The band was started by brothers Vaughn Benjamin (August 13, 1969 - November 4, 2019)
(vocals) and Ron Benjamin (keyboard, but later switched to bass) circa 1989 according to an interview with former Midnite drummer Ambrose "Amby" Connor by Midnight Raver. 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.
The Benjamin brothers were raised in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, the sons of Antiguan musician Ronnie Benjamin, Sr. Vaughn Benjamin cites Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, The Abyssinians, and bassist Flabba Holt as his earliest influences.
"Bob Marley has had a big impact. And the drum and the bass from like Flabba Holt. Sometimes I listen to the bass man alone or the drummer alone."
The group's debut album Unpolished was released exclusively in Namibia in December 1997. The album would not see a proper U.S. release until the Rastafaria label released it wide in 2001. They recorded Ras Mek Peace (Before Reverb and Without Delay) while living in Washington, D.C. during the mid-90s, and it was released in November 1999. The album was named so, because it was reportedly recorded live in one room, straight to two-track analog tape. It was mastered without the use of compression or corrective equalization. Like Unpolished, Ras Mek Peace (Before Reverb and Without Delay) is recorded using no mixing board, no filtering, no compression, no equalization, no noise reduction, multitracking or overdubbing, giving it a similar raw sound. The album was recorded using only two-tracks at Mapleshade in Upper Marlboro, MD with studio engineer and owner Pierre Sprey whose recording style is summed up in the phrase he had printed to green Mapleshade T-shirts to promote the studio: NO Mixing Board, NO Overdubs, NO Noise Reduction, NO Compression, NO Multitracks, NO Reverb, NO EQ, Nothing BUT The Excitement of Live Music, MUSIC WITHOUT COMPROMISE.
Later, they returned home to St. Croix in the late '90s to play with local musicians and record at their music studio, Afrikan Roots Lab.
Midnite frequently collaborates with new artists and has played as the back-up band on a number of Afrikan Roots Lab artists' releases, such as Dezarie's Fya and Gracious Mama Africa and Ikahba's Trodding to Zion.
In September 2011, Midnite released their first professionally produced music video for their song "Mongst I&I". The video features members of the band in casual settings and depicts the Rastafarian culture in Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands (referred to as "Freedom City," St. Croix), and Kingston, Jamaica.
Singer Vaughn Benjamin featured on Tribal Seeds' 2014 album Representing.
The band was featured in the 2014 documentary film Escape To St Croix.
In 2015, the band reformed around co-founder Vaughn Benjamin as Akae Beka without bassist Ron Benjamin. Ras Elyments Took Ron Benjamins Position on Bass. Suren Felton 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. '. Akae Beka's first performance took place in Denver, Colorado on July 17, 2015 in honor of Nelson Mandela Day.
Vaughn Benjamin died in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on November 4, 2019, at the age of 50.
In its Top 50 Reggae Albums of the 2K list, reggae news and information website Midnight Raver ranked Midnite's Jubilees of Zion as the best album of the new millennium and 'Beauty for Ashes' as the third best. In its review of Akae Beka's Homage To The Land, Midnight Raver referred to Midnite as "the most revered, influential and prolific reggae act in two decades."
