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."
Pagan Pay Gone
Midnite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Jah now
Living in a system – Pagan
Everytime you get pay – pay gone
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
All of them objections to right – agreed
Look high Jah King aye
Look high Jah King aye
Either you slave now I a
Or you will not be provider
Look high Jah King aye
Look high Jah King aye
Now thief is a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Living in a system – Pagan
Everytime you get pay – pay gone
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
What them call them jail guard – sentry
2000 is the end of – century
Look high Jah King aye
Look high Jah King aye
Israel son of Ithipian said – Amos
Chapter 9 and verse 7 is – a must
Look high Jah King aye
Look high Jah King aye
Now thief is a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Living in a system – Pagan
Everytime you get pay – pay gone
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Everything they do now – stranger
Youth a look for mother – stranger
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Now thief is a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Living in a system – Pagan
Everytime you get pay – pay gone
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Every Sunday come them gone – altar
Preacher know the truth is what they – alter
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Now thief is a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Every little thing they – dissect
Eat bad food and you must die – die sick
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Now thief is a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Living in a system – Pagan
Everytime you get pay – pay gone
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Everytime they build a separate – chapter
The body fragment and divide – conquer
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Now thief is a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Living in a system – Pagan
Everytime you get pay – pay gone
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Now thief is a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Look high Jah King, hey
Oh God I man a say
I man a say thief a murderer
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Imposter is a murderer
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
Midnite's song Pagan Pay Gone is a commentary on the societal struggles that people face living in a capitalist system. The lyrics decry the greed of those in power who uphold a system that ensures the exploitation of the masses, where every time they get paid, the money disappears. Midnite addresses the corrupt who misuse their power to stifle the right of the people and deprive them of their rightful earnings. He calls on Jah, the Rastafarian God, to show the people the path to liberation.
Midnite also speaks about the systemic oppression of those who do not conform to the standards set by those in power. He equates modern-day slavery with the inability to be a provider, suggesting that those who fail to offer economically cannot be regarded as valued citizens in such a society. Furthermore, the replacement of Rastafarians with individuals who do not embrace their culture is viewed as an example of this oppression. In the second verse, Midnite refers to Israel's son's words that imply that no one can hide from divine justice.
Overall, the song speaks to the fight for fairness and the power play between those in authority and the common man.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh
Addressing Jah, Selassie I with respect and reverence.
Living in a system - Pagan
Life exists in a system controlled by those who disregard spiritual beliefs, those who do not practice the faith of Rastafarianism.
Everytime you get pay - pay gone
Whenever compensation is given, it quickly disappears without any reasonable explanation.
Look high Jah King, hey
Looking for guidance, assistance, and support from the Divine.
Everything them do now - a greed
Their actions are driven by excessive desire and craving for material wealth.
All of them objections to right - agreed
Obediently following laws and decisions that prevent and obstruct progress and justice.
Either you slave now I a
One is either forced to be a slave or unable to provide for themselves.
Or you will not be provider
Failing to keep up with the requirements of the system means the inability to provide for oneself and loved ones.
Now thief is a murderer
Stealing is a form of violence that can lead to dire consequences.
Guilty put a lie sense pan his trigger finger
Lies and deception lead people to commit crimes and be responsible for harm caused by their actions.
Imposter is a murderer
People who pretend to be something or someone else are responsible for causing harm.
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
People who do not practice Rastafarianism, but adopt Rastafarian symbols and styles, are not genuine and are trying to replace the true Rasta culture.
What them call them jail guard - sentry
The guards in prison are referred to as sentries by authorities.
2000 is the end of - century
The year 2000 marks the end of a century.
Israel son of Ithipian said - Amos Chapter 9 and verse 7 is - a must
Quoting the Book of Amos, Israel, son of Ithipian emphasizes the importance of following divine laws and rules.
Everything they do now - stranger
The actions of those in power are increasingly strange or unusual.
Youth a look for mother - stranger
Young people are searching for someone to guide and nurture them in a world that seems unfamiliar and confusing.
Every Sunday come them gone - altar
People attend church, but often disregard the true message of the faith and alter its meaning.
Preacher know the truth is what they - alter
The religious leaders who preach know the message of the faith is being twisted to serve the needs of those in power.
Every little thing they - dissect
The authorities scrutinize every detail of people's lives to maintain control and power.
Eat bad food and you must die - die sick
Consuming unhealthy food can lead to sickness and death.
Everytime they build a separate - chapter
Every time the authorities create new rules or laws, they create division and fragmentation of society.
The body fragment and divide - conquer
By fragmenting society, those in power are able to maintain control and conquer the people.
Oh God I man a say
Expressing intense emotion and calling out to God.
I man a say thief a murderer
Stealing is more than just a crime, it is a form of violence that destroys lives.
Bald head with dread locks come replace Rasta
The authentic elements of the Rastafarian culture are being slowly replaced with counterfeit versions.
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@fernandojaviersalarditenni3861
Everytime I get paid, pay gone!!! But happiness never gone, thanks Midnite for such majestic music!! RIP Master!! Your music will be eternal!!!
@AnaCarlaSiqueira93
É fogo na babilônia.. não me canso de ouvir..
@beckenbauerernstberger5599
Fogo na bomba... traz a seda! Rs
@angelomarcos399
Fogoooooooooo
@marcoscartana2738
... um dos melhores sons do estilo. Finesse, como tudo do grande Midnite. 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
@chichorf10
man this is so real, hasta my abuelita le gusto esta cancion, bless Midnite one of the greatest Jah musicians right now, y PAZ para todos los que saben de la buena musica, PURA VIDA, saludos desde centroamerica!!
@franklinroosevelt2318
Esses caras do midnite sao diferenciados, pqp que pedra manos.
@gilvangoncalo1397
demais gostaria de poder tocar junto com eles parabensss
@keusti
My fav' tune of Midnite , great band, the voice is electrizing ...... Spreading Jah love !!! that's all we need in these time .... peace
@amandaknopp9032
Me too