From the moment he opened his laptop, Clifford “was lost” until he found a tutor on campus who helped him make sense of the logic. In the meantime, Clifford earned his GED at age 44 and enrolled at Broward College two years later. Vegas was back in business, making music on his recording label and receiving endorsements from the likes of Beyonce, who tapped him to appear on an official remix to her single “Standing on the Sun.” After a short hiatus to spend more time with his family and delve deeper into his religious beliefs and the origins of his life, Mr. Years passed, his debut album "Heads High" was released, and his hip hop hits, such as “Wild Thing” and The Pharcyde’s and “Passin’ Me By,” began to penetrate the North American market. School was not always in tune with Clifford's career path. "It was one of my songs that I did with DMX and, I was like 'that's me!'" said Clifford. That changed when a professor inadvertently played one of his songs in the background during class, and Clifford’s ear for music betrayed him.
For a while, he was able to keep a low profile because his courses were online.
“Clifford doesn’t need to be enrolled in my class and yet works twice as hard as students half his age.” Sammy Rastagh, associate professor of Behavioral Science. “Clifford is a fearless artist and activist who sticks to his guns and isn’t afraid to speak truth to power,” said Dr. Vegas earn a 4.0 grade-point average, but his professor also named him the most outstanding student in his sociology class. Vegas from his schoolmates in his native Kingston for his penchant to kick a soccer ball like a showgirl, was far from an average student at Broward College. “I’m looking at what my education can do for society.”Ĭlifford, who got the nickname Mr. “I’m not looking at school as what it’s going to do for me,” said Clifford, who got his start as a crooner at local parties but is equally at home with rapping, lovers rock, soca and, most recently, gospel genres. Since he graduated from Broward College this past spring with an Associate of Arts focused on Communication Studies, the acclaimed dancehall veteran who has enjoyed worldwide fame and fortune since his first hit “Nike Air” hit the Jamaican charts, has been pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Florida International University. Vegas has been dancing to a different beat of late. Vegas, or Clifford Smith as he is referred to on his Broward College transcripts, was late for class. The Jamaican reggae artist was in a hurry. Vegas fiddled with sound levels on his speakers while weaving in and out of the fast lane. Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC)Īs Friday night rush hour signaled the start of the weekend, Mr.Social Behavioral Sciences, Human Services.Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.Industry, Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation.Arts, Humanities, Communication, Design.