By Anthony Maliki
Nigerians woke-up Tuesday to the disturbing news that reggae legend, Majek Fashek had died in New York, United States of America on Monday, June 1, 2020. While the death was as devastating as it is, indeed, the musician was “half-dead” following his battle with drug abuse. In fact, many say it was just a matter of time as he was only a shadow of himself. Apex News Exclusive presents few things you should know about “The rainmaker” as he was popular called in this tribute.
‘Going, going, gone’
1. Birth name: Majekodunmi Fasheke
2. Known name: Majek Fashek
3. Meaning of his name, Fasheke included “High priest who does not lie”, “Powers of miracles” and “System or medium of divination does not lie.”
4. Born in Benin Edo State
5. Died in New York City, U.S.
6. His music genres: Reggae, roots reggae, rock
7. Majek’s mother is from Edo State while his dad is Ijesha from Osun State
8. His parents separated but stayed with his mom in Benin
9. Majek joined the choir in his local Aladura church
10. He quickly learned to play the trumpet and guitar and composed songs for the choir
11. His early stage name was Rajesh Kanal
Majek later joined Jastix with McRoy Gregg and Black Rice. They gained popularity as the in-house band on the NTA Benin show “Music Panorama”
12. After Jastix disbanded in 1988, Majek signed with Tabansi Records beginning a solo career by releasing “Prisoner of Conscience”
13. After leaving Tabansi Records, Majek signed to CBS Nigeria in the early 1990s and released “So Long Too Long”
14. In 1994, Flame Tree released “The Best of Majek Fashek”
15. Majek was later dropped by Interscope before moving to Mango, a division of Island Records accustomed to marketing reggae internationally. His first album for the company included a cover version of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song”
16. He has recorded several albums for various labels including Rainmaker for Tuff Gong in 1997 and Little Patience for Coral in 2004
17. “Send Down the Rain” is Majek’s award-winning single
18. He worked with various renowned artists including Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff, Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, and Beyoncé
19. Majek was married to Rita who inspired the song “Without You” and had four children together
20. He and Rita later divorced
21. He was declared bankrupt in 2015 and was battling drug addiction
22. Majek admitted that he needed help and moved into a drug rehab in Abuja. He recovered and returned to music
23. He was rumoured to have died in September 2019 but his manager quelled the rumours. He said Majek was been critically ill and hospitalized at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich in the UK, and in dire need of financial assistance
24. Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has pledged to cover all the singer’s medical expenses
25. Majek was ambassador of the Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery, (MAMSER) a political orientation by military dictator General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (With agency information)
