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
Taxi Fare
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Caan seh now some gal nuh have taxi fare (Wicked!!!)
And a talk bout dem have hot girls round here
Eye pop out bout dem inna name brand wear
Dance dem again a dem right inna di square
Chorus: Mr. Vegas
All a di gal dem wid dem own taxi fare
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house wid bus fare, mi swear
Mi seh from yuh have yuh own taxi fare
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house fi bus fare
Verse 1: Lexxus
A who mi hear seh come a dancehall and a hype
And don't even have a fifty fi buy a Sprite
Gal, yuh have yuh money then tek di videolight
And nuff a dem don't know how dem a reach home tonight
Eh, di one duck a yo she get so bright
(Yeah) Come in at di people at dancehall buss fight
And a walk from 'Sylum to Papine dat nuh right
Weh yuh call dem gal deh (Foota Hype)
Verse 2: Mr. Vegas
Gal boom ride come a weddy weddy
Not even walk wid a careless Nadine
Dancin dun she nah find nuh boopsie
Tel mi how she a go reach Kingston City
Chorus: Mr. Vegas
All a di gal dem wid dem own taxi fare
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house wid bus fare, mi swear
Mi seh from yuh have yuh own taxi fare
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house fi bus fare
Verse 3: Lexxus
One day a gal tek a cab and she did cabbie
She mek di man bring har go pass di city
When cabbie reach she seh she soon come cabbie
Mi a go inna di house fi get yuh taxi money
Cabbie wait till him get ignorant and a swear
Seh him a go rush har fi him taxi fare
Dat time gal tek two fence three man four square
Right now she could a reach dung a fence
Chorus: Mr. Vegas
All a di gal dem wid dem own taxi fare
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house wid bus fare, mi swear
Mi seh from yuh have yuh own taxi fare
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house fi bus fare
Bridge: Mr. Vegas
Caan seh now some gal nuh have taxi fare
And a talk bout dem have hot girls round here
Eye pop out bout dem inna name brand wear
Dance dem again a dem right inna di square
Chorus: Mr. Vegas
All a di gal dem wid dem own taxi fare
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house wid bus fare, mi swear
Mi seh from yuh have yuh own taxi fare
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Dem a walk to di house fi bus fare
Repeat Verse 1 & Chorus until end
The song "Taxi Fare" by Mr. Vegas and Lexxus criticizes women who go to dancehall without enough money to pay for their taxi fare back home. The artists take issue with women who dress in expensive clothing and yet cannot afford a ride back home. The artists criticize these women for coming to dancehall and trying to portray an image of wealth and privilege, when they are not financially secure enough to pay for their ride home. The song seems to be a commentary on the importance of financial independence and responsibility.
In the verses, Lexxus and Mr. Vegas each give examples of women who come to dancehall without the necessary funds. In one verse, Lexxus tells the story of a woman who cannot even afford to buy a Sprite, but still goes to the dancehall and spends money on unnecessary things like a videolight. In another verse, Mr. Vegas talks about a woman who takes a "boom ride" to the dancehall with a man, but then cannot afford a ride back home. The chorus repeats the message that women who have their own taxi fare should raise their hands, while those who don't are forced to walk home with bus fare.
Overall, the song seems to promote the importance of financial responsibility and independence, particularly for women. The artists criticize those who try to portray wealth without actually having the means to pay for the things they want.
Line by Line Meaning
Caan seh now some gal nuh have taxi fare (Wicked!!!)
I must point out that some girls lack the funds to pay for a taxi ride
And a talk bout dem have hot girls round here
Despite their financial situation, these girls still boast about their attractive appearance
Eye pop out bout dem inna name brand wear
They even wear expensive, branded clothing which catches the eyes of the onlookers
Dance dem again a dem right inna di square
They continue to flaunt themselves at the party, drawing attention from the crowd
All a di gal dem wid dem own taxi fare
Applause to all the ladies with enough money to pay for their own taxi
Mek mi see yuh hand and put yuh hand inna di air
Please show your support by raising your hand in the air
Some gal nuh have nuh cab fare
Not all girls have the finances to pay for a cab ride
Dem a walk to di house wid bus fare, mi swear
They resort to walking or taking the bus instead, I assure you
Mi seh from yuh have yuh own taxi fare
If you have enough money to pay for your own taxi ride
One day a gal tek a cab and she did cabbie
Once, a girl took a taxi and she was the only passenger
She mek di man bring har go pass di city
She instructed the driver to take her beyond the city limits
When cabbie reach she seh she soon come cabbie
Upon arriving at her destination, she told the driver she would be back
Mi a go inna di house fi get yuh taxi money
She claimed she was going inside to retrieve the money for the fare
Cabbie wait till him get ignorant and a swear
The driver grew impatient and angry, cursing at her for making him wait
Seh him a go rush har fi him taxi fare
He threatened to chase her down for the money if she did not pay him immediately
Dat time gal tek two fence three man four square
Meanwhile, the girl managed to evade the driver by jumping over fences and running in different directions
Right now she could a reach dung a fence
As of now, she could be hiding anywhere, even among the fences
Bridge: Caan seh now some gal nuh have taxi fare
I must reiterate that there are girls who simply cannot afford to pay for a taxi ride
Contributed by Elena T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stephanyguerrero1230
This song should’ve been way bigger than it was.
@topaz44niki53
True u a talk
@SoSikWitIt
it is
@anetawelsh6026
Dah time di gyal tek 2 fence 3 lane 4 square😂😂😂😂😂 right now shi guda reach dunga vere,,,,😂😂iconic
@dayshawnwess6840
Yo dis still one of my club reggae hit🔥🔥
@lifewithtash2278
still a listen in 2024
@joseantoniojose7933
Han pasado muchos años desde la última vez que escuché este Dancehall y me recordó aquellos tiempos cuando recién Mr Vegas lo había estrenado. Dancehall que por hoy y siempre únicamente nos hará volar de vuelta a épocas y tiempos innolvidables. A great old school Dancehall hit just great memories will bring us back now and forever. Old school hits.
@dancehallfactz880
Footahype Foota Hypeeeeeee!! 😂😅😂😅
@cozyboy-vv1yh
This song make lexxus and foota hype war dwl
@topaz44niki53
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