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."
Right Here
Midnite Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aiiiiiii
Ohhhh
I thank the lord for Life
Right here, Oh yeah
I thank the lord for Life
In a garments offering
In a drink of offering
In a praise offering
Right here, Right now
I acknowledge, the lord of Life, of light
Of one filament that's undivide
Right here, Right now
I thank Jah the lord for Life
Haile Selassie, by his namesake
And for his namesake
Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake
Who speak not out of vain, puffed up ambition and falsevanity
Right here, Right here
Oh yeah, I thank Jah the lord for Life
Right now, I offer thanks for rights
It has been photon
Electron deltron activation
Searching the depths of the mind
For the negative function to split the atom, yeah
This is the new psycho perversion inversion, yeah, ohh
Right now, yeah Right here, Right here, yeah
I thank the lord for Life, ohhh
A singularity of light
Right here
It is the core of an archetype
Right here, Right now
Ohh yeahh aiii
It was a code, a binary code, yeah
The triune God
Haile Selassie might of the holy Trinity
He who forsee and forspeak, yes
It was a binary code to exclude the Trinity
Right here Right now
I acknowledge the lord of Life
I-theopia root, from the ancient without divide
The splitted tune in for
Of the blue and white???????
Right here Right now
Calling out to all Zion child
Right here Right now
Right hearrree, Right now
Acknowledge the law of light
yeahhh
It was the rain from a smoke offering
That carried the drops to the wind on your skin
Blessings flow out from within
Right here, Right now
I thank Jah the lord for Life
Right now, a singularity of light
Right now, Right here
It is the?? inversion of
Of your upside down glasses experimentation, yeah
Right here Right now
I thank Jah for Life
Right now,
My mouth shall continually utter praises unto Jah, yeah
He is the strength of right
The strength of Life, yeahhh
Ancients don't know mankind's ego
I thank Jah the lord for Life
Oh yes
Right here
The song "Right Here" by Midnite is a spiritual ode of gratitude and acknowledgment of the divine being present in every moment of life. The song starts with various offerings made to the Lord, including garments, drink, food, and praise. The artist acknowledges the Lord of Life and Light, the one filament that remains indivisible, and expresses gratitude towards Jah, the Lord of Life, and Haile Selassie.
The lyrics continue with the artist mentioning the divine presence in the depths of the mind and the negative function to split the atom, followed by a reference to the blue and white of the I-theopia root. The song further acknowledges the ancient wisdom of ancestors, and the strength of the divine in life. The song concludes with the artist continually uttering praises to Jah and being thankful to Him for His blessings.
Line by Line Meaning
Aaahhhh
Expression of a deep, genuine feeling
Aiiiiiii
Expression of a deep, genuine feeling
Ohhhh
Expression of a deep, genuine feeling
I thank the lord for Life
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
Right here, Oh yeah
The gift of life is present and appreciated in this moment
I thank the lord for Life
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
In a garments offering
A bodily expression of reverence and respect
In a drink of offering
A libation as a form of honor and tribute
In a food offering
A meal as an expression of gratitude and appreciation
In a praise offering
A verbal or musical acknowledgement of the divine
Right here, Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
I acknowledge, the lord of Life, of light
Recognition of the divine as the source of life and illumination
Of one filament that's undivide
The divine is a singular, indivisible entity
Right here, Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
I thank Jah the lord for Life
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
Haile Selassie, by his namesake
Referring to Haile Selassie, whose name means 'power of the trinity'
And for his namesake
Acknowledging the power of the divine trinity
Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake
Expression of compassion and empathy for those who suffer for their beliefs
Who speak not out of vain, puffed up ambition and falsevanity
Admonishment against insincere speech motivated by ego
Right here, Right here
The present moment is significant and meaningful
Oh yeah, I thank Jah the lord for Life
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
Right now, I offer thanks for rights
Gratitude for the gift of human rights and freedoms
It has been photon
Alluding to the phenomenon of light
Electron deltron activation
Reference to atomic and subatomic particles
Searching the depths of the mind
Exploring the mysteries of consciousness
For the negative function to split the atom, yeah
Musing on the power and potential dangers of nuclear energy
This is the new psycho perversion inversion, yeah, ohh
Acknowledging the complexities and ambiguities of modern society
Right now, yeah Right here, Right here, yeah
The present moment is significant and meaningful
I thank the lord for Life, ohhh
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
A singularity of light
Reference to the divine as a unified source of illumination
Right here
The present moment is significant and meaningful
It is the core of an archetype
Alluding to the essence or fundamental quality of the divine
Right here, Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
Ohh yeahh aiii
Expression of a deep, genuine feeling
It was a code, a binary code, yeah
Alluding to the idea of divine communication through symbolic language
The triune God
Reference to the divine triad of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Haile Selassie might of the holy Trinity
Reference to Haile Selassie as a manifestation of the divine
He who forsee and forspeak, yes
Characterizing the divine as all-knowing and capable of prophetic speech
It was a binary code to exclude the Trinity
Alluding to the idea of heretical or false teachings that deviate from mainstream Christian beliefs
Right here Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
I acknowledge the lord of Life
Recognition of the divine as the source of life and vitality
I-theopia root, from the ancient without divide
Referring to Ethiopia as the mythical birthplace of humanity
The splitted tune in for
Alluding to the harmony and rhythm of the universe
Of the blue and white???????
Unclear meaning or reference
Right here Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
Calling out to all Zion child
Addressing the audience as believers and followers of Rastafarianism
Right here Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
Right hearrree, Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
Acknowledge the law of light
Recognition of the divine as the source of illumination and wisdom
yeahhh
Expression of affirmation
It was the rain from a smoke offering
Alluding to the use of smoke as a form of sacrifice or offering in religious ceremonies
That carried the drops to the wind on your skin
Describing the sensation of holy water or oil being sprinkled on the skin as part of a religious ritual
Blessings flow out from within
Acknowledging the spiritual and emotional benefits of religious observance
Right here, Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
I thank Jah the lord for Life
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
Right now, a singularity of light
Reference to the divine as a unified source of illumination
Right now, Right here
The present moment is significant and meaningful
It is the?? inversion of
Unclear meaning or reference
Of your upside down glasses experimentation, yeah
Alluding to the idea of seeing the world from a different perspective
Right here Right now
The present moment is significant and meaningful
I thank Jah for Life
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
Right now,
The present moment is significant and meaningful
My mouth shall continually utter praises unto Jah, yeah
Commitment to ongoing spiritual observance
He is the strength of right
Affirmation of the divine as the source of moral righteousness
The strength of Life, yeahhh
Affirmation of the divine as the source of vitality and energy
Ancients don't know mankind's ego
Acknowledgement of the complexities and mysteries of human consciousness
I thank Jah the lord for Life
Grateful acknowledgement of the gift of life
Oh yes
Expression of affirmation
Right here
The present moment is significant and meaningful
Contributed by Hailey Y. 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