Photo: Akae Beka Music
The great Reggae singer-songwriter Vaughn “Akae Beka” Benjamin would’ve been 52 this August 13.
Greeting Sisters and Brothers, and all readers and viewers of the Black Star News, to another installment of Black Star News’ “From The Art Archive.”
From The Art Archive features music, poetry, and any artistic expression created by artists of African descent. Because of the strong Pan-African leanings of the Black Star News, we showcase artists who exhibit that sensibility–many of whom will not be household names in the Hollywood and MTV mold.
Today, the Black Star News remembers the musical messenger and prolific lyricist Vaughn “Akae Beka” Benjamin who transitioned to the ancestors on November 4, 2019, at the age of 50, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Benjamin, along with his brother Ron, co-founded the masterful music group Midnite in 1989, in St. Croix, U.S.V.I., before he evolved and embarked on another musical mission with the band named after him: Akae Beka, in 2015. Vaughn “Akae Beka” Benjamin has now gone down in music history as one of the most philosophically profound artists of all time. He left behind an incredible music legacy with some 72 albums.
Today, on his birthday (he was born August 13th, 1969, in Antigua) we remember this one of a kind unique artist who moved and inspired many with this selection from a 2014 concert in France. The selection is from the concert’s opening with Benjamin singing the song “Love Right, Live Right” from the 1999 “Ras Mek Peace” album. Featured prominently is Akae Beka’s brother Ron Benjamin Jr. playing bass.
The video is but one example in many of the power of this one-in-a-lifetime artist: Vaughn “Akae Beka” Benjamin.