A suggestion to dance with attitude and style.
Finger snap with it
Adding snaps to the beat while dancing.
But mi seh who mi a talk nuh the girl name shelly
Introducing Shelly and her dancing skills.
Dance shi a dance and a roll har belly
Shelly is dancing enthusiastically and enjoying herself.
Gal inna house nuh have time fi watch teli
Women at the party are too busy dancing to stay still and watch TV.
Send mi a red bull and guiness yah delly
Asking for a drink to bring some energy and fun to the party.
Cause mi waan put a hot it up under shelly
Mr. Vegas wants to heat things up even more by dancing with Shelly.
Ring ding i ding ding ding ding
A playful and catchy phrase that adds to the fun of the song.
Gal a ring off mi celi
Girls are calling Mr. Vegas's phone to dance with him.
Gal over gun nuh have time askelli
Women who party hard don't have time to be concerned with trivial things.
Brand new dance mi buss it before ele
Introducing a new dance move that Mr. Vegas created and performed earlier.
Cho
End of a musical phrase or section.
But mi seh from uptown monday's to weddy
Mr. Vegas is observing people from all walks of life dancing and having fun.
Mi si a old gal a hot wuk and rock steady
Even older women are dancing energetically and passionately.
All dung a blazzy blazzy dem a dweet
People are dancing relentlessly and recklessly, even in dodgy neighborhoods.
Dung a passa passa dem block off the street
The party is so intense that it blocks the streets and becomes the center of attention.
Some dweet fast but mi seh some do it slow
People dance in different styles and tempos, but all enjoy themselves equally.
Hot funk a dweet bad man nuh stoop low
Dancing with attitude and funk is cool and attractive, even for tough guys.
The japaneese dem waan see how it go
Implying that even people from Japan are interested in joining and observing the dancing scene.
Attitude girls how unu bad so
Asking the ladies to show off their confidence and style on the dancefloor.
I know yes i know
Mr. Vegas is aware of the popularity of the song and how it's spreading beyond his expectations.
This yah one yah gone a mexico
The song has even reached Mexico and is appreciated there.
This gone all a santa domingo
The song continues to spread and gain momentum, reaching new audiences in Santa Domingo.
Cho
End of a musical phrase or section.
Contributed by Colton M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jaedu860212
I have searched this song so bad, 5 years later I found it... Gee hiz! I love it. Greetings from Costa Rica. One Love!
@alexharris2495
You searching for 5, I've been looking for at least 10 years.......
@jaedu860212
Alex Harris Good that we’ve found it.
@Timwinful
Congratulations Mate 😊😊
@Timwinful
You found it
@aquaabundance4077
Sameeee! I've been looking for this song since the Dutty Wine video came out
@andieslive669
Love, Honor and Respect Mr. Vegas because you are a great Reggae and Dancehall Artists.
@murtaghslove
i been wonderin about this song from the beginnin of hot wuk
@johnrodgers5470
Sly & Robbie, the riddim masters. rip Robbie
@dlo8796
This still my jam even in 2020!