Dancehall reggae star Mr. Vegas (nee Clifford Smith) came to Atlanta recently and blessed fans with a high energy performance. Mr. Vegas fresh from his Irie Jamboree debacle seemed untethered by the incident and gave partygoers at Club 426 their money's worth. (For those unfamiliar with the situation, Mr. Vegas was slated to perform at the Irie Jamboree Music Festival in New York on September 6 however he didn't have the opportunity to perform). Mr. Vegas performed many of his hit songs including Hot Wuk, Heads High, Jack It Up, Tek Way Yourself, Big Tings A Gwaan and his most recent hit I Am Blessed.

Mr. Vegas has been in the dancehall game over a decade now and definitely knows how to work a stage (maybe he worked in Vegas in a previous life!). His expansive list of hit songs, experience and music savvy has kept him busy performing around the globe even after a brief "retirement" was announced last year. It is clear that music is his passion and Mr. Vegas couldn't stay out of the game for too long. I caught up with Mr. Vegas for a few minutes after his set. I really wanted to know how he has remained so successful through the years.

What has been your secret to longevity in the music business? When I came into the game in 1997, I realized that people like to party and they want to have a good time. That's why I do music so that people can enjoy themselves Who are some of your musical inspirations then and now? (Now) Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston (then) Barrington Levy, Tennesaw Irie Jamboree: It wasn't really my fault and it could have been a little bit better but at the end of the day its about the music and I hope that the next time it will be better.

Posted by: on Sep 23, 2009