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."
Meditation
Midnite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We only lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming with a uhm
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon ready yeah
Babylon ripe for a pickin’
Babylon you ready for a pickin’ oh gosh
Babylon fruits ripe for a pickin’
Touch them soft
You see them bus ina you hand
Through them neva know
Nature have a time bomb it tickin’
Babylon don’t instruct I
I instruct Babylon
So long man carry water pan them head
And Ina them eye
So long man and man a function
Under your evil dominion
Jah bus the seals that is not my opinion
Meditation, Meditation
We only lickin’ wid a uhrn
Meditation
Lickin’ wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a smooth
Meditation
Lickin’ ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Oh gosh
Babylon know say that
The word is the power yeah yeah
Babylon know not the time nor the Iwah
Yeah yeah
Babylon know Rome is
religious corruption yeah
So Vatican don’t instruct I
I instruct the Vatican
We ya a Rasta wid uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid uhm
In tell lek cha all penetration
Fighting wid a uhm
Spiritual penetration
Fighting wid a uhm
Just a meditation
Ripe yeah Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Babylon ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Oh gosh
Babylon want bruk out the teeth
Of the lion yeah yeah
Babylon know say that the word carry
Iron yeah yeah
Babylon know Rome is religious
corruption yeah
So Babylon don’t instruct I
I instruct Babylon
We all a lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Oh gosh
So long man tell them
Sen see meal ya is healing yeah yeah
So long man a tell them all
about the meat eating yeah yeah
So long man tell them Rome is religious
corruption yeah yeah
Vatican don’t instruct I
I instruct the Vatican
We all a lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
Fighting wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Spiritual penetration
Lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Babylon
The lyrics to Midnite's song "Meditation" express a deep sense of rebellion against "Babylon," which is often used in Rastafarianism to refer to oppressive Western systems, structures and ideologies. The song urges listeners to engage in meditation as a means of spiritual resistance against Babylon. The repetition of "Meditation" indicates the importance the singer places on this practice. He insists that "We only lickin' wid a uhm" and "We only coming wid a uhm," emphasizing the spiritual nature of the practice.
The singer believes that Babylon is ripe for a "pickin'" and its fruits are ready to be harvested. He declares, "Babylon don't instruct I/I instruct Babylon," asserting his autonomy and agency in the face of oppressive societal structures. He urges his listeners to recognize the power of the word, stating that "The word is the power," and to reject the corruption of Rome and the Vatican. The repeated references to "fighting wid a smooth" and "spiritual penetration" further emphasize the importance of spiritual resistance, rather than physical violence, in bringing down Babylon.
Overall, the lyrics of "Meditation" reflect a deep sense of rebellion against oppressive systems and ideologies, and encourage listeners to engage in spiritual practices as a means of resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
Meditation, Meditation
We are focused on meditation
We only lickin’ wid a uhm
Our actions are guided by a spiritual force
Meditation
We are committed to our spiritual practice
We only coming wid a uhm
We come with spiritual power
Meditation
We are focused on meditation
Babylon ripe yeah
The corrupt system of Babylon is ready to be taken down
Babylon ready yeah
Babylon is prepared for its downfall
Babylon ripe for a pickin’
Babylon is ripe for destruction
Babylon you ready for a pickin’ oh gosh
Babylon is going to fall
Babylon fruits ripe for a pickin’
The corrupt system of Babylon is ready to be destroyed
Touch them soft
Take down Babylon gently
You see them bus ina you hand
You can feel Babylon falling apart
Through them neva know
Babylon does not realize it is falling apart
Nature have a time bomb it tickin’
Nature will bring about the downfall of Babylon
Babylon don’t instruct I
Babylon does not guide me
I instruct Babylon
I am the one in control
So long man carry water pan them head
It has been a long time since people have struggled against Babylon
And Ina them eye
Babylon has been a constant presence in people's lives
So long man and man a function
