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
Unite
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
君に伝えておきたい事が ねぇあるよ
楽しい瞬間は誰とでも分かち合える
だけど辛く悲しい瞬間には そうそう
他の誰かなんかじゃ 埋められない
夢見る事ですら
忘れないで欲しいよ
自由を右手に 愛なら左手に
抱えて歩こう 時にはつまづきながら
同じ朝が来るのが憂鬱で 急に
四角い空とても むなしく見えて
夜明け頃突然
涙した日もあった
泣きながら伝えた
人間はね儚く だけどね強いモノ
僕には守って行くべき 君がいる
自由を右手に 愛なら左手に
抱えて歩こう 時にはつまづきながら
Wow wow wow
The lyrics are from Mr. Vegas's song "Unite," which is about the importance of holding onto the people and values that matter in life. The line "もう二度とはぐれてしまわぬ様にと..." translates to "So that we never stray again," and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer addresses someone they care about and wants to share a message with them. The singer emphasizes that while we may be able to enjoy happy moments with anyone, it's the difficult moments that truly reveal who is valuable in our lives. The singer reminds us that even in tough times, we should hold onto our dreams and never forget the importance of our freedoms and love.
The second verse touches on the struggle of facing the same mundane routines and losing sight of what's important. The singer shares that they too have cried in the past, but ultimately found strength in their relationships with others. The message of the song is ultimately about unity and perseverance, even in difficult times. One should never be afraid to lean on others for support while navigating through the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
もう二度とはぐれてしまわぬ様にと...
I want to tell you something so we'll never lose each other again...
君に伝えておきたい事が ねぇあるよ
I have something to tell you...
楽しい瞬間は誰とでも分かち合える
We can share happy moments with anyone...
だけど辛く悲しい瞬間には そうそう
But when it comes to the hard and sad moments, well...
他の誰かなんかじゃ 埋められない
No one else can fill that gap.
夢見る事ですら
Even dreaming can be difficult in these times,
困難な時代でも
but I want you to remember
忘れないで欲しいよ
to never forget.
自由を右手に 愛なら左手に
Let's hold freedom in our right hand and love in our left,
抱えて歩こう 時にはつまづきながら
and walk together, even if we stumble along the way.
同じ朝が来るのが憂鬱で 急に
Sometimes I get sad when I think about how every morning is the same,
四角い空とても むなしく見えて
and the square sky looks empty.
夜明け頃突然
But even on the days I cry
涙した日もあった
I want you to know
泣きながら伝えた
that humans are fragile, but also strong.
人間はね儚く だけどね強いモノ
And you're someone worth protecting,
僕には守って行くべき 君がいる
so let's hold freedom in our right hand and love in our left,
自由を右手に 愛なら左手に
and walk together, even if we stumble along the way.
Wow wow wow
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.