Reggae is undergoing a transformation. It's being blown apart, and emerging
from the blast like the good guy in a cop movie, is the latest in a new
breed of artist, Mr Vegas. Young, fresh, and burning to bring us the new
flavour, this year's big buzz has his head held high!
Following hot on the heels of his cheeky contemporary, Red Rat, Mr
Vegas is turning the reggae world upside down with his inimitable singing
style and charismatic personality. His massive single "Heads High" blew
away all competition, storming into the UK reggae charts and refusing to
budge from the top slot.
24-year old Vegas began life as Clifford Smith. Born in Kingston, Jamaica
and one of eleven brothers and sisters, his driving ambition was to become
a singer. His first foray into music was at the tender age of eleven when
he paid a visit to a recording studio. Continuing his education, Mr Vegas
honed his smooth vocals by entering local talent contests. The first to
admit that he wasn't always successful, Vegas' commitment proved that his
was a talent that wasn't going to be kept down.
His suitably suave moniker was coined by friends whilst playing football.
His twisting technique and pink shorts reminded them of a go-go dancer
at the local club, Las Vegas. So Mr Vegas he became, the consummate performer,
typifying the spirit of that glittering entertainment capital.
Vegas, is one of a new generation of Jamaican artists, firmly rooted
in a solid musical tradition, yet hungry for the way forward. Like the
US gangsta scene, ragga was in danger of slipping into stereotype, the
music no longer a true expression of a young Jamaican's life. Vegas, always
broad-minded, embraced musical genres as wide apart as American rock and
British dance, absorbing their influences and injecting his unique style
with universal appeal.
A turning point for Vegas came in 1996 when the popular Jamaican DJ/producer,
Don Yute, overheard him singing the track "Killing Me Softly". Yute, impressed
with the sweetness of Vegas' vocals, jumped at the opportunity of collaborating
with him on a cover of AZ Yet's "Last Night".
Months later Vegas' career was to change forever. Whilst in session
at a studio in Kingston, he was approached by a musician angrily claiming
ownership of a DAT tape that didn't actually belong to him. Vegas turned
his back, uninterested. The dispute didn't end there. Vegas' jaw met with
an iron bar and was smashed up.
He spent six uncomfortable weeks with his jaw wired, unable to make
the soulful music that had blown Don Yute away. But the irrepressible Vegas
wasn't going to let a small setback like having his jaw broken stop him
from laying down the vocals. He developed a singing style, no longer pretty,
but out and out hardcore. A cross between singing and rapping, Vegas' new
style was to make him a star.
Against doctor's orders Vegas had his jaw unwired and headed straight
for the studio. This time it was Jeremy Harding's turn to be blown away.
At the time Jeremy was one of Jamaica's lesser known producers. He had
just created the Playground rhythm which was to be immortalised in Beenie
Man's smash "Who Am I ?(Zim Zimma)". Vegas heard it and knew that he had
to record the stunning "Nike Air" on the rhythm and the rest, as they say,
is history.
Vegas has dominated the reggae charts with a string of hits including
"Nike Air", his first chart smash in Jamaica, "Latest News", "Yu Sure"
and the superb
Danny Brownie-produced "Heads High" which was picked up by Kiss FM's
David Rodigan and the Full Frontal girls, steaming into the station's A-list.
The track made it into the Top 75 and is still eclipsing the competition
in the UK reggae charts, where it has held on to the No.1 slot for an unprecedented
ten weeks.
Mr Vegas' spectacular debut album is creating a huge stir, both on
the street and in the industry. It is one of the most talked-about debut's
in the history of ragga, with everyone hungry for that voice. As if this
wasn't enough, Vegas has been nominated as Best International Reggae Act
for the 1998 MOBO awards, up there with fellow ragga royalty, Beenie Man,
Sizzla and Red Rat.
Mr Vegas is most definitely in the building!
