Midnite (band)

Midnite
Background information
OriginSt. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
GenresReggae
Years active1989 (1989)–2015
LabelsRastafaria, I Grade Records
MembersVaughn Benjamin
Ron Benjamin
Christian Molina
Edmund Fieulleteau
Edwin Byron
Ras L
Past membersTuff Lion, Dion Hopkins, Abijah Hicks, Philip Merchant, Kenny
Websitewww.akaebeka.com

Midnite was a roots reggae band from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which started playing in 1989.[1]

The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which gives their music a spiritually intense and an overtly Rastafari movement feel. The lyrics are centrally focused on the plights of the oppressed, the inherent faults of the current political, economic and social settings on a global scale, and the redemption available to mankind through a life dedicated to Jah.

In 2015, the band reformed around co-founder Vaughn Benjamin as Akae Beka without bassist Ron Benjamin. Ras Elyments took Ron Benjamin's position on Bass. Suren “SoulJah” Fenton replaced Ras L on keys. The reasons for the reformation have been stated as due to "life changes, convictions and revelations". Stated on the band website was "due to a medical emergency the tour is postponed". Members of the band themselves won't even say during the recent Akae Beka Coronation Tour in November 2015. '.[2] Akae Beka's first performance took place in Denver, Colorado on July 17, 2015 in honor of Nelson Mandela Day.[3]

  1. ^ The British Virgin Islands: Frommer's ShortCuts 2011 "Reggae bands, such as Midnite and Inner Visions have found renewed popularity, although they've been around since the 1980s. Midnite Intense Pressure, Midnite's debut album, firmly established them as a force in roots music; the group .."
  2. ^ "The Akae Beka: Vaughn Benjamin (of Midnite) & full band". Envision Festival. January 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2016-01-28. http://www.envisionfestival.com/
  3. ^ "Midnite --> Akae Beka?". Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (blog). July 2015. Retrieved 2016-01-28.