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.

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Posted by: Red Carpet Shelley on Sep 23, 2009

HE'S SO SPECIAL!!!!!
Mavado's latest album "Mr. Brooks...A Better Tomorrow" debuted at the #1 Top Shotta spot this week on Billboard's Reggae Billboard. David Constantine Brooks aka "Mavado" has been on the reggae scene for some time now but is now gaining greater visibility outside of the Caribbean community. A large part of this is due to his recent hit song "So Special". Mavado performed the song on BET's Rip The Runway and the song is also in rotation on MTV Jams. Although the album has just been released, many of the songs on the album are already big hits (including "So Special") and will be familiar to most reggae heads. In a recent MTV interview Mavado explains how the struggles in his life are the inspiration behind his popular song "So Special".

"I sing about my whole life," "I've been through so many things and I'm still here today, so I try to put message in my song within my life, because it's a reality." "I'm not the only one that's been through struggle," he states. "I know you must have been through some kind of struggle in your life. Everyone [has] struggled." Look out for Mavado on Jay-Z's next album Blueprint 3.

Congratulations Mavado! Can your girl Red Carpet Shelley get a Piece of your Cassava?? I'm just sayin'!!!...

STOP YOUR WHINING!!!
Last month, Jamaica's broadcast commission announced the banning of music containing explicit sexual and/or violent lyrics. Commission spokesman Cordell Green stated the "we've got to clean up the airwaves." At the heart of the controversy is "daggering" . According to the commission, the definition of daggering is a "colloquial term used in dancehall culture as a reference to hardcore sex or what is popularly referred to as 'dry sex' or the activities of persons engaged in the public simulation of various sexual acts and positions". Media outlets not adhering to the ban may face stiff penalties. As a result, Jamaica's CVM and TVJ will likely not broadcast next month's Carnival celebrations in Jamaica. They do not want to run the risk of facing huge fines or being put out of business by the government. No more whining de bum bum!!!

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Posted by: Red Carpet Shelley on Mar 18, 2009