Bazra
Midnite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the Eyes of Jah
in the Eyes of Jah
Put this whole soul outlaw put the 23rd psalm and executed the where them dove walls a ba by the rivers of babylon bazra youth red eyes and comin deep in blood baba youth when they lick another one Chant fi di root higher chant fi di root chant fi di root
All kind of man Jah need some right of and some poor free is the sight of the last time is vanity and need a hundred pear a shoes a wear most a sadam pitt
I cross a 100 miles of BLOOD
RED SEA 100 000 miles of BLOOD RED SEA SEA you cannot appease
Put this soul outlaw put the 23 psalm and still executed whether them do walls above when u lick another one chant fi di root
All kind of hi-profile recrute wear it a game most time it’s untruth high up upon your time a video if internet activity
me a sure you say nature is my scenery mean cannabi speak every true you carry natty carry natty unless a moonlight back tick Jah have with me plantation is the daughter make highly stop and none of them come but me them can’t JAH just dust and make the guilty go free well
Chant from the root grow out from the route we could never call home dada u can’t apolagize miss care to leave red eyes n camin deep in blood baba youth when you lick another one Chant for di root
thaliban and sufi thurv and dan di gout vi red eyes and come in blood deep deep blood baba youth when they lick another one chant fi di rule Red in the eyes of Jah red still in the eyes of Jah red in the eyes of Jah red eyes n comin deep in BLOOOWD baba youth oh oh blood baba youth baba youth when vi lick another one chnat fi di root IN the eyes of JAH man could never hear no vatican fresh traitor
In the Eyes of Jah
In the Eyes of Jah
in the Eyes of Jah
The song "Bazra" by Midnite is a powerful commentary on oppression, corruption and the struggle for freedom. The lyrics seem to describe the situation of a soul outlaw, who uses the power of the 23rd psalm to fight against a corrupt system that has executed people and oppressed the youth. The setting of the song is by the rivers of Babylon, a symbol of exile and displacement for many African diasporic communities. The youth are described as having red eyes and coming deep in blood, which could be a reference to their suffering and the violence they have experienced. The song calls for chanting for the root, which could mean connecting to the spiritual and cultural roots of resistance and resilience.
The lyrics also touch on themes of class inequality and the false promises of material wealth. The line "All kind of man Jah need some right of and some poor free is the sight of the last time is vanity and need a hundred pear a shoes a wear most a sadam pitt" suggests that Jah (God) cares about justice and fairness, and that material possessions are insignificant in the face of death. The song's critique of power structures extends to religious institutions ("ya shallow and ya empty the pope undertaker come come bear nativity") and political systems ("all them governing power come from robbery").
Overall, "Bazra" is a passionate and thought-provoking song that speaks to the ongoing struggles for freedom and justice around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Put this whole soul outlaw put the 23rd psalm and executed the where them dove walls a ba by the rivers of babylon bazra youth red eyes and comin deep in blood baba youth when they lick another one Chant fi di root higher chant fi di root chant fi di root
This lyric describes a soulful outlaw who recites the 23rd psalm before executing his plan. He is in Bazra, near the rivers of Babylon, with red eyes and a violent urge. He chants to honor his roots and ancestry.
All kind of man Jah need some right of and some poor free is the sight of the last time is vanity and need a hundred pear a shoes a wear most a sadam pitt
This line refers to the idea that everyone deserves equal rights and that being poor is a form of freedom. It also implies that vanity is pointless in the face of death and suffering, and that material possessions are not a measure of worth.
I cross a 100 miles of BLOOD
RED SEA 100 000 miles of BLOOD RED SEA SEA you cannot appease
I, with ya shallow and ya empty the pope undertaker come come bear nativity all them governing power come from robbery from robbery from robbery
These lines are a metaphor for the struggle and violence the singer has faced. He has crossed a sea of blood, and no amount of appeasement or shallow sentiment can relieve his pain. He calls out corrupt governing powers and their robbery of his people's resources.
All kind of hi-profile recrute wear it a game most time it’s untruth high up upon your time a video if internet activity
me a sure you say nature is my scenery mean cannabi speak every true you carry natty carry natty unless a moonlight back tick Jah have with me plantation is the daughter make highly stop and none of them come but me them can’t JAH just dust and make the guilty go free well
This section describes the deception and falsehoods prevalent in high-profile recruitment, where people wear masks to hide their true intentions. The artist asserts his love for nature, truth, and cannabis. He claims to be guided by Jah and to have built a plantation that has halted others' attempts at colonization. He also expresses his belief that Jah will not let the guilty go unpunished.
