Akae Beka was born in 2015. At the time, the prolific reggae artist Vaughn Benjamin was trying to figure out what to do after his band Midnite—one of the biggest reggae groups to come out of the Virgin Islands in the ’90s—had dissolved.
His new project carries with it his highly spiritual, plain-spoken political and incredibly emotional take on ’70s-style roots reggae. He’s a true master, who keeps his vocals low-key but potent.
And he plays with purpose now. The first show he ever played as Akae Beka just happened to land on Nelson Mandela Day. Fitting.
INFO: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $25/adv, $30/door. moesalley.com.
WANT TO GO?
Go to santacruz.com/giveaways beefore 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8 to find out how you could win a pair of tickets to the show.