People have been living under Babylon's rule for a long time
Under your evil dominion
Babylon's rule is evil
Jah bus the seals that is not my opinion
Jah has decreed the downfall of Babylon
Lickin’ wid a smooth
We use spiritual power to fight Babylon
Lickin’ wid a smooth
Our spiritual power is smooth and effective
In tell lek cha all penetration
Our spiritual power penetrates everything
Just a meditation
Our meditation is powerful
Babylon want bruk out the teeth
Babylon wants to destroy our power
Of the lion yeah yeah
We are strong like lions
Babylon know say that the word carry
Babylon knows the power of our words
Iron yeah yeah
Our words have the power of iron
Babylon know Rome is religious corruption yeah
Babylon knows that Rome is corrupt
So Babylon don’t instruct I
Babylon does not guide me
I instruct Babylon
I am the one in control
We only fighting wid smooth
Our spiritual power is smooth and effective
We only coming wid a uhm
We come with spiritual power
Spiritual penetration
Our spiritual power penetrates everything
Babylon ripe awhoa
Babylon is ready to be destroyed
So long man tell them
It has been a long time since people spoke out against Babylon
Sen see meal ya is healing yeah yeah
Being vegan and eating natural food is healthier
So long man a tell them all
It has been a long time since people spoke against eating meat
About the meat eating yeah yeah
Eating meat is not healthy
Vatican don’t instruct I
The Vatican does not guide me
I instruct the Vatican
I am the one in control
Contributed by Liam T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@armandopezo3776
Meditation, Meditation
We only lickin' wid a uhm
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming with a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon ready yeah
Babylon ripe for a pickin'
Babylon you ready for a pickin' oh gosh
Babylon fruits ripe for a pickin'
Touch them soft
You see them bus ina you hand
Through them neva know
Nature have a time bomb it tickin'
Babylon don't instruct I
I instruct Babylon
So long man carry water pan them head
And Ina them eye
So long man and man a function
Under your evil dominion
Jah bus the seals that is not my opinion
Meditation, Meditation
We only lickin' wid a uhrn
Meditation
Lickin' wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a smooth
Meditation
Lickin' ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin'
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin'
Oh gosh
Babylon know say that
The word is the power yeah yeah
Babylon know not the time nor the Iwah
Yeah yeah
Babylon know Rome is
religious corruption yeah
So Vatican don't instruct I
I instruct the Vatican
We ya a Rasta wid uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid uhm
In tell lek cha all penetration
Fighting wid a uhm
Spiritual penetration
Fighting wid a uhm
Just a meditation
Ripe yeah Babylon you ready for a pickin'
Babylon ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin'
Oh gosh
Babylon want bruk out the teeth
Of the lion yeah yeah
Babylon know say that the word carry
Iron yeah yeah
Babylon know Rome is religious
corruption yeah
So Babylon don't instruct I
I instruct Babylon
We all a lickin' wid a uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin'
Ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin'
Oh gosh
So long man tell them
Sen see meal ya is healing yeah yeah
So long man a tell them all
about the meat eating yeah yeah
So long man tell them Rome is religious
Corruption yeah yeah
Vatican don't instruct I
I instruct the Vatican
We all a lickin' wid a uhm
Meditation
Fighting wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Spiritual penetration
Lickin' wid a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin'
Babylon....
Meditación, Meditación
Solo lamimos con un uhm
Meditación
Solo venimos con un uhm
Meditación
Solo peleamos con un suave
Meditación
Solo venimos con un uhm
Meditación
Babilonia madura sí
Babilonia lista, sí
Babilonia madura para un pickin '
Babilonia, estás lista para un pickin 'oh, Dios mío
Frutas de Babilonia maduras para una recolección
Tocarlos suave
Los ves autobús en tu mano
A través de ellos neva sabe
La naturaleza tiene una bomba de tiempo que hace tictac
Babilonia no instruye a I
Instruyo a Babilonia
Mientras el hombre cargue agua, déles la cabeza
E ina les miran
Mientras el hombre y el hombre sean una función
Bajo tu malvado dominio
Jah bus los sellos que no es mi opinión
Meditación, Meditación
Solo lamimos con una uhrn
Meditación
Lickin 'wid un suave
Meditación
Solo venimos con un suave
Meditación
Lamiendo maduro sí
Babilonia, ¿estás lista para un pickin?
