Midnite

Midnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989. The band's music follows in tradition with the 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 feel. The lyrics are centrally focused on the plights of the oppressed Afrikans, 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 Rastafari.

About the Band

Lead singer Vaughn Benjamin's electrifying voice seems an amalgamation of many great voices in reggae-soulful, chanting, edgy. Vaughn's potent lyrical style and his brother Ron Benjamin's exquisite production, vocals, dub, arrangements, keyboard & bass musical arragements form the nucleus of this musical - rootsy heavy sound, which includes: Christian Molina (drums), Edmund Fieulleteau (guitar), Edwin Byron (guitar) and Ras L (keyboards).

Midnite weaves the cultural lyrics of "old school" roots music with modern day experiences to create a unique listening encounter. Roots Reggae - naked and raw is an apt description for Midnite's musical style, in which they forgo the frills of extensive remixes, overdubbing and other musical refinements.

"Unpolished" is the title of their debut album which includes such classics as "Don't Move", "Mama Africa", and "Love the Life You Live". Originally released in 1997, while the band was located in Washington, DC.

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.

Discography

• 1997 - Unpolished
• 1999 - Ras Mek Peace
• 2002 - Jubilees Of Zion
• 2002 - Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance
• 2003 - Intense Pressure (dub)
• 2004 - Scheme A Things
• 2004 - Ainshant Maps
• 2008 - Live 94117
• 2010 - What Makes A King ?
• 2011 - Anthology
• 2013 - Lion Out Of Zion

Midnite & I Grade collaboration

• 2001 - Nemozian Rasta
• 2002 - Assini
• 2003 - Vijan
• 2005 - Let Live
• 2006 - Jah Grid
• 2007 - Rule The Time
• 2011 - Kings Bell
• 2014 - Beauty For Ashes
• 2014 - Ride Tru

Midnite & Branch I collaboration

• 2003 - Cipheraw
• 2003 - Geoman
• 2003 - He Is Jah
• 2004 - Project III

Midnite & Mystic Vision collaboration

• 2006 - Current
• 2006 - New 1000

Midnite & Ras L collaboration

• 2004 - Full Cup
• 2006 - Thru & True

Midnite & Groundbreaking collaboration

• 2007 - Aneed

Midnite & Lion Tribe/Fifthson collaboration

• 2007 - Suns Of Atom
• 2008 - Standing Ground
• 2010 - Momentum
• 2011 - Standing Ground Dub
• 2012 - In Awe
• 2013 - Be Strong

Midnite & Desmond Williams collaboration

• 2008 - Kayamagan

Midnite & Rastar collaboration

• 2007 - Better World Rasta
• 2008 - Supplication To H.I.M.
• 2009 - To Mene
• 2009 - Ina Now
• 2011 - Treasure
• 2011 - The Way
• 2012 - Children Of Jah
• 2013 - Children Of Jah Dubs
• 2014 - Better World Rasta Live Dubs

Midnite & Higher Bound Prod collaboration

• 2007 - Bless Go Roun
• 2010 - Ark A Law (Lion I)
• 2013 - Free Indeed

Midnite & Iaahden Sounds collaboration

• 2014 - Stand The Test

Midnite & Lustre Kings collaboration

• 2007 - Infinite Quality
• 2008 - Infinite Dub

Midnite & Natural Vibes collaboration

• 2008 - Maschaana

Midnite & Youssoupha Sidibe collaboration

• 2008 - For All

Midnite & Various artists collaboration

• 2002 - Weep Not
• 2008 - New Name
• 2008 - Gather The Remnant
• 2009 - Defender Of The Faith
• 2009 - Kings Of Kush
• 2009 - Frontline Souljah

External links

• Official site
• Midnite Lyrics at vireggae.com
• Fan Site at midnite-culture.com