Mr Vegas rides crest of reggae wave

MV: I don’t know what you mean by explicit! Perhaps, Kenya’s perception of what is really explicit is different from Jamaican one. As far as I know 99 percent of my songs are played in various schools within Jamaica and outside. Do You Know and Heads High having taken the lead. So why not play them for my family?

P: Weed smoking is known to be a common among Jamaican artistes who describe it as a ‘holy herb’ that relaxes the mind. Do you smoke weed?

MV: Well I do, but a little. However, this does not mean that I or any other Jamaican artistes are encouraging the young to do the same, especially when you see some of them doing it in their videos. It’s just the same way Breweries would advertise beer on television. This doesn’t mean that it is encouraging the youth to indulge in alcohol. Everything has its time.

P: Tell us about your vocal style. You are known to do the sing-jay, while maintaining your voice, does this mean you do not have a style of your own?

MV: Not really. Long before sing-jay came about, I did copyright songs. But after breaking my jaw in 1996, it kind of changed my style. I couldn’t really sing, as I would have wanted because of the complications arising from my mouth. So I had to stick to a more hardcore sing-jay style. The first tune was Nike Air (Hands in the Air) and that’s where I would sing through my teeth. Even after I recovered I decided to stick to the style because I realised that it worked even better.

P: Given the state, that you are among the Jamaican artistes who have made a difference. How have you approached that responsibility?

MV: It is a good feeling to see that people love and appreciate my work. Because of this, I do not intend to let them down. They will keep seeing my steadfastness and persistence in getting the music out to the people.

P: Give us some background on your latest CD?

MV: Well, I am in the process of recording it. All I can say is that it has a number of songs. I have also worked with a number of producers whose input has made a difference such that you do not have songs that sound the same.

P: Why did you call yourself Mr Vegas?

MV: A mischievous cousin of mine gave the name to me. We were playing soccer one day, and they had this club they call `Las Vegas’ where they had these go-go dancers. My cousin teased me claiming that I played the same way the girls did at the club dance. According to him I played like a girl. (Laughs and then pauses) So that name kind of just stuck from then onwards despite my efforts to resist it.

P: Are you part of the Rastafarian Movement?

MV: Nope! I am part of God’s movement

P: What is your opinion about it?

MV: I believe everyone is entitled to their beliefs and how they chose to embrace it. That is beyond my comment.

P: Was there a specific moment when you knew you were going to be successful?

MV: Yeah, when I released Heads High- I knew it was a big thing and saw success coming my way

P: How would your music impact me if I knew nothing about Ragga music?

MV: My music is positive. The songs appeal to almost every situation in life. There’s one that deals with love, there’s one that deals with the way the youths are lured in to dangerous lifestyles while others urge them to watch out for life is precious. It’s music for everybody.

P: What do you think about your newfound fame and how do you think it will affect you in the future?

MV: Well, in this business of ragga music — dancehall as you call it — the important thing is to stay focused. You’ve got to be going around the studios and voicing on difference tracks and stuff like that. But the main thing is to respect your fans and those who are behind the success of your music. Besides, you have to just keep on working... and finding new styles. You know, catchy lyrics, stuff that people can really relate to... stuff that people can sing along with. I want to stick around and just `big up’ the ladies as I always do among other things. All in all, I would like God to take charge of my life and music.

P: What are your thoughts on the international growth of Reggae music?

MV: I think there’s been a lot of confusion and misconception by a section of Jamaican reggae artistes who feel that ragga or dancehall music is caught up in the "American Dream" sounding like their hip hop brothers. They have even compared it to that limb from a tree that has grown out of proportion with confusing lyrics. It is high time they know that even though they keep singing about people suffering and looking out towards the motherland this, does not change their state of life.

P: Who is your main influence?

MV: Almighty God, Barrington Levy and my fans. They have influenced who I am today.

P: How do those around you describe you?

MV: If I’m not on stage, I’m still on my music. Sometimes you might come around me and find me singing and writing songs. I love to entertain people by making them laugh and happy.

P: If you were not a singer, what profession would you be?

MV: I really love to sing. It’s hard imagining anything else. The greatest and the noblest thing I could do is to educate people, which I feel is an important aspect of what I do as a ragga singer. So right now I want to use the opportunity to educate the people.

P: What accomplishment are you most proud of to date?

MV: The fact that I have managed to gain my position in the heart of the people is my greatest achievement to date. And also being in the forefront of a charity organisation called Jamaican Men Against Race.

P: When you’re not on tour, how do you like to spend your time?

MV: Spending time with my family and that special person in my life. I love to make and fix things. I believe in living a natural life. Many times people call me and want me to do a performance at a school or at a university. And I have never let them down.

P: How would you like to be remembered?

MV: I want the people to remember me as a humble musician who is willing to take the music to the people.

P: What is the one thing that no one knows about you that you wish everyone knew?