Nigeria global music export, Majek Fashek is reportedly dead. His death was
announced by Joy Tongo former artiste manager to Cynthia Morgan on her
Instagram handle @joytongo. She posted,”Legendary musician,Mr MajekFashek,my
uncle passed on today in New York City.Majek Fashek was a talented man from
Benin City,Edo State. RIP #MajekFashek”
Majekodunmi
Fasheke, popularly known as Majek Fashek (pronounced as Ma-je-ko-dun-mi
Ifa-kii-she-eke), is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and guitarist.[1][2] He is
best known in Nigeria for the 1988 album Prisoner of Conscience, which included
the multiple award-winning single “Send Down the Rain”. Also known as The
Rainmaker, he has worked with various artists worldwide, including Tracy
Chapman, Jimmy Cliff, Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, and Beyoncé.
Last year the internet was agog with strong rumor of his death,which was later
dispelled.
Majek
Folabee Shamsudeen
Birth name Majekodunmi Fasheke
Born February 1958
Benin Edo State, Nigeria
Genres Reggae, roots reggae, rock
Occupation(s) singer, songwriter, actor
Years active early 90s—present
Labels Interscope Records
Associated acts Jastix
Monicazation
Fashek
was born in Benin City to an Edo mother and a Ijesha father, but identifies
with his Benin roots. Various translations of his name Fasheke
(Ifa-kii-she-eke) include “high priest who does not lie”, “powers of miracles”
and “(system or medium of) divination does not lie”. After his parents
separated, Fashek remained in Benin City with his mother, and soon joined the
choir in his local Aladura church and learned to play the trumpet and guitar
whilst composing songs for the choir.
Musical career
Early 80’s: Jastix
In the early eighties Fashek, who at the time went by the stage name Rajesh
Kanal, joined the group Jastix with McRoy Gregg, and Drummer Black ‘Rice. They
were best known as the in-house band on the show Music Panorama on NTA Benin,
and toured with fellow reggae group The Mandators. Jastix were also session
musicians for upcoming reggae singer Edi Rasta, who would later be known as
Evi-Edna Ogholi.
Fashek was married to Rita Fashek who inspired the song “Without You”; the
couple had four children together, but have since divorced.] In 2015, it was
revealed that Fashek was bankrupt and battling drug addiction. After admitting
that he needed help, he was admitted into a drug rehabilitation centre in
Abuja, but has since recovered, and returned to music.
Besides
his struggle with drug addiction, other health conditions required his
hospitalization on several occasions. He was rumored dead in September 2019 but
his manager quelled the rumors, confirming that Majek had indeed been
critically ill, hospitalized at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich,
England, and in dire need of financial assistance. Billionaire businessman and
philanthropist Femi Otedola has pledged to cover all the singer’s medical
expenses.
Source:wikipedia