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
Mus Come A Road
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Di fassy inform pan me inna court
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Him go tell di feds of my ganja boat
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Me nah inform, me prefer get deport
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Big up di man dem pon di fort
[Verse 1:]
Informer testify
Di fassy dem did wah see me fry
But mi business multiply
Me customer dem hav full supply
All di one Danny
Weh inform pan we right now put him in the Caddy
Six foot six them sen him to him granny
Wait til we catch him friend informer Ronny
[Chorus:]
Di fassy inform pan me inna court
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Him go tell di feds of my ganja boat
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Me nah inform, me prefer get deport
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Big up di man dem pon di fort
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
[Verse 2:]
Me mus get parole
Some say dem hot a road but me still cold
Gangsta nuh go jail go play man role
Straight razor blade inna shoes insole (shoes insole)
Money inna billfold
Hustla fi go on gangsta brave and bold
Sharpen tooth brush fi bad mind fassyhole
Wah we stay a jail til we gray and old (gray and old)
Nah go jail go snitch
Nah go a jail go tun niggabitch
Some lost in di system so dem start snitch
Some cya hold it out
Dem tun big time fish (big time fish)
[Chorus:]
Di fassy inform pan me inna court
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Him go tell di feds of my ganja boat
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Me nah inform, me prefer get deport
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Big up di man dem pon di fort
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
(Mus com a road)
[Verse 1:]
Informer testify
Di fassy dem did wah see me fry
But mi business multiply
Me customer dem hav full supply
All di one Danny
Weh inform pan we right now put him in the Caddy
Six foot six them sen him to him granny
Wait til we catch him friend informer Ronny
[Chorus:]
Di fassy inform pan me inna court
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Him go tell di feds of my ganja boat
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Me nah inform, me prefer get deport
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Big up di man dem pon di fort
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
The lyrics of Mr. Vegas's song "Mus Come A Road" discuss his struggle against informers who are trying to take him down. He references being taken to court and the feds being informed about his ganja operation, but he insists that he must come out on top and return to the streets. He refuses to inform on anyone, preferring to be deported if necessary rather than betraying his colleagues.
The verses discuss the actions of various informers who have been caught and punished, while also describing the tactics that gangsters use to survive and thrive in the criminal underworld. Mr. Vegas makes it clear that he is not afraid of jail, but insists that he will not become an informant like so many others who have been swept away by the pressures of the system.
Despite the serious subject matter, "Mus Come A Road" also contains a hint of defiance and hopefulness. Mr. Vegas celebrates the loyal members of his crew who are still standing by him and salutes the men on the fort who are keeping the streets safe. He may be facing obstacles and threats, but he remains determined to come out on top.
Line by Line Meaning
Di fassy inform pan me inna court
The snitch told on me in court
But me mus come a road (mus come a road)
But I have to hit the road (go on the run)
Him go tell di feds of my ganja boat
He told the feds about my boat full of weed
Me nah inform, me prefer get deport
I won't snitch, I'd rather be deported
Cah me mus come a road (mus come a road)
Because I have to hit the road (go on the run)
Big up di man dem pon di fort
Shout out to the men at the fort (supporting me)
Informer testify
The snitch testified against me
Di fassy dem did wah see me fry
The haters wanted to see me fail
But mi business multiply
But my business is booming
Me customer dem hav full supply
My customers have all the supply they need
All di one Danny
Including a guy named Danny
Weh inform pan we right now put him in the Caddy
Who snitched on us, we put him in a Cadillac
Six foot six them sen him to him granny
He's six feet six inches tall, they sent him to his granny (killed him)
Wait til we catch him friend informer Ronny
Wait till we catch his friend, the snitch Ronny
Me mus get parole
I have to get parole
Some say dem hot a road but me still cold
Some say they're hot on the streets, but I'm still cold (calm)
Gangsta nuh go jail go play man role
A real gangster doesn't go to jail and play the role of a common man
Straight razor blade inna shoes insole (shoes insole)
A straight razor blade hidden in the sole of my shoe
Money inna billfold
I have money in my wallet
Hustla fi go on gangsta brave and bold
The hustlers should be brave and bold like gangsters
Sharpen tooth brush fi bad mind fassyhole
Sharpening a toothbrush to protect yourself from a snitch
Wah we stay a jail til we gray and old (gray and old)
What we do in jail till we're old and gray
Nah go jail go snitch
I won't go to jail and snitch
Nah go a jail go tun niggabitch
I won't go to jail and become a coward
Some lost in di system so dem start snitch
Some got lost in the system, so they became snitches
Some cya hold it out
Some can't handle it
Dem tun big time fish (big time fish)
They become big-time informants
Contributed by Abigail S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@d.jmasvida7814
Who’s still listening to good music this #2020 🎧
@michellerose2322
yep yep
@rumpelstiltskn5574
…2021. Rude Bwoy Shufflin
@tapiaisautismo4394
Who remembers thia from gta iv ballad of gay tony
@ChadTheLad
What brought me here lol
@vinniehill4
Who gives a fuck dawg.
@southernfried714
Bigweld Only the real can relate bro 💯 that radio station had a lot of good shit
@southernfried714
Vinnie hill really? Don’t get aggressive dude nobody likes a smartass
@chantalove4906
Yess
@thatannoyingb_tch
Still listening in 2023!!!!❤❤