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
RISE
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No regrets, the time has come
The beast awakens nevermore
The war inside
I can not hide
In my head again
I will not stand back and lie
We were all made to Rise
Live your life, or let life live you
Pick your poison, create your fate
Will you suffer?
It's too late
I'm not like you, I'm not afraid
To be the person
You could never be
I will not stand back and lie
We were all made to Rise
And see it through
Live your life, or let life live you
I'm not like you
I will never fall
You will never bring me down
I will not stand back and lie
We were all made to Rise
And see it through
Live your life, or let life live you
Live your life, or let life live you
The lyrics of Mr. Vegas's song, "Rise," seem to describe a powerful and transformative relationship between two individuals. The first two lines establish the metaphor of the sun and flame, blood and same, which suggests that the two individuals are both separate and interconnected. They are the love that rises again, despite the presence of those who try to bring them down, symbolized by "the snake that bites on your veins." The chorus highlights the importance of feeling and truth, and encourages the listener to "fly" and rise up against the world.
The second verse further develops the mystical nature of this relationship, referring to the other person as a "sorceress mind" and describing them as both strange and familiar. The lines "You are alive and high in my dreams / You are the stars that mystify me" imply that this person is a source of inspiration and wonder. Additionally, they are also a powerful force to be reckoned with, as they are the wolf that frightens the thief and the voice that is disbelieved.
Overall, "Rise" seems to celebrate the power of connection and love to overcome adversity. The metaphorical language suggests that this connection is something spiritual or mystical, and the chorus emphasizes the importance of feeling and truth in this context.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the sun, I am the flame
You are the one who shines brightly in my life like the sun while I am the one who burns and radiates light like a flame.
You are the blood, I am the same
You are the life-giving force that keeps me alive and I am like you in every way.
We are the love that rises again
Together, we are the love that emerges and grows stronger even after it's been hurt or pushed down.
They are the snake that bites on your veins
Others who try to bring us down or hurt us are like venomous snakes that attack us and try to poison our love and happiness.
We are not chained to the wheel
We are free from the monotony and routine that others are trapped in.
You are the tear, I have no fear
You are the symbol of sadness and pain but I am not afraid of it because I know we can overcome it together.
You are so strange, I feel the same
You are unique and different but I share the same feeling and emotions that you do.
Sorceress mind, we ride again
Together, we journey forward into new and unexplored territories, guided by your magical and wise mind.
It's the way that you feel
The feeling you have and convey are what drive us forward and make us feel alive.
It's the truth in your eye
Your honesty and transparency, evident in your eyes, are what give me the confidence and trust I need in this relationship.
You got wings upon your back and you can fly
You have the freedom to soar high and achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.
'Cause you're up against the world and still you rise
Despite the challenges and obstacles that you face, you have the ability to overcome them and rise above them.
You are alive and high in my dreams
You exist in my thoughts and imagination as someone who is full of life and energy.
You are the stars that mystify me
You are like the stars in the sky, fascinating and mysterious, capturing my attention and imagination.
And you are the wolf that frightens the thief
You are strong and fearless, like a wolf, and intimidate and scare off those who try to take advantage of us.
And you are the voice that they disbelieve
Your voice and words of wisdom may go unheard or ignored by others, but I believe in you and what you say.
And you are the spark that sets us all free
You are the source of the spark that ignites and frees us from our chains and constraints, making us free.
Still you rise
No matter what life throws your way, you always stand up and keep moving forward. It's a reminder to keep rising up, no matter what.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Connor Riley, Jordan Greenlaw, Tyler Kasten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miss K
Excellent, upbeat version of this great song
joy9030
Brilliant song you have posted here, thank you.
Barbara Martin
Classic
brian ochieng
me love it
Delano Henry
Tune yute!!!!!
William Wallace
IT TOOK TIME, ALLOT OF TIME KNOW FOR 12 YEARS STRONG HAPPY SINGLE (SUICIDAL) 《-----PASS
Delano Henry
One a yuh best track ever bredda!!!!
Demetrius Neptune
Wapsapp