Midnite
Encyclopedia
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 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
.
during the mid-90s. The album was named so, because it was reportedly recorded live in one room with only two microphones. Its clarity and full sound are thus remarkable. Later, they returned home to St. Croix in the late '90s to play with local musicians and record at their music studio, African Roots Lab.
Midnite frequently collaborates with new artists and has played as the back-up band on a number of African 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
.
Roots reggae
Roots reggae is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of the artists concerned, including the spiritual side of Rastafari and with the honoring of God, called Jah by rastafarians. It also is identified with the life of the ghetto sufferer, and the rural poor...
band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.
The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. 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
Rastafari movement
The Rastafari movement or Rasta is a new religious movement that arose in the 1930s in Jamaica, which at the time was a country with a predominantly Christian culture where 98% of the people were the black descendants of slaves. Its adherents worship Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia , as God...
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
Jah
Jah is the shortened form of the divine name YHWH , an anglicized version of the Tetragrammaton . The name is most commonly associated with the Rastafari movement or within the word hallelujah, although Christian groups may use the name to varying degrees. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses use a...
.
History
The band was started by Benjamin brothers Vaughn (vocals) and Ron (keyboard, but later switched to bass), and has been playing since 1989. They recorded Ras Mek Peace (Before Reverb and Without Delay) while living in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
during the mid-90s. The album was named so, because it was reportedly recorded live in one room with only two microphones. Its clarity and full sound are thus remarkable. Later, they returned home to St. Croix in the late '90s to play with local musicians and record at their music studio, African Roots Lab.
Midnite frequently collaborates with new artists and has played as the back-up band on a number of African Roots Lab artists' releases, such as Dezarie
Dezarie
Dezarie is a female roots reggae singer born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.She received Atlanta's "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001 before returning to St. Croix.She works closely with Midnite. She currently has four albums available...
'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
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
.
Releases
- King's Bell Midnite (November 2011)
- Anthology Midnite (July 2011)
- The Way Midnite/Rastar (June 2011)
- Standing Ground Dub Midnite/ Fith Son (2011)
- Treasure Midnite/Rastar (2011)
- Momentum Midnite/Fifth Son (2010)
- What Makes A King? Midnite (2010)
- Ark A Law Midnite/Lion I (2010)
- Frontline Midnite/Various (2009)
- Kings Of Kush Midnite/Rastar Mix (2009)
- To Mene Midnite/Rastar (2009)
- Ina Now Midnite/Rastar (2009)
- Defender Of The Faith Midnite/Various (2009)
- New Name Midnite/Various (2009)
- Infinite Dub Lustre Kings (2008)
- For All with Youssoupha Sidibe (2008)
- Supplication To H.I.M. with Rastar (2008)
- Standing Ground with Lion Tribe (2008)
- Live 94117 (2008)
- KayaMagan with Desmond Williams (Released 2008 but recorded in 1999)
- Maschaana with Natural Vibes (2008)
- Bless Go Roun with Higher Bound Productions (2007)
- Infinite Quality with Lustre Kings (2007)
- Better World Rasta with Rastar 2007
- Rule the Time with I Grade (2007)
- Suns of Atom with Lion Tribe (2006)
- New1000 with Mystic Vision (2006)
- Thru & True with Ras L (2006)
- Current with Mystic Vision (2006)
- Jah Grid with I Grade (2006)
- Let Live with I Grade (2004)
- Ainshant Maps (2004)
- Full Cup with Ras L (2004)
- Scheme a Things (2004)
- Project III" with Branch I (2004)
- He is Jah with Branch I (2003)
- Geoman" with Branch I (2003)
- Vijan with I Grade (2003)
- Intense Pressure (2003)
- Cipheraw with Branch I (2003)
- Assini with I Grade (2002)
- Seek Knowledge Before Vengeance (2002)
- Jubilees of Zion (2002)
- Nemozian Rasta with DezarieDezarieDezarie is a female roots reggae singer born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.She received Atlanta's "Best New Female Reggae Artist" award in 2001 before returning to St. Croix.She works closely with Midnite. She currently has four albums available...
and I Grade (2001) - Ras Mek Peace (1999)
- Unpolished (1997)