Babilonia madura sí
Babilonia, ¿estás lista para un pickin?
oh Dios mío
Babilonia sabe decir eso
La palabra es el poder, si, si
Babilonia no sabe el tiempo ni el Iwah
sí, sí
Babilonia sabe que Roma es
corrupción religiosa, sí
Entonces el Vaticano no instruya a I
Instruyo al Vaticano
Somos un Rasta con uhm
Meditación
Solo peleamos con uhm
En tell lek cha toda penetración
Peleando con un uhm
Penetracion espiritual
Peleando con un uhm
Solo una meditación
Maduro, sí Babilonia, estás listo para un pickin '
Babilonia madura awhoa
Babilonia, ¿estás lista para un pickin?
oh Dios mío
Babilonia quiere bruk los dientes
Del león si si
Babilonia sabe decir que la palabra lleva
Hierro si si
Babilonia sabe que Roma es religiosa
corrupción sí
Entonces Babilonia no instruye a I
Instruyo a Babilonia
Todos estamos lamiendo con un uhm
Meditación
Solo luchamos sin problemas
Meditación
Solo venimos con un uhm
Meditación
Solo venimos con un uhm
Meditación
Babilonia madura sí
Babilonia, ¿estás lista para un pickin?
Awhoa maduro
Babilonia, ¿estás lista para un pickin?
oh Dios mío
Mientras el hombre les diga
Sen ver comida ya se está curando, sí, sí
Adiós, hombre, diles a todos
sobre la carne comiendo, si, si
Mientras el hombre les diga que Roma es religiosa
Corrupción sí sí
Vaticano no instruya I
Instruyo al Vaticano
Todos estamos lamiendo con un uhm
Meditación
Luchando con un suave
Meditación
Solo venimos con un uhm
Penetracion espiritual
Lamiendo con un uhm
Meditación
Babilonia madura awhoa
Babilonia, ¿estás lista para un pickin?
Babilonia
@midnitemover5124
Meditation (Babylon Fruits)
Meditation, Meditation
We only lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming with a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon ready yeah
Babylon ripe for a pickin’
Babylon you ready for a pickin’ oh gosh
Babylon fruits ripe for a pickin’
Touch them soft
You see them bus ina you hand
Through them neva know
Nature have a time bomb it tickin’
Babylon don’t instruct I
I instruct Babylon
So long man carry water pan them head
And Ina them eye
So long man and man a function
Under your evil dominion
Jah bus the seals that is not my opinion
Meditation, Meditation
We only lickin’ wid a uhrn
Meditation
Lickin’ wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a smooth
Meditation
Lickin’ ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Oh gosh
Babylon know say that
The word is the power yeah yeah
Babylon know not the time nor the Iwah
Yeah yeah
Babylon know Rome is
religious corruption yeah
So Vatican don’t instruct I
I instruct the Vatican
We ya a Rasta wid uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid uhm
In tell lek cha all penetration
Fighting wid a uhm
Spiritual penetration
Fighting wid a uhm
Just a meditation
Ripe yeah Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Babylon ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Oh gosh
Babylon want bruk out the teeth
Of the lion yeah yeah
Babylon know say that the word carry
Iron yeah yeah
Babylon know Rome is religious
corruption yeah
So Babylon don’t instruct I
I instruct Babylon
We all a lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
We only fighting wid smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe yeah
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Oh gosh
So long man tell them
Sen see meal ya is healing yeah yeah
So long man a tell them all
about the meat eating yeah yeah
So long man tell them Rome is religious
corruption yeah yeah
Vatican don’t instruct I
I instruct the Vatican
We all a lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
Fighting wid a smooth
Meditation
We only coming wid a uhm
Spiritual penetration
Lickin’ wid a uhm
Meditation
Babylon ripe awhoa
Babylon you ready for a pickin’
Babylon
@christianwebb2555
Voughn Andre Benjamin Akae beka midnite best reggae artist ever jah rastafari
@christianwebb2555
Voughn Benjamin midnite akea beka the best reggae artist to ever grace our planet since Robert nester marley jah rastafari
@Indianempress1
Vaughn's voice is truly exceptional:)
@doc10paco
Jah Rastafariiiii !!! Love n' Respect ... Dezarie ...
@abdoulahiazizthiam6659
reggae is more powerful than any political system way.
@LayeDiaw
Abdoulahi aziz thiam
Nice
@GaryChavez-nu7uy
❤ thanks vb rip
@Sanmijil
this is the only attribute that lets you experience divine liberaion "MEDITATION"
@evelynmartinez2715
Midnite Forever 🖤
@herrylashku1523
Raggae music always is the people music and is newss.