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."
Love the life you live
Midnite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
You should lead the life you love
You should lead the life you love
World is in trouble
Upon creation
Goodness and mercy
Driven from the minds of the people
Lamentation
Jah Sire deliver me
Jah Sire have mercy
Jah Sire Father send I some
goodness and mercy
It a go murder them a go charge for
A pure chemical industry
Them a run from cultivation
Goodness and mercy
Driven from the minds of the people
Lamentation
Jah Sire deliver me
Jah Sire have mercy
Jah Sire Father send I some
goodness and mercy
Send I some goodness
Send I some goodness and mercy
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
The mountains of Africa
They are familiar to me
You see the black sons of Cush
We were scattered everywhere
For as far as the eyes could see
But we are from the
mountains of the moon
Kile Man Jah Row, Kile Man Jah Row
Mount Re Wen Zui, Mount Nebo
Kile Man Jah Row
So we love the life we live
Lead the life we love
We love the life we live
Lead the life we love
Lead the life we love
Lead the life we love
No tears, you don’t shed no tears
You don’t shed no tears
Awhoa no tears seen seen
Your body is your temple
Your one and only temple
You body is your temple
Your one and only temple
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
You lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Humanitarians
Those of you saving only animals
Humanitarians
Remove the scales from
your eyes whoa, whoa
Humanitarian saving whales
I’m saying what about humanity
Remove the scales from your eyes whoa
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Don’t shed no tears
You don’t shed no tears
You don’t shed no tears
You don’t shed no tears
When I cry I cry dry
When I cry I cry dry
When I cry I cry dry
When I cry I cry dry
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
You lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye
Aye, aye, aye
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
Midnite's "Love the life you live" is a deep and philosophical song that encourages listeners to embrace their lives and lead them in a positive way. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of loving the life that one lives and leading it in a way that brings happiness and fulfillment. The song speaks to the challenges we may face in life, referencing troubles in the world, and encourages listeners to find strength in their beliefs to persevere.
The lyrics of the song also reference the disconnection between people and their spiritual selves, as well as a lack of compassion for humanity. The song suggests that we must remove the scales from our eyes and focus on living our best lives while also recognizing the suffering of others. The song also references the mountains of Africa and how Black people were once scattered around the world, but now embrace their roots and lead lives filled with love and positivity.
Overall, "Love the life you live" serves as a reminder to listeners to appreciate their lives, find joy in the present moment, and embrace their true selves. The song touches on themes of spirituality, love, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Line by Line Meaning
Love the life you live
Enjoy and appreciate the life you are living
Lead the life you love
Pursue a life that brings you happiness and fulfillment
You should lead the life you love
Empowering advice to follow your passions and dreams
World is in trouble
The state of the world is tumultuous
Arm a geddon shall show her face
A state of war and destruction is imminent
Upon creation
Since the beginning of time
Goodness and mercy
Kindness and compassion
Driven from the minds of the people
People have lost their sense of empathy and compassion
Lamentation
Expressing grief or sorrow
Jah Sire deliver me
Prayer for divine intervention and protection
Jah Sire have mercy
Appeal for divine compassion and forgiveness
Jah Sire Father send I some goodness and mercy
Asking God for guidance and help during tough times
It a go murder them a go charge for
The consequences of damaging the environment will catch up to those responsible
A pure chemical industry
The use of chemicals and pollutants in industry and agriculture
Them a run from cultivation
Farmers are abandoning traditional farming practices
Send I some goodness
Asking for positivity and kindness to be bestowed upon oneself
Send I some goodness and mercy
Appealing for compassion and divine assistance in one's life
The mountains of Africa
Referring to African heritage and identity
They are familiar to me
A sense of connection and nostalgia for one's roots
You see the black sons of Cush
Referring to the people of Africa
We were scattered everywhere
A reference to the diaspora and displacement of African people
Kile Man Jah Row, Kile Man Jah Row
Possibly a chant or prayer
No tears, you don’t shed no tears
Advocating for strength and composure during trying times
Your body is your temple
Encouraging self-care and respecting one's body
Your one and only temple
Emphasizing the importance and uniqueness of one's body
You are living in the Holy Places
Declaring one's spiritual presence in the world
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
Referring to God's dwelling place and supremacy
Humanitarians
People who are devoted to promoting human welfare
Those of you saving only animals
Criticism of people who prioritize animal welfare over human welfare
Remove the scales from your eyes whoa, whoa
Encouraging people to see things clearly and prioritize the right values
When I cry I cry dry
Resilience in the face of pain and adversity
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye
Exclamation or chant
Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Dinkum777
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
You should lead the life you love
You should lead the life you love
World is in trouble
Arm a geddon shall show her face
Upon creation
Goodness and mercy
Driven from the minds of the people
Lamentation
Jah Sire deliver me
Jah Sire have mercy
Jah Sire Father send I some
Goodness and mercy
It a go murder them a go charge for
A pure chemical industry
Them a run from cultivation
Goodness and mercy
Driven from the minds of the people
Lamentation
Jah Sire deliver me
Jah Sire have mercy
Jah Sire Father send I some
Goodness and mercy
Send I some goodness
Send I some goodness and mercy
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
The mountains of Africa
They are familiar to me
You see the black sons of Cush
We were scattered everywhere
For as far as the eyes could see
But we are from the
Mountains of the moon
Kile Man Jah Row, Kile Man Jah Row
Mount Re Wen Zui, Mount Nebo
Kile Man Jah Row
So we love the life we live
Lead the life we love
We love the life we live
Lead the life we love
Lead the life we love
Lead the life we love
No tears, you don't shed no tears
You don't shed no tears
Awhoa no tears seen seen
Your body is your temple
Your one and only temple
You body is your temple
Your one and only temple
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
You lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Humanitarians
Those of you saving only animals
Humanitarians
Remove the scales from
Your eyes whoa, whoa
Humanitarian saving whales
I'm saying what about humanity
Remove the scales from your eyes whoa
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
Don't shed no tears
You don't shed no tears
You don't shed no tears
You don't shed no tears
When I cry I cry dry
When I cry I cry dry
When I cry I cry dry
When I cry I cry dry
Love the life you live
Lead the life you love
You lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Lead the life you love
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye
Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye
Aye, aye, aye
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
You are living in the Holy Places
Of the tabernacle of the most high Jah
@bvibesrighteous
In my opinion, Midnite produces reggae on such a different plane of consciousness that they are incomparable to any other artist. I truly believe they represent the highest expression of the music, and none have come close, nor ever will, to their ability to produce mass quantities of high quality music.
@kennyberenos1217
I share your opnion 4 real Bro...!! Amazing& Pure Holy & Humble Teachings all the time ..Every time....One Love..!! Blessigs from Curacao.....Sunny paradise Island .....
@kennyberenos1217
excuse...Blessigs = Blessings....
@WildPitchSound
mark wonder and midnite on repeat strictly spiritual chants
@qepdestehombre
I feel it. Its other level of music...there's such a mystic and spritual steam or vibe on these tracks . Very emotional .
@juvonforbes369
I love you brother keep that up talk your mind its music
@AmbassadorAusar
This is the man in our times representing for Bob Marley, Burning Spears, and the like! He is the Truth!
@beckyhilltopcarter8948
This man don't represent flesh (no disrespect) This man was The LORD'S VESSEL.
@danielvanschaik3724
This man.....a true prophet... 🙏❤💛💚🙏🏻
@bernadettebradley7951
My mum said that first 💚😘🙌