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."
New Life
Midnite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
In my life, there is now so much more
New meaning, in this bundle of joy
This precious gift you've given me
Now my life is so fulfilling
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Such a great experience to see
The birth of a new born baby
This miracle of life I know
Has been placed in our hands
Destiny were fulfilling
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Now in your life I'll always be there
To love angel's blessings we will share
Through ups and downs and in betweens
I hold fast to your hands
Cause my life is so fulfilling
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
The song "New Life" by Midnite is a joyful celebration of the birth of a new baby. The lyrics express gratitude to Jah, the Rastafarian term for God, for the precious gift of new life. The singer exclaims, "Look what Jah Jah gave me, new life, a brand new little baby," and describes the newfound meaning and fulfillment that the child brings to their life.
The lyrics also reflect on the miracle of birth and the responsibility that comes with caring for a new life. The singer acknowledges that this gift has been placed in their hands, and that they are fulfilling their destiny in nurturing and loving the baby. The love and devotion they feel towards the child is evident in lines like "Now in your life I'll always be there, to love angel's blessings we will share."
Overall, "New Life" is a joyous and heartfelt tribute to the beauty and wonder of childbirth, and the gratitude that we feel towards the divine for the gift of new life.
Line by Line Meaning
Look what jah jah gave me
I am amazed at the wonderful gift you have given me
New life, a brand new little baby
I have been blessed with a new life in the form of a tiny, precious baby
In my life, there is now so much more
My life has taken on new and greater meaning since the birth of my child
New meaning, in this bundle of joy
This precious little bundle of joy has given me a new sense of purpose and fulfillment
This precious gift you've given me
I cherish the gift of new life that you have bestowed upon me
I'll hold close to my heart
I will always cherish and protect this precious gift with all my heart
Now my life is so fulfilling
My life has become so much more fulfilling and meaningful with the addition of this little one
Such a great experience to see
It is an incredible experience to witness the birth of a new life
The birth of a new born baby
The arrival of a newborn baby is a miraculous event
This miracle of life I know
I am fully aware of the wonder and miracle of new life
Has been placed in our hands
As parents, it is our responsibility to care for and nurture this precious new life
Destiny were fulfilling
Our purpose and destiny are being fulfilled as we care for and raise this new life
Now in your life I'll always be there
As a parent, I will always be there for my child, through thick and thin
To love angel's blessings we will share
Together, as a family, we will share the love and blessings of this precious little angel
Through ups and downs and in betweens
No matter what life brings, I will stand by my child and offer unwavering love and support
I hold fast to your hands
I will always be there to guide and support my child along the journey of life
Cause my life is so fulfilling
My life is enriched and fulfilled by the love and joy my child has brought into it
Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@EmpressDinah12
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
In my life, there is now so much more
New meaning, in this bundle of joy
This precious gift you’ve given me
I’ll hold close to my heart
Now my life is so fulfilling
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Such a great experience to see
The birth of a new born baby
This miracle of life I know
Has been placed in our hands
Destiny were fulfilling
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Now in your life I’ll always be there
To love angel’s blessings we will share
Through ups and downs and in betweens
I hold fast to your hands
Cause my life is so fulfilling
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
Look what jah jah gave me
New life, a brand new little baby
@andrewmartinez8216
I love this song jah jah gave me a new life...ive been sober and in recovery for 1yr n a half n jah jah been blessing me with the love like no other n building my relationship back with my kids ...i give thanks n praise to God the father cz he's giving me a new life
@amnvendetta5289
Stay strong bless YAHUAH GOD
@abentajohan1609
RIP Elder😭. Everytime i listen to this song i feel sad because my parents past away before i had my kids 💔
@latonyajb
Rest In Zion Akae Becka your music and voice will forever live ❤️💚💛🖤🕊🇻🇮🇪🇹✨
@latonyajb
Akae Beka
@SpiritChai
❤️ I believe Ronny his brother sings this song
@linhooliveira7078
@@SpiritChai Sim é o irmão dele
@808mauna
Rest in Paradise Vaughn! Thank you for everything... truly
@SpiritChai
Ron Benjamin sing this one Vaughn brother the man who made the music for midnite
@joederbo6151
@@SpiritChai It's the same man I...