Get TuneDn with Afro music artist Mr. Vegas

When we’re traveling here, there and everywhere in between, music instantly grounds us on our journeys. In DETOUR’s new TuneDn column, we chat with new voices and legendary artists about the sights, sounds and wanderlust that shape who they are.

Up first: International Afro artist, Mr. Vegas. Here is what made the “I Am Blessed” artist who he is today, and what he’s looking forward to in the future.

Where are you from, and how does your background inspire your music?

I am from Kingston, Jamaica. As a child who suffered physical abuse, I found comfort in music at an early age, and I would hang out where the sound system played. It was then and there that I became inspired by the sounds of Tenor Saw, Barrington Levy, and other great reggae artists.

What is your creative process like?

I create music from what is happening around me. I can make a song from a bird chirping, or just someone humming a melody. Currently, I am working on an album for France-based record label “Play 2.” The album will have a mixture of hardcore dancehall music and Afro music. The first single, “Bright Future,” is out and is doing very well. The music I create is euphoric, the songs make you dance and sing along.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

If I could change anything about the industry it would have to be the way in which music is rotated on the radio stations in Jamaica. In my view, they are overly-saturated with foreign music and not enough reggae or dancehall. Because of this, the original sounds have diminished.

Do you feel music is a key factor in a person’s destination choice when planning a vacation?

Yes, music is a key factor when planning a vacation. Many tourists come to Jamaica because of Bob Marley’s music. Likewise, my songs, such as “Gallis” and “Tek Weh Raging Bull,” are songs that people love to dance to. People who want to learn to dance come to Jamaica just to learn the dance moves for these songs.

What do you love most about traveling?

The destination - I mostly love to travel to the North Coast in Jamaica. Must-go places in Jamaica are Dunn’s River Fall, Green Grotto Cave, and Hellshire Beach - the fish and the food festival are the best in the world. I have traveled to Africa, Japan, and Europe. My favorite destination to date is Holland; weed is legal there.

What’s next for you?

I believe the next 20 years of my life in music will be my best. I would like to perform in stadiums like Burna Boy and the other major Afro acts.

Kayra Raecke is a proud brown queer Los Angeles-born neurodivergent with a predilection for syntax, mild cat obsession, and a collection of odd hobbies.

Frances Handy (aka Franie M) is a music marketing and public relations specialist from Staten Island, New York. Music has always been a major influence since interning at Roc Nation, where she assisted on numerous artist marketing projects, brand activations, and PR campaigns. After achieving her BA in Business and Marketing Communication at Berkeley College, she founded public relation and artist branding agency, CGM Publicity.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2023 at 3:00 PM.