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
Run Up and Down
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Caught the beat, now I’m back and there is no delayin'
Got the words planned up but they’re rapidly decayin'
Like all the relationships, yeah none of them are stayin' (Ha)
Say some sweet words, then the next day y’all are breakin'
Like giving a dog a treat (Fweet)
You’re lurin' with the bacon
Man my words everywhere
Hold up man, now I’m back
I’m caught up ain’t no chasin'
Next, next, next, next (What, what)
I guess that’s how they raise 'em
Moving so fast gotta' slow 'em down and tase 'em (So fast)
Yeah that man Loaf is back no more hastamalacum
I don’t know if that’s a word but these days people just make 'em
One, two, three, four I can’t count 'em with patience (Nope)
That’s what we need these days 'cause people quick to go racing
Like they’re in the derby man
Straight horse chasin'
They think it’s a joke until you go Freddy Jason
You all thought these words meant nothing, man I cannot fake 'em (I can't)
I just open up my mind and then I start to make 'em
Gotta be careful cause you all are quick to take 'em (Thieves)
Carvin' my own path like I’m a newly found mason
Putting work in through the night like I’m some protein casein
It’s amazing, did it on my own nothing can faze me (Nobody)
Y’all crazy, tryna' rock me like I am a baby
Man stop playin', you fakin', I’m just out here sayin'
That I’ve been up and down like the planes you used to play with
Man my flow so dense, they call it saturated
Reciprocated, that’s what’s 'bout to happen cause I’m not one to play with
Boy you hatin', stop shakin', I’ll be very blatant
I’m gonna let you off with this one final statement
If you ever cross me then you gon' be awakened
You kids think that I make a song to be cool
Nah Furreal man I put my heart in this full
The only thing that’s gonna be loyal to the end (Yeah)
Yeah this right here, yeah this my best friend (Straight up)
You keep on slippin', yeah you say you a friend
They try to be like me, then they lowkey again
You think this is easy, like one through ten (It's not)
There’s a lot more to this, than what you hear in the end
I’m goin' up and down gotta watch what I’m sayin'
Caught the beat, now I’m back and there is no delayin'
Man my words everywhere
Let me go and rake 'em
Hold up man now I’m back
I’m caught up ain’t no chasin'
The lyrics of Mr. Vegas's song Run Up and Down are mainly about the ups and downs of life and relationships. The first verse talks about how relationships are not stable, and it is essential to be careful with your words to avoid damaging them. The verse says that sweet words can lure people in like bacon, but they are just temporary fixes. The verse also touches on how people move too fast in life and how it is essential to slow down and be patient.
The second verse dives deeper into the artist's life, and he talks about how he carves his own path and how it is essential to put in the work. He also states that people try to be like him, but they eventually fail because there is more to success than what meets the eye. The lyrics touch on how Mr. Vegas puts his heart and soul into his music and how he is loyal to it until the very end. The chorus is a reminder to be mindful of your words and actions and to make sure they align with your intentions.
Overall, the lyrics of Run Up and Down show the importance of being careful with your words and actions, being patient in life, and putting in the hard work to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m goin' up and down gotta watch what I’m sayin'
I need to be careful of what I say and how I say it, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurting others' feelings.
Caught the beat, now I’m back and there is no delayin'
I have found my rhythm and I am back on track, without any hesitation or delay.
Got the words planned up but they’re rapidly decayin'
Although I had some words planned, they are quickly fading away and I am struggling to articulate my thoughts.
Like all the relationships, yeah none of them are stayin' (Ha)
Just like many relationships that don't last, my thoughts and plans are also fleeting and temporary.
Say some sweet words, then the next day y’all are breakin'
Sometimes, people can be deceitful and say sweet things but their actions don't match up, leading to broken relationships.
Like giving a dog a treat (Fweet)
You’re lurin' with the bacon
Just like a dog is lured with a treat, people can also be easily swayed by false promises or incentives.
Man my words everywhere
Let me go and rake 'em
My words are scattered everywhere and I need to gather them together by reflecting and examining my thoughts.
Hold up man, now I’m back
I’m caught up ain’t no chasin'
I have taken a moment to collect my thoughts and emotions and I am now fully focused and committed, without any distractions or doubts.
Next, next, next, next (What, what)
I guess that’s how they raise 'em
Many people are raised to always seek the next best thing and not be content with what they have or where they are in life.
Moving so fast gotta' slow 'em down and tase 'em (So fast)
Some people are moving too fast in life and need to slow down and reevaluate their choices, even if it requires a harsh wake-up call.
Yeah that man Loaf is back no more hastamalacum
I don’t know if that’s a word but these days people just make 'em
I am back and focused, and not concerned with nonsensical made-up words or distractions.
One, two, three, four I can’t count 'em with patience (Nope)
That’s what we need these days 'cause people quick to go racing
Many people are impatient and always in a hurry, which can lead to careless mistakes and poor decision-making.
Like they’re in the derby man
Straight horse chasin'
Many people are competing with each other like horses in a derby, instead of working together towards a common goal.
They think it’s a joke until you go Freddy Jason
Many people don't take things seriously until they face the consequences and realize the severity of their actions.
You all thought these words meant nothing, man I cannot fake 'em (I can't)
I just open up my mind and then I start to make 'em
Although some may underestimate the power of my words, I am committed to being genuine and honest about my thoughts and feelings.
Gotta be careful cause you all are quick to take 'em (Thieves)
I need to be mindful of potential 'thieves' who may try to twist or manipulate my words for their own benefit.
Carvin' my own path like I’m a newly found mason
Putting work in through the night like I’m some protein casein
I am paving my own way and putting in hard work and dedication, even during difficult or lonely times.
It’s amazing, did it on my own nothing can faze me (Nobody)
Y’all crazy, tryna' rock me like I am a baby
Despite facing challenges and obstacles, I have accomplished a lot on my own and cannot be easily swayed by others' opinions or criticisms.
Man stop playin', you fakin', I’m just out here sayin'
I am tired of people pretending and not being genuine, and I am committed to being honest and authentic in my words and actions.
That I’ve been up and down like the planes you used to play with
My life and emotions have been a rollercoaster, similar to the planes people used to play with as kids.
Man my flow so dense, they call it saturated
Reciprocated, that’s what’s 'bout to happen cause I’m not one to play with
My words and thoughts are powerful and well-crafted, and soon others will reciprocate my dedication and commitment.
Boy you hatin', stop shakin', I’ll be very blatant
I’m gonna let you off with this one final statement
I am aware of others' jealousy and negativity towards me, but I will not be deterred and will continue to speak my mind.
If you ever cross me then you gon' be awakened
If someone does me wrong or tries to harm me, they will face the consequences and be held accountable.
You kids think that I make a song to be cool
Some people may underestimate the true passion and effort that goes into creating music.
Nah Furreal man I put my heart in this full
I am fully invested and committed to my music, pouring my heart and soul into each song.
The only thing that’s gonna be loyal to the end (Yeah)
Yeah this right here, yeah this my best friend (Straight up)
Out of everything in life, my music will always be loyal and true, and my biggest companion and support.
You keep on slippin', yeah you say you a friend
They try to be like me, then they lowkey again
Some people claim to be my friend but their actions and words show otherwise, and they often try to copy or emulate me instead of being themselves.
You think this is easy, like one through ten (It's not)
There’s a lot more to this, than what you hear in the end
Music-making is not a simple or straightforward process, and there is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Bradley Lackey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind