The Magnificent Story of Midnite/Akae Beka

In 1989 brothers Vaughn & Ron Benjamin, formed a band in the U.S Virgin Islands that would over time become rated as one of the greatest roots reggae bands of all time.
#vaughnbenjamin #midnite #akaebeka #reggae

[@colbyor]

Vaughn died and the world immediately started falling apart. He was holding it together with pure righteous sounds. Word. Sound. Power.

[@rastafari8990]

Totally agree mi bredda,👊🏿🦁

[@imnotimpressed420]

It was already falling apart lol.. with or without him

[@rasanbassajoseph4608]

@@imnotimpressed420 Vaughn would have agreed. Polarity

[@rasartis6929]

Tru Dat Iyah

[@budunkafunk737]

I say his soul knew it needed to assimilate with the infinite and spread throughout all of us for us to even have a fighting chance✊🏽

[@andregabrielbadji1373]

Vaughn Benjamin can teach you science chemistry history geography philosophy in one song

[@hezronjudah6724]

Yessssss yes yes

[@lovegratitude9954]

Vaughn Benjamin is the Greatest Lyricist Of All Time with one of the Greatest Voices Ever his adlibs alone are better than most artist whole albums.💚💛❤️Give Thanks Vaughn.

[@edwardras1697]

The teacher with important teaching.

[@kinggideono.b.k.a.o.i861]

Yea, (MON) SO "TRU"...Khek (I n I) komment pon same...(ZEEN)...

[@clg365]

My favorite band, we named our farm in honor of them. Vaughn is missed so dearly

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Wow 😲 Midnite Farms 😎

[@SunnySTX]

Dub in the rainforest...I will never forget. STX One Love.

[@chiccojoel8769]

Midnite,one second between yesterday and tomorrow.....

[@edwinward6548]

That’s right!!!!!

[@lesterstanislas5590]

Hail up from St.Croix Fredricksted freedoom City i knew him from childhood he will truly be missed

[@soujaar8346]

Greeting from Côte d’ivoire in Africa. Midnite come here and i miss the live! You cant imagine how im sad till this day... Vaughan was the reggae kabba Stone of oui time.

[@positive___soul]

I will never forget the first time I saw Midnite live in concert. 💚💛❤️ Amazing show. Change my life. Vaughn even shook my hand 🥰

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Wow must have been a blast

[@tanw.5149]

❤️ my goodness ❤️

[@edwinward6548]

Yeah!!, same here!!!! Bob Marley festival!!!! San Diego CA!!!!!

[@OrganicAlumination]

Wow that's amazing!!!! That's awesome

[@edwinward6548]

@@OrganicAlumination right on beautiful queen!!!. It was a great time!!! ….. my name is Sonny! . Thank you for your words.

[@fredericocr1]

Midite was pure fire on stage. Vaugh Benjamin is one of the best lyricists of all music genre, not only roots reggae

[@edword3457]

Truly original and unique, Midnite songs will never be able to be "covered" by any band because Vaughn was divine inspiration itself. One Love. Word, Sound and Power.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yes I ✌️

[@antoniomichelepippia1966]

The Greatest Roots Reggae Band ever

[@fredericocr1]

In my hometown, akae beka is loved like very few artists

[@fredericocr1]

Love the life you live 😀 simply genious

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yes mon. Amazing song

[@ILEK-lc5rd]

He Is The Greatest Raggae Artist To Ever Walk This Planet.......Hands Down❤

[@1iriewife]

YES I, REGGAE APPRECIATION SOCIETY!! GIVE THANKS AND APPRECIATION FOR UPLOADING AND FEEDING JAH FLOCK 💝!!! LOVE AND PROTECTION!!! JAH RASTAFARI!!!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings 🙌

[@reneerenee5073]

He blessed us san diegans over and over again. Thank you mama Makeda for bringing him to the world beat center.. so many conversations with him and the band after his shows. Life changing…

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

🙌

[@edwinward6548]

YES!!!!!! I !!!!! , I seen them there also!!!!! They started around midnite too as well!!!!!

[@thetaproductions864]

The Spirit Of Prophet Poet Vaughn Benjamin will last I ternal ! Look forward to future documentaries on this Powerful Teacher, Messenger Of Jah !!🖤

[@amossishuba3088]

We as 🇿🇦 some of us were so unfortunate not to see or watch this band around my time Winston Rodney and Joseph Hills that came around we dont have even radio and tv programme for reggae but am so fortunate to follow this music way back early nineties and I was fortunate to come across Midnite i can remember the song that i ever heard was BLACK CONGO with that element of hip hop so i can say a lot but me Vaungh Benjamin was a god look he was a prophet that came to teach and leave us with wealth of information and knowledge for every race WORD SOUND AND POWER WADADA RASTSFARAI

[@jahkgdm]

“JAH mek the day, Selassie” His songs pop up in my head constantly. Super conscious lyrics and inity. Jah blessings!!

[@paulspaltman2340]

Great tribute to a true legend. Inspiring both lyrically and musically for many people across the globe. He lives on for sure.

[@trinitybrian2807]

Such a powerful experience at their shows. Vaughns words and voice, his melody and rhythm were beyond. Rons smile and bass and movements were epic. The way this band could jam with reggae was 2nd to none. I lost myself so many times, it was incredible.

[@lusimyer]

Midnite...most amazing sound live. I am so lucky to have gotten to see them live before,sadly, we lost Vaughn. Vaughn will always be sorely missed. I still cant believe he is gone, and we won't get to see him perform anymore. 😢❤🕊

[@CostyBaba-Aka-Sulayman]

Love from Gambia, Africa. Gone soon. Rest in heaven Idren.

[@johanserre2301]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤💛💚 & Will be never forgotten for what hé showed us ! MOre Luv

[@thechief8694]

Their music is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yes I ✌️ pure 🔥

[@SmGG]

Y'all music change me into a better bein🎼✨✨✨⭐ best positive brothers🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@allanblackwood3745]

This is ras allanite inspired by the rebel midnite from 2005 I had to watch comment and share big up Jamaica 🇯🇲 deh ya a hold it together

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon thanks for watching ✌️

[@danielrosow8772]

All 1 and 1s need is His I Majesty speeches and the Benjamin brothers music full Inspiration for Life 🖤🇪🇹

[@Mannyroots7]

Vaugh and his brother mystical no band have that frequency they held ! Bless😊

[@jasbrook]

Got to see him finally, one year before he passed. Truly grateful!! My absolute fave ever since they came out 👆❤️💛💚

[@SandDabs]

I remember seeing Midnight at a little club in Oakland, Ca. They started at about 11 and played until the next morning's rush hour. The entire club smelled like hash and Vaughn was spitting fire all night long. Maybe the heaviest show I've ever seen. In my opinion Unpolished was the best album since Strength Of My Life. When it dropped it blew all of our minds.

[@sechabadiphoko6465]

He is lyrical killer of 21st century ... generations to come will learn n be inspired from his music I say .

[@kenyaayele8952]

Earth need a healing and a cleansing! He said what's needed. Simple as that

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yes I

[@mselassie6648]

An excellent tribute. Some might not Love what I a guh seh but Vaughan Benjamin IS the greatest reggae lyricist, EVER. In fact, one of the greatest in any genre of music. In the future his lyrics will be studied in universities, gwaan guh get a degree PHD in his lyrical dexterity and capability. Memba I told u. Bliss. R.A.S. (Reggae Appreciation Society) keep up the great works

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

🙌

[@SwitchstanceRec]

Thanks a lot for this background story about the Midnite and Akae Beka band. I was totally stoked when first time touring through East Africa that everywhere i went and met orignal Rasta people that they all were listening to Midnite. Vaughn Benjamin was like the MF Doom or Black Thought of Reggae. Lyrics after lyrics after lyrics...

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Fascinating!

[@SwitchstanceRec]

@@ReggaeAppreciationSociety absolutely. will never forget going to the first soundcheck of the Bayimba Festival in Uganda when they did it for the first time on an island in Lake Victoria and the music they did the soundcheck with was Midnite. Felt so proud for the band.

[@KingDavidPraiseYHWH]

@@SwitchstanceRec That's crazy bro. I just went to Uganda for my first time and all I kept wondering was did these people know Midnite and if the band ever played there. It's great to know he was in Uganda. I'm out here in Los Angeles knocking Midnite every chance I get. From Compton to Beverly Hills.

[@DanielScruggs-i3s]

What an extraordinary documentary here. Wow. So well done and deep

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

@@DanielScruggs-i3s Thanks a lot ✌️ Glad you enjoyed it

[@JFlamesTV]

I love the work sir 🙏🙏🙏 can you document Dezarie next please .

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Soon come👍

[@rasmarx9505]

Highly influential words,power,and sound for decades in the past and yet to come. Blessings to the whole I-Grade movement.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

🙌

[@rasdannyfallon4230]

we miss You, Vaughn... Your wisdom is crucially needed still!

[@xatoriusxVSExbhuttoriusx]

LIKE BOB SAID...'MUSIC IS A MISSION, NOT A COMPETITION'...SO I.N.I GIVE THANX FI ALL DI BLESSINGS JAH PUT PON US THRU THE WONDERFUL ARTISTS SENT TO SHINE DI LIGHT PON US N SPREAD DI MESSAGE OF LOVE PEACE N INITY TO DI WORLD. I.N.I GIVE THANX N PRAISES, NUFF BLESSED! 🇲🇱☘️💥💯💥☘️🇲🇱

[@KB.Emmanuel]

The purest highest form of consciousness

[@zurimoore2545]

His music and spiritual message and beliefs were amazing GOD REST HIS SPIRIT BENJAMIN AKAE BEKA

[@Dubme2poss]

This man's music is amazing, true sound, true words, Midnight has passed away and it's my opinion it's just another loss to the reggea community and scene. I wish I had seen his show sadly I never did. He's deep in mind, lyrics, and words. I love his sound and vibe. Truth

[@tekazzdon888lm5]

Triple8 from the UK 🇬🇧 African Origin 💚💛❤ I was Blessed and Feel Honoured to have been able to see Vaughan Benjamin Live in London Brixton! Beautiful Vibration! His Lyrics Will Continue From Generation to Generation. He is a Prophet 🌌👑🌍

[@6873ZimbaTenzen]

Ron and Vaughn Benjamin 🇦🇬🇦🇬🔥🔥🔥

[@lion6036]

Akae Beka is the way.

[@wekpomsbenin6830]

Inspired individual....his source was so deep and enlightening. Rest on prophet.

[@jorgemachado9413]

Una banda inigualable,un mensaje musical y lírico que se transforma en alimento para el alma ... y nos llegaron cantando y nos calaron hondo cambiaron frente y fondo y nada volvió como era ni a dentro ni afuera ❤️💛💚 gracias siempre

[@okiorowojames2641]

V. Benjamin is a superhuman.

[@abrahammbanitaabu8666]

Chru

[@AlmightyDOE777]

One of the Dopest lyricists & one of the Dopest bands ever🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 APTTMH ✨🙏🏾✨

[@jramsingh3895]

That cleasnsing is upon us NYA! YOUR WORDS KEEP I GOING ! HAIL I RASTA..🙏🏾👊🏾✊🏾

[@juanrivera2841]

THANK YOU BRETHREN FOR THE RESEARCH ON REGGAE MUSIC I ENJOY YOUR CHANNEL... VIRGIN ISLANDS PEACE ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings ✌️

[@tristarhi-power6612]

They Are & Will Always Be Considered One Of The Greatest REGGAE Bands Ever Existed I Attended A Lot Of Their Shows & Have Most Of Their Vast Catalog Of Music 🎼 My Collection NUFF RESPECT To Reggae Appreciation Society For Putting This Video Documentary Together We'll Done ✅ From Louie Judah TRI STAR ✨ HI-POWER LA CA Give Thxs 🌟

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Big up mon ✌️ Thanks for watching

[@midnight-raver]

Truly an amazing summary of this gifted artist's life and accomplishments. Also check my report on Midnite which documents their breakthrough in the US and the recording of their first three seminal albums, each a musical masterpiece...

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon ✌️ Thanks for watching. I truly appreciate your compliment. Will look for your report

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Just read your article. Fantastic piece there Rasta 🔥

[@kufunyaIfe]

The piece on MIDNITE was Great though there were missing information . I feel there will be other features to fill in the Missing Parts However it’s Good Start . One Love Former Manager and promoter of MIDNITE From 1999 to 2007

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Big up Queen Kufunya. My apologies 🙏Will do a second one

[@kufunyaIfe]

@@ReggaeAppreciationSociety Yes It is most important that the fullness must be stated I am happi that you acknowledge this

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

​@@kufunyaIfeBlessings Queen Kufunya Ife. I would love to find out more about Midnite and fill in the gaps I overlooked in this video. Is there a way I can send you a DM? I am on X (Twitter) and Instagram. But if you aren't on any of these please let me know any other platform you're currently on so I can message you there. ❤💛💚

[@88HCL2000]

Beautiful video, thank you! I was blessed to have shared the stage with Midnite in 2013. Jah rastafari!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Big up mon ✌️

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

Highly impressive band i just discovered a year or 2 ago. Love and Respect them...But Bob, Bunny and Peter's legacy will always be cemented in history as pacemakers

[@iontwos]

Thank you for covering midnite !!!!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

My pleasure mon. Midnite fans like yourself and @lawrencenjawe9875 asked for it. Glad to deliver ✌️

[@danielpuntocom]

Give thanks for Midnite. Great video man bless and love 🙏

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon ✌️

[@stayup3942]

HAIL TO AH TRUE KING.🤴🏾 🤜🏿🔥🤛🏾✌🏽☝🏾🫶🏾🙏🏾

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yes I ✌️

[@garveystmarie9617]

Keep up the positive and uplifting works.💣💣💥💥💫💫

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Thank you, I will

[@sojournertruth9332]

why do we not get to see our liberators and creative artists live into their nineties - in contrast to the oppressor who die in old old old age.

