By Baldwin S. A. Howe
Reggae Times has learnt that one of Jamaica and Reggae music’s most dynamic and prolific vocal and performing acts, Clifford Smith, popularly known worldwide as Mr. Vegas has decided to abandon the life and career he has built for over the last 11 years in the international music business.
Mr. Vegas is quoted in the national media saying, “Thank everybody weh believe inna me and help me fi do 11 years inna de music, even when everybody else a try stop me. But my main thing now is to be closer to God Almighty and spend more time with my kids.”
Mr. Vegas told the media that God ordained his decision and it was something he has been considering doing it for a few years now. “Is jus’ something weh a build up inna me from a few year back. Me jus’ deh somewhere and me nuh happy. Me a fight a battle and a do something weh me nuh enjoy. He was quoted to say.
TO
Mr. Vegas think the time is now right for him to get closer to God and his kids. However, he said he is not planning to start recording gospel music. Mr. Vegas explained that at one point earlier he had attempted to leave the business when deejay Bounty Killer made some negative comments about him. He said if he had stepped away at that time he would have given Bounty Killer the victory, which would cause people to say, “Bounty mash up Vegas’ career.” On the gospel music question he said, “I have no plans to do gospel music. I don’t know what God has planned for me.”
Mr. Vegas gained star status after scoring with such hits as, “Heads High”, “Nike Air”, and Jacket.” Mr.
Vegas told the media that he showed the world that only God is the master when he was able to score many more hits after Bounty’s verbal attack. Some of those song are, “Taxi Fare” “Tek Weh Yuhself and more. He further emphasized that no one is bigger than God.
Over the years Mr. Vegas has been troubled with, pericarditis and gastroesophageal reflux illness. On the question of his health in relation to his decision, he said, “This move have nothing to do with my health. Mi deh pon me hospital bed already and me get up out a deh bed fi perform so dat me can mek people happy and so dat the promoters nuh lose dem money wah dem pay.”
FUTURE DATES CANCELLED?
Section of the media has written that Mr. Vegas is also currently trying to cancel his upcoming performance dates. However, he is said to be experiencing some difficulty in achieving this.
“Me a try explain to dem, (the Promoters), but m feel bad fi a walk out pon de people dem weh spend dem money. It’s jus’ nuff things. You would have to be in my shoes. Sometimes you try fi mek other people around you happy but you unhappy.” Mr. Vegas was reported to have said, while tears were said to pour from his eyes. Mr. Vegas went on to say that although the decision is a tough one it is something he has to do. He said it has nothing to do with anyone and he hopes his fans will understand and accept his decision.
CHARTS #1 SONG IN
While the news of Mr Vegas’ resignation from the international music environment was still reverberating on the national music scene, Reggae Times also learnt that the artiste has just registered a number one song, “Mus’
Popular European radio and sound personality David Rodigan is quoted for saying, “I play Mus’ Come A road” all week long on my radio show. It is a massive tune in
It is understood that the power and potential of the “
In another report also posted in the national media it is said that, based on the popularity and success of, “Mus Come A Road”, Mr Vegas is preparing to tour some major countries in Europe.
Reggae Times is unable to ascertain what is the real situation but remains true to its mandate in reporting what is happening in Reggae music.