Legendary Nigerian singer, songwriter and guitarist, Majekodunmi
Fasheke popularly known as Majek Fashek, has died.
According to reports, the “Send Down the Rain” crooner, aged 71
died in a hospital in New York on Monday June 1. Our sources are
yet to confirm the cause of his death.
He was born in Benin City to an Edo mother and a Ijesha father,
but identifies with his Benin roots.
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.
In 1988, shortly after Jastix disbanded Fashek, who now used the
name Majek Fashek, signed with Tabansi Records and began a solo
career by releasing the album Prisoner of Conscience and quickly
became Nigeria’s top reggae artist after the song “Send Down The
Rain” became the most popular song of the year, and in 1989 he won
six PMAN awards for “Song of the Year”, “Album of the Year”, and
“Reggae Artist of the Year” among others.
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
The ‘rain maker’ as he his fondly called has has worked with
various artists worldwide including Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff,
Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, and Beyoncé.
Majek’s life and work are still prominently celebrated by
Nigerian music fans and beyond. His legacy of excellence in music
and worldwide impact through instrumentation will live
imminently.
Legendary Nigerian singer, songwriter and guitarist, Majekodunmi
Fasheke popularly known as Majek Fashek, has died.
According to reports, the “Send Down the Rain” crooner, aged 71
died in a hospital in New York on Monday June 1. Our sources are
yet to confirm the cause of his death.
He was born in Benin City to an Edo mother and a Ijesha father,
but identifies with his Benin roots.
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.
In 1988, shortly after Jastix disbanded Fashek, who now used the
name Majek Fashek, signed with Tabansi Records and began a solo
career by releasing the album Prisoner of Conscience and quickly
became Nigeria’s top reggae artist after the song “Send Down The
Rain” became the most popular song of the year, and in 1989 he won
six PMAN awards for “Song of the Year”, “Album of the Year”, and
“Reggae Artist of the Year” among others.
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
The ‘rain maker’ as he his fondly called has has worked with
various artists worldwide including Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff,
Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, and Beyoncé.
Majek’s life and work are still prominently celebrated by
Nigerian music fans and beyond. His legacy of excellence in music
and worldwide impact through instrumentation will live
imminently.