Chant from the root grow out from the route we could never call home dada u can’t apolagize miss care to leave red eyes n camin deep in blood baba youth when you lick another one Chant for di root
thaliban and sufi thurv and dan di gout vi red eyes and come in blood deep deep blood baba youth when they lick another one chant fi di rule Red in the eyes of Jah red still in the eyes of Jah red in the eyes of Jah red eyes n comin deep in BLOOOWD baba youth oh oh blood baba youth baba youth when vi lick another one chnat fi di root IN the eyes of JAH man could never hear no vatican fresh traitor
This final section repeats the previous themes of chanting to honor one's roots and ancestry. It describes the struggle of being unable to find a true home and seeing the world through red eyes, filled with bloodshed. The artist mentions various religious groups and refers to a lack of apologies or care from those who perpetuate violence. The repetition of 'In the Eyes of Jah' emphasizes that the artist's actions are guided by justice and righteousness.
Contributed by Charlotte N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sista Iria Cruzan Ohioan
on 360
How it come out
pon the label
Part one the scene
Pon the register pon the turntable
An art come in
And then the form metamorph
Like them don't regard
That part is the history
And it broke out a wall
Reach the world afterall
High King Selassie I the first
He is The Master of Verse with finalities
And the people have dem selection fe which dem a
each
when traveling journeys
And before you even realize
you reach how the vibes stay 'plete
Complete
Mek a Heaven where you dead there have you
choose it away
And leave
If Instructional word people don't wan't to
heard
When is plea
Afraid of the wait and see
End up 360
expression
Everyone in reality inna similarity
Look how everywhere you reach
a look alike you see to somebody
Music whey help people take their stand
New music worldwide always in demand
Jah give the mountain, waters and the sand
They watching the metamorphosis of
expression
interesante song
This is how it move along
ant it a hill and valley
Itiful country,country
Country nah feel so jumpy
Fe steady and easy
Is really a scenic drive to see
And the spirit ina right vibrationally
Inna the natural how to see
How the Earth look free
And the birds and the bees done see
See you a pree
And come in visitationally
Is a Rastaman he be
Haile Selassie
Yagga pot ina jeep
Sista Iria Cruzan Ohioan
on 360
How it come out
pon the label
Part one the scene
Pon the register pon the turntable
An art come in
And then the form metamorph
Like them don't regard
That part is the history
And it broke out a wall
Reach the world afterall
High King Selassie I the first
He is The Master of Verse with finalities
And the people have dem selection fe which dem a
each
when traveling journeys
And before you even realize
you reach how the vibes stay 'plete
Complete
Mek a Heaven where you dead there have you
choose it away
And leave
If Instructional word people don't wan't to
heard
When is plea
Afraid of the wait and see
End up 360
expression
Everyone in reality inna similarity
Look how everywhere you reach
a look alike you see to somebody
Music whey help people take their stand
New music worldwide always in demand
Jah give the mountain, waters and the sand
They watching the metamorphosis of
expression
interesante song
This is how it move along
ant it a hill and valley
Itiful country,country
Country nah feel so jumpy
Fe steady and easy
Is really a scenic drive to see
And the spirit ina right vibrationally
Inna the natural how to see
How the Earth look free
And the birds and the bees done see
See you a pree
And come in visitationally
Is a Rastaman he be
Haile Selassie
Yagga pot ina jeep
Wun
on Livity
Word Hide
Wun
on Livity
Waiting as the documents arrive
Wun
on Livity
Shredding machines stay on, waiting as the documents arrive
RAS KARMA
on Again a Lion
Covenant ( as in the Nazerite Covenant)
Jahlion
on That's On You (Owna Dirt)
One of the most spiritual reggae tunes ever. Truth ina the music being produced by Jah gifted mind fe lift I black righteous Israelite
Praca Tuner
on Jah Ovah
Everytime I listen to Midnite I am motivated to live a better life. Beautiful indeed.
Kris
on Strongly
Hello. Does any one knows where can I find the lyrics from the son strongly from the disc scheme a things? Thanks
Sophia Campbell
on In 8
Can you please post the lyrics for In 8