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
Sweet Jamaica
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord
Big up man like Josey Wales
A said there's nothing like sweet sweet Jamaica
Mi and mi brethen dem siddon pon di corner
Light up the fire and a boil some green banana
Later wi haffi go igloo out a Hellshire
Ohoo. Ohoooho. oh. ooh
Long time mi nuh si har and a long time mi want ah
Blaze up the music inna dah side a dah bimma yah
Ohoo. Ohoooho. oh. ooh
I feel like jamming into the reggae beat
Bubble up your body just a move your feet
I feel like jamming to the sweet vibration
Oooh Sweet Jamaica
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Raise it to the sky let me see your hand
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Lord have mercy (I like mi sweet Jamaica)
Sweet Jamaica
Sweet Jamaica
Dah die die woieee
Sweet Jamaica
Dah die die woieee
Sweet Jamaica
Sweet sweet Jamaica wi nah lef yah
Love wi ackee and wi saltfish wi nah left yah
Soft yam and banana
Wi nah lef yah
And mi big flour dumplin
Mi nah left yah
Aint nothing like the sweet cool breeze a jamdown
String up the sound
Hole heap a vibes can't done
Reggae music beautiful and people just a have fun
Jerk pan a blaze and hole heap a fish a steam down
Wi proud a wi island
Lord a God, mi say wi proud a wi island
Come Mr Vegas wi proud a wi island
Outlaw Josey Wales mi say mi proud a mi island
Sweet Jamaica
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Raise it to the sky let me see your hand
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Sweet Jamaica
Die doooo
Sweet Jamaica
I yeaaaa
Sweet Jamaica
Dah die die woieee
Sweet Jamaica
Dah die die woieee
Sweet Jamaica
Sweet Jamaica
Sweet Jamaica
Sweet Jamaica (Mai mai mai)
Sweet Jamaica
Proud a wi Island
Proud a wi Island
???
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Raise it to the sky let me see your hand
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
The song "Sweet Jamaica" by Mr. Vegas is a celebration of the beautiful island nation, its culture, and its people. The opening lyrics, "Now warm and easy, big up man like Josey Wales" set the laid back and positive tone of the song. Mr. Vegas then goes on to sing about the things that make Jamaica special to him, like "sweet sweet Jamaica" and the food, ackee and saltfish, yams, and flour dumplings. He also mentions going to Hellshire beach and visiting his friend Lorna, all while enjoying the reggae music and beautiful scenery of Jamaica. The chorus of the song encourages listeners to show their love and pride for Jamaica by raising their hands.
The song is not only a love letter to Jamaica but also a celebration of the positive things that can come from music and community. Mr. Vegas sings about the joy and friendship that can be found through music and how it unites people. He also emphasizes the importance of being proud of one's country and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Now warm and easy
Feeling relaxed and comfortable
Lord
Expression of emphasis or emotion
Big up man like Josey Wales
Give respect to an admired person
A said there's nothing like sweet sweet Jamaica
Jamaica is a unique and special place
Mi and mi brethen dem siddon pon di corner
Me and my friends are hanging out on the street corner
Light up the fire and a boil some green banana
Cooking some food over a fire
Later wi haffi go igloo out a Hellshire
Later, we have to go take a dip in the cool waters of Hellshire beach
Ohoo. Ohoooho. oh. ooh
Singing sounds of enjoyment and excitement
Mek a little stop by mi gyal fren Lorna
Stopping by to see my female friend Lorna
Long time mi nuh si har and a long time mi want ah
It's been a while since I've seen her and I've missed her
Blaze up the music inna dah side a dah bimma yah
Playing music loudly from the car
I feel like jamming into the reggae beat
I feel like dancing to the reggae music
Bubble up your body just a move your feet
Move your feet and dance energetically
I feel like jamming to the sweet vibration
I feel like dancing and enjoying the positive feelings
Oooh Sweet Jamaica
Expression of admiration for Jamaica
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Asking for a show of appreciation for Jamaica
Raise it to the sky let me see your hand
Raising the hand to show appreciation
Lord have mercy (I like mi sweet Jamaica)
Expression of gratitude for Jamaica
Sweet Jamaica
Repeating admiration for Jamaica
Dah die die woieee
Expression of excitement and enjoyment
Sweet sweet Jamaica wi nah lef yah
We will never leave Jamaica's side
Love wi ackee and wi saltfish wi nah left yah
We love the traditional Jamaican food and will never leave it
Soft yam and banana
Soft and sweet yam and banana
Wi nah lef yah
We will never leave Jamaica
And mi big flour dumplin
Large Jamaican dumplings made with flour
Mi nah left yah
I will never leave Jamaica
Ain't nothing like the sweet cool breeze a jamdown
The sweet, cool breeze in a Jamaican party is incomparable
String up the sound
Set up the music system
Hole heap a vibes can't done
The good feeling and positive energy is endless
Reggae music beautiful and people just a have fun
Reggae music is wonderful and people are enjoying themselves
Jerk pan a blaze and hole heap a fish a steam down
The jerk chicken is cooking and lots of fish are being steamed
Wi proud a wi island
We are proud of our island
Lord a God, mi say wi proud a wi island
Expression of pride for Jamaica
Come Mr Vegas wi proud a wi island
Mr Vegas also expresses pride for Jamaica
Outlaw Josey Wales mi say mi proud a mi island
Outlaw Josey Wales is also proud of Jamaica
Die doooo
Expression of enjoyment
I yeaaaa
Expression of excitement
Proud a wi Island
Repeating pride for Jamaica
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Asking for another show of appreciation for Jamaica
Raise it to the sky let me see your hand
Raising the hand again to show appreciation
If you love Jamaica let me see your hand
Asking for one final show of appreciation for Jamaica
Writer(s): Orville Burrell, Clement Dodd, Clifford Ray Smith, Indra Denys Rudder, Joseph Sterling
Contributed by Audrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrea Dee
I don't care about all the negative things people say about Jamaica I love my island and my people i am a proud Jamaican!
Vanessa Albert
I would like to come to your Jamaica one day!
John Harvey
999
Rn
guv and paullie x
Jamacian born st Andrews, grew up portland ,paradise x
guv and paullie x
I an I st Andrews born near porland ,mi proud, if you love jamacia lek mi see dhem hand, jamacia and proud
Extra-Ordnaire
Who talks shit about jomaica? The way we love your music youโll be shocked lol
Gaolatlhe Kebonye
One thing I like about Jamaicans is that they are very very proud of where they belong,big up๐
Jacqueline Davis
Big up st Elizabeth burn savannah
Jacqueline Davis
Big up my country Jamaica Jamaica
Jacqueline Davis
Iam born Jamaican