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July 22, 2007
Vegas Performed Well at Sumfest Despite Health Condition
In spite of Vegas' health condition, he performed a prolific and inspiring set at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest's Explosion Night on July 19. He approached the stage at Catherine Hall, lead by a professional marching band and backed by a gospel choir. The set was entertaining and amusing as professional dancers joined him on stage to Dutty Wine, Tek Way Yourself, and do the Raging Bull.
At the height of such a hot year with the release of hits like Hot Wuk, Lean Wid It, Do You Know and other top charters, Vegas' music has been in demand and can be heard in the streets, at dances, on television and radio airwaves. Hot Wuk dominated charts for weeks in New York, South Florida, and Jamaica.
Yardflex spoke to Vegas recently to find out exactly what is going on in his life and if his health conditions had to do with overworking himself. Vegas replied, "It has nothing to do with work. There are people working harder than me building house, cutting fields, and other things. It's nothing like that. I have Acid Reflux and that has nothing to do with my lifestyle. Some people have the wrong idea; you could be at home all the time and acquire it."
He expounded that Acid Reflux or reflux esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus caused by regurgitation of the contents of the stomach. A symptom is heartburn and one out of every adult in America has it on a daily basis. Suppression of acid in the stomach is the solution. Vegas said, "I will live with it for the rest of my life and I won't be able to eat certain things any more. Melon and other foods will affect my acid reflux. I have to sleep upright to not trigger it as well."
A person may wonder how one can get Acid Reflux. Vegas illuminates further, "Eating a lot of pan-chicken, a lot of black pepper, and food with lots of spices can start to damage vital organs over the years. I also have pericarditus which is very painful, it's like you have the flu that will gradually go away. No one knows how it comes or how it goes away. I may have it to live with it for the rest of my life or not."
Positive about the future, Vegas continues, "I can rest for six months and it can go away. However, I check my heart each time before I go out to perform. I have to be cleared by the doctor first. I am not trying to go on a major festival and not be 100% healthy. Because I am on Sumfest or any concert you see me on, you know I'm okay."
Sounding persistent about not letting this condition hold him down, Vegas discussed some of the current projects that he is working on, "I am working on an antiviolence tune for the elections VUPP which stands for Vegas Unites People Party. The tune is called Me Nah Do It. It tells the youth we nah fight no political fight, we need peace, love and one Jamaica." The video will be filmed at Pembrook Hall next week.