Vaughn Benjamin, a prolific singer/songwriter who was instrumental in putting reggae from the US Virgin Islands on the map, died in Port St. Lucie, Florida on November 4.
No cause of death was given but Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred, his close friend, said he had several health challenges in recent years. Benjamin was 50 years old.
Born in Antigua, Benjamin was best known as co-founder, lead singer and chief songwriter for Midnite, a roots-reggae band from St. Croix. He and his older brother Ron started the band in 1989 and recorded a number of albums.
Midnite’s relentless touring won them thousands of fans, especially on the United States West Coast and in the college market. Alfred is also from St. Croix where he operates I Grade Records which released a number of Midnite and Vaughn Benjamin albums.
Though they knew each other for over 20 years, he said he was amazed at Benjamin’s songwriting ability and his boundless energy when it came to recording.
“He wasn’t into clichés, he wanted to change minds. Vaughn always said he wasn’t an entertainer or artist…that implied he was a part-timer,” Alfred stated.
In 2015, Benjamin disbanded Midnite and re-focused it as Akae Beka. Mek A Menshun, their last album, was released in July by I Grade Records.
Because he was strongly influenced by Jamaican artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and The Abyssinians, Benjamin sought to collaborate with acts from that country. He recorded songs with Jah9, Protoje and Lutan Fyah.
Benjamin and Midnite’s stature inspired a reggae movement in the USVI that produced artists like Pressure Buss Pipe and Dezarie.
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