Akae Beka

Akae Beka
Akae Beka live in Tilburg, May 11, 2017.
Background information
OriginSaint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
GenresReggae roots
Years active2015–2019
Members
  • Vaughn Benjamin (vocals)
  • Edmund Fieulleteau (guitar)
  • Legrand Lee (Guitar)
  • Peter Willock (Drums & Percussion)
  • Ras L (Bass)
  • Suren Fenton (Keyboards)
Websitewww.akaebekamusic.com

Akae Beka is a roots reggae band who come from Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which was founded by members of the band Midnite following a change in their membership in 2015. In February of that year, the former band Midnite cancelled their 2015 tour and postponed dates "due to a life changing medical emergency, convictions, and revelations".[1]

The band's leader Vaughn Benjamin explained that the name Akae Beka are two words that come from the Book of Enoch,[2] cited in chapter 68, verse 20-24.[3]

Akae Beka's first performance took place in Denver, Colorado on July 17, 2015, in honor of Nelson Mandela Day.[4]

Benjamin died on November 4, 2019. in Port St Lucie, FL

He was buried the following weeks in his birthplace of Antigua. Laid to rest on November 25, 2019, following a private family funeral. No cause of death has ever been released by the family or any members. .[5]

On February 12, 2020, the Akae Beka band played its final tribute show at The Worldbeat cultural center in San Diego, Ca. Edmund Fieulleteau Performed vocals In Honor of Vaughn. It was also the same venue as the final show Performed with Vaughn 5 months prior on September 23, 2019.

In 2020 Protocols, a posthumous album, was released.

Many albums and collaborations still remain unreleased.

Discography

  • 2015 - Homage to The Land
  • 2016 - Portals, I Grade collaboration
  • 2016 - Loyalty (Single), Iaahden Sounds
  • 2016 - New Page (Single), Iaahden Sounds
  • 2016 - Livicated, Zion I Kings and I Grade Records
  • 2017 - Jahsaydo, Uhuru Boys Records
  • 2018 - Kings Dub, I Grade Records (DIGITAL RELEASE)
  • 2018 - Nurtured Frequency, Haze St. Studios
  • 2018 - Topaz, Ocean Records
  • 2019 - Hail The King, Higherbound
  • 2019 - Mek A Menshun
  • 2020 - Protocols - Iaahden Sounds
  • 2021 - Righteous Synergy, Fifth Son Records
  • 2021 - Polarities (I Grade)
  • 2022 - Riddims composed by Vaughn Benjamin Recorded Oct 2019 (Trinity Farms)

References

  1. ^ "The Akae Beka: Vaughn Benjamin (of Midnite) & full band". Envision Festival. January 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2016-01-28. http://www.envisionfestival.com/
  2. ^ Vaughn Benjamin (2015). Rockers Movement Innerview with Vaughn 'Akae Beka' Benjamin. Rockers Movement. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
  3. ^ "Ten Heavens of The Book Of Enoch: Akae Beka: Homage to the Land". Ras Elijah Tafari Lionart Productions (blog). November 2, 2015. Retrieved 2016-01-28. http://blog.raselijah.com/
  4. ^ "Midnite --> Akae Beka?". Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (blog). July 2015. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
  5. ^ staff, Source (2019-11-13). "St. Croix, Music World Saddened by Death of Vaughn Benjamin". St. Thomas Source. Retrieved 2020-05-04.