Majek Fashek passes away

By Iyabode Ishola
Legendary Nigerian Reggae Star, Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly known as Majek Fashek died in New York on June 1. Fashek died after battling with cancer for almost a year. The news of his death was announced by his manager, Uzoma Omenka, on the singer's Instagram.

It was gathered that Majek was separated from his family for 10 years, until last year September when they were reunited on the advice of his doctors that he should stay close to his family.

Majek Fashek who was rumoured to have died last year, after he was hospitalized in London, finally succumbed to death at age 57.

The iconic Reggae singer came to limelight in the 1980s, when highlife and juju fames were going down in Nigeria.

Majek in one of his interviews said Bob Marley was a major influence in his musical style and looks at the Jamaican legend as his mentor. His 1991 album: "So Long, Too Long", which carried a strong political and pan-African message gained Majek Fashek popularity across Africa and the world. The song was a call for Africans to rise up, both in the continent and those in the diaspora.

He also released another album titled: “Free Africa, Free Mandela”, calling for the release of the leader of the African National Congress in South Africa, Nelson Mandela. He was best known for his 1988 album “Prisoner of Conscience” and another album he released in 1990: “Send Down the Rain”. This album won him several awards. He was one of the greatest reggae artistes in Africa. 

Late Majek Fashek

His Profile:

Majekodunmi Fasheke was born in Benin City by an Edo mother and a Yoruba father, from Abeokuta in 1963.

After the separation of his parents, Majek remained in Benin City with his mother. Like many other Nigerian musicians, he started his musical career from church. He was a member of a choir in Aladura Church, and learned to play trumpet and guitar, as well as composing songs for the choir.

According to reports, in the early eighties, Majek known then by the stage name Rajesh Kanal, joined the group Jastix with McRoy Gregg, and lead singer 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, Majek Fashek, signed with Tabansi Records and began a solo career by releasing the album Prisoner of Conscience and became Nigeria’s top reggae artist after the song “Send Down The Rain”, which became the most popular song of the year. In 1989 he won six PMAN awards which included “Song of the Year”, “Album of the Year”, and “Reggae Artist of the Year”. Fashek’s next album was I&I Experience which was released in late 1989 under the Tabansi label. As a sign of his international reach, he appeared in 1992 on the high-profile David Letterman chat show on US television, where he sang “So Long Too Long.”