Akae Beka, Midnite

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Akae Beka, Midnite

@akae-beka-midniteSince 2012by

Est. 1989 — St. Croix

The story

Midnite was formed in 1989 in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, by brothers Vaughn Benjamin (vocals) and Ron Benjamin (keyboards, bass), sons of the Antiguan musician Ronnie Benjamin Sr. Their music is roots reggae in the deepest 1970s Jamaican tradition — hypnotic, stripped-down and message-first, carried by Vaughn's unmistakable chant-and-call voice.

The band debuted with Unpolished (1997) and followed with Ras Mek Peace (1999), famously recorded straight to two-track analog tape without a mixing board, compression or EQ. From there the catalogue grew at a pace unmatched in reggae: more than 60 Midnite albums on labels such as Afrikan Roots Lab and I Grade Records.

"The most revered, influential and prolific reggae act in two decades." — Midnight Raver

Landmark records along the way:

Unpolished (1997) — the debut, first released in Namibia
Ras Mek Peace (1999) — the audiophile analog session
Jubilees of Zion (2000) — ranked the best reggae album of the new millennium by Midnight Raver
Beauty for Ashes (2014) — the I Grade collaboration, ranked third best of the millennium

On stage the band became legendary for marathon sets that regularly passed the three-hour mark, played without setlists and without covers — a meditation more than a concert.

Gallery

From the archive

1 / 10

2015 – 2019

From Midnite to Akae Beka

In 2015, following what Vaughn Benjamin described as "life changes, convictions and revelations", the band reformed around him under a new name: Akae Beka — a phrase drawn from the Book of Enoch. The first Akae Beka show was played in Denver on July 17, 2015, in honour of Nelson Mandela International Day.

As Akae Beka, Benjamin released eleven more albums — including Portals and Rule the Time on I Grade Records — while touring as relentlessly as ever.

Vaughn Benjamin passed away on November 4, 2019, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, at the age of 50. With more than 70 albums to his name, he leaves one of the largest and most singular bodies of work in reggae history.

"He wasn't into clichés, he wanted to change minds. Vaughn always said he wasn't an entertainer or artist — that implied he was a part-timer." — Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred, I Grade Records

This page carries the archive of midnite-culture.com forward — the photos, the words and the iditations of a band whose music was never entertainment, but livity.

About the artist

Akae Beka, Midnite

Midnite was a roots reggae band from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, formed in 1989 by brothers Vaughn Benjamin (vocals) and Ron Benjamin (keyboards, bass). Rooted in the 1970s Jamaican tradition, their spiritually charged chant-and-call style and marathon live sets earned a devoted worldwide following across more than 60 albums. In 2015 the band reformed around Vaughn Benjamin as Akae Beka, releasing another eleven albums before his passing on November 4, 2019. All original music, never covers — a towering legacy of modern roots reggae.

Active since2012

Page@akae-beka-midnite

Members

Michel Maldonado

Datjy

Wavuz Com

PAST SHOWS

JUN222002
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival · Boonville, CA, USA
AUG72004
Reggae on the River · Humboldt County, CA, USA
AUG132011
Northwest World Reggae Festival · Marcola, OR, USA
APR192012
Open-air show · Provolt, OR, USA
AUG212014
Rototom Sunsplash · Benicàssim, Spain
JUL172015
First show as Akae Beka — Nelson Mandela Day · Denver, CO, USA

Listen & follow

Links & social

Press

What people are saying

The most revered, influential and prolific reggae act in two decades.
Midnight Raver
Renowned for his prolific output and complex, spiritually instructive lyrics.
BillboardVaughn Benjamin appreciation, 2019
He wasn't into clichés, he wanted to change minds. Vaughn always said he wasn't an entertainer or artist — that implied he was a part-timer.
Laurent "Tippy I" AlfredI Grade Records
A unique artist who touched the heart and soul of many reggae fans worldwide.
Reggae VibesThe Mythical Legend of Reggae (1969–2019)
One of the world's most influential roots reggae bands.
V.I. Consortium

Est. 1989 — St. Croix

The story

"The most revered, influential and prolific reggae act in two decades." — Midnight Raver

Landmark records along the way:

Unpolished (1997) — the debut, first released in Namibia
Ras Mek Peace (1999) — the audiophile analog session
Jubilees of Zion (2000) — ranked the best reggae album of the new millennium by Midnight Raver
Beauty for Ashes (2014) — the I Grade collaboration, ranked third best of the millennium

On stage the band became legendary for marathon sets that regularly passed the three-hour mark, played without setlists and without covers — a meditation more than a concert.

Gallery

From the archive

1 / 10

2015 – 2019

From Midnite to Akae Beka

As Akae Beka, Benjamin released eleven more albums — including Portals and Rule the Time on I Grade Records — while touring as relentlessly as ever.

"He wasn't into clichés, he wanted to change minds. Vaughn always said he wasn't an entertainer or artist — that implied he was a part-timer." — Laurent "Tippy I" Alfred, I Grade Records

This page carries the archive of midnite-culture.com forward — the photos, the words and the iditations of a band whose music was never entertainment, but livity.

About the artist

Akae Beka, Midnite

Active since2012

Page@akae-beka-midnite

Members

Michel Maldonado

Datjy

Wavuz Com

PAST SHOWS

JUN222002
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival · Boonville, CA, USA
AUG72004
Reggae on the River · Humboldt County, CA, USA
AUG132011
Northwest World Reggae Festival · Marcola, OR, USA
APR192012
Open-air show · Provolt, OR, USA
AUG212014
Rototom Sunsplash · Benicàssim, Spain
JUL172015
First show as Akae Beka — Nelson Mandela Day · Denver, CO, USA

Listen & follow

Links & social

Press

What people are saying

The most revered, influential and prolific reggae act in two decades.
Midnight Raver
Renowned for his prolific output and complex, spiritually instructive lyrics.
BillboardVaughn Benjamin appreciation, 2019
He wasn't into clichés, he wanted to change minds. Vaughn always said he wasn't an entertainer or artist — that implied he was a part-timer.
Laurent "Tippy I" AlfredI Grade Records
A unique artist who touched the heart and soul of many reggae fans worldwide.
Reggae VibesThe Mythical Legend of Reggae (1969–2019)
One of the world's most influential roots reggae bands.
V.I. Consortium