[@robertmathurin739]

Blessed Love Rastafari,, Rise in Power Akae Beka,,🇱🇨👊🏽🇯🇲👍🏽❤️🔥🔥🔥☝🏽

[@ramakariz9376]

Bayete Bayete Bayete Mkhulu Akae Beka for the Legacy and Poetry u left us with. To us your more Alive Spiritually Lyrically. Ase Ase Ase.

[@UriahNyah6]

Love Honor Power and Light. Always Ascending-Life Everlasting Blessings To Everyone! Love Vaughn, Ronnie Bless up.....

[@stopthattrain14]

I feel blessed that I got to see midnite and akae Becka so many times that I lost count , one the greatest reggae bands of all time!!!!

[@reclaimingminds2811]

À truly amazing talent, thank you Vaughn Benjamin ❤

[@nattybongo1039]

always i ll raspect Vaughan Benjamin for the good work he as done,the world of sound and power of music rocks movement Vaughan he was deeper on

[@afeni1018]

He still alive. His spirit blowing everywhere 👑🖤💥

[@moseskhoza-rf3rs]

True work brother

[@nixonkwanzaatimothy286]

May you live on forever Akae Vaughn in paradise now. The IMPERIAL called you home works well done! My friend Maakheru?🙏🏾🔥🙏🏾

[@MrWeusi]

Been waiting for you to do this one , amazing band! been riding with them since early 2 thousands!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

✌️

[@JoseCalderon04]

I agree... this is the best reggae band ever

[@loganlavalleymusic]

Midnite/Akae Beka is Enternal. They are Forever.

[@NishkamTheGeneral]

Well done, King. This is lovely!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon ✌️

[@Reboks87]

Best musician ever. Teacher and prophet

[@lennyadams9459]

Phenomenal video Idren! Vaughn is A true Prophet and teacher. He is also the greatest singer and song writer the world has ever known, in my humble opinion.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon ✌️

[@kufunyaIfe]

I might add that Key people who played a Role were left out of the Story

[@tanw.5149]

When I stumbled upon a song, I know it wasn't coincidence. It was meant for me to get deeper and sound in my identity.. then soon my father, also Rasta, and I reconnected as he's released from Feds. The love he and I share through our love of reggae music, our similarities just makes my soul happier I have my dad back! Jubilees of Zion moment forever ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@trailnscaleRC]

Thank you for this awesome tribute. Blessed love

[@neptuneatlantic4883]

Amen!!!! I miss that dread !! 😢

[@EduardoMartinez-jt9kp]

Desde pamana gracias

[@zurimoore2545]

Love the life you live was my favorite one on the tracks

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Great choice there. Fantastic song

[@johnnylittle228]

I seen Midnite with Dezarie like 20 years ago in Tempe AZ. Show was so good. Thank you

[@TheBadmanCrab]

Give nuff thanks for enlightening people about this P Prophet. Vaughn was, and is, a spiritual guide, a poet and a great musician. Selassie-I!

[@guitarjamie1]

Great video here, I learned a lot about this mysterious band. Strangely I was living in the DC area when they were getting started , but never heard of them or saw them. They were still VERY underground and never opened any of the many 930 Club reggae shows (Jah Works was the proverbial opener then) or many other DC venues having reggae and I went to a lot of reggae shows in DC. At least 2 of times I left town to see them they were staying in the same hotel as me and once just a few doors down the hall from me, but we didn't hang out. One of my purposes in life was to document Midnite's live shows and share it with the world via youtube.

[@gebreselassie2228]

I remember looking at the Mist in the air early in the morning on my way to work in Los Angeles. Then I understood the Mystery of Vaughn earthly felt in atmospheric response

[@nattybongo1039]

if you don't know Vaughan Benjamin his music one's you find his music and play and listen carefully you ll never ever stop playing Vaughan Benjamin his message

[@jabulanimunthali8943]

Ises iver so much , fi di video , PROPHET VAUGHN BENJAMIN AKE BEKA , Yadd on Inna ZION still .

[@yogawithteniyah]

Give thanks immensely. Blessed love❤️🔥🔥🔥

[@nakkydread5725]

Des textes et des paroles les plus purs du monde !! ☀️🌏🌙✊🏾🇳🇨

[@jahlanclaps21]

Good artis rip

[@mishkafrith3665]

Thank you for such a wonderful informative documentary. Jah bless. Midnite Akae Beka for Iver.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon ✌️ Thanks for watching

[@riosolid7737]

Rastafari ! And may peace be upon the bredren and master teacher Akae Beka AKA Vaughn Benjamin

[@joshjackson3734]

The greatest

[@donovanphillips4973]

Give thanks 💥💥

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

✌️🙌

[@peterbrowne7915]

Greatest

[@RH421939]

Midnite is awesome it’s to bad some of their best stuff isn’t available on Apple Music

[@howardjboone7065]

Thank U for this insight.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching ✌️

[@sulaspirit]

Well done. This is great

[@jahmarkx6307]

Great tribute

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

✌️