The news broke just few hours ago. Renowned Nigerian contemporary reggae singer and guitarist, Majek Fashek also known as Majekodunmi Fasheke is no more.
However, Majek Fashek’s manager, Omenka Uzoma who confirmed his death is a short video equally has called on the global community to celebrate the legend’s achievements instead of morning his departure.
Another close ally of Fashek and Cynthia Morgan’s former manager, Joy Tongo equally confirmed Majek Fashek’s death on his Instagrampage
Fashek is reported to have died in a hospital in New York in the late hours of Monday, June 1.
African reggae legend. Majek Fashek attracted international attention, in 1987 with the song, “Send Down The Rain,” . He consolidated on it and went on to become one of Africa’s greatest reggae-influenced performers. His debut solo album, Prisoner Of Conscience, released in 1988, sold more than 200,000 copies in Nigeria alone.
He developed an early interest in the music of Jamaica and was equally drawn to the music of Indian cinema. He learnt to play guitar while in secondary school before joining a band, Jah Stix, and began playing in clubs in Lagos. He also had had a very close affinity with the late Nigerian afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
At a point in his long successful music career, he toured with fellow reggae group, The Mandators and served as backup singer for upcoming reggae singer Edi Rasta, who would later be known as Evi-Edna Ogholi.
In 1988, Majek Fashek, signed with Tabansi Records and began a solo career by releasing the album Prisoner of Conscience . He promptly became Nigeria’s number one reggae artist after the song “Send Down The Rain” became the most popular song of the year. 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’s next album was I&I Experience which was released in late 1989 under the Tabansi Label.
Just after a year, he left Tabansi Records, and signed to CBS Nigeria where he released “So Long Too Long“. In 1991 he was signed to Interscope Records and released the critically acclaimed album Spirit Of Love, produced by “Little Steven” Van Zandt.
Fashek was married to Rita Fashek who inspired the song “Without You”; the couple had four children together, before they separated in 2015, It was revealed that Fashek was bankrupt and battling drug addiction. He was treated at a drug rehabilitation centre where he recovered, and returned fully to music.
However as he grew in age, his health conditions deteriorated further. This led to intermittent hospitalisation on several occasions. When he was flown abroad a year or two ago, billionaire businessman and philanthropist Femi Otedola pledged to cover all the singer’s medical expenses.
