Entertainment

Nigerian Music Legend, Majek Fashek Is Dead

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2020

Editor

Nigerian singer, songwriter and guitarist, Majekodunmi Fasheke popularly known as Majek Fashek is dead.

Report says the legendary died in a hospital in New York on Monday June 1, though the cause of his death was yet to be confirmed.

Besides his struggle with drug addiction, other health conditions had 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 “Send Down the Rain” crooner, who was aged 57, was born in Benin City to an Edo mother and a Ijesha father, but identifies with his Benin roots.

Fashek was married to Rita Fashek who inspired the song “Without You”; the couple had four children together, but have since divorced.

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.

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.

Related Topics:Majek Fashek Majek Fashek is dead

Up Next

JUST IN: Simi Welcomes Baby Girl

Don't Miss

Just In:Nollywood Actress Dies After Slumping

Comments

Entertainment

Sammie Okposo Didn’t Slump, Die —Management

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2022

Editor

Hillary Vincent, the project manager of popular gospel singer, Sammie Okposo, has denied the viral reports that the singer slumped in his Lekki, Lagos, residence on Friday morning, November 25, 2022. Many media outlets reported that after he allegedly slumped, he was rushed to the hospital, and was pronounced dead on arrival.

However, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Scoop, Vincent said, “It is not true that Sammie slumped and died. That report is false. At the right time, the family will set the records straight. But, I can tell you authoritatively that he did not slump. Rather, he just did not wake up from his sleep.

“As regards the funeral arrangements, the details will be made known by the family. But right now, they are still in grief and mourning the departed singer.

The singer was best known for songs such as Welu Welu, which was on his first album, Unconditional Love.

Na only You was another popular song which was contained in the album No More Drama. The album featured other gospel singers such as Kefee, Essence, Ige Samsong and Soji Isreal.

Another of his songs, Sing Hallelujah, was released in 2019, but it has continued to make waves, especially in gospel circles.

In 2020, he released Chukwu Ebube, a contemporary afrocentric worship that featured Micheal Stuckey.

Shortly before his death, he had held the Sammie Okposo Praise Party in Lagos on November 4, 2022. A day before his death, he had posted a throwback video of the concert on his Instagram page. In the video, he could be seen leading the congregation in an intense praise and worship session.

Meanwhile, tributes have not stopped pouring in for the singer. A veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, posted a video of both of them together. He added the caption, “This was exactly a month ago in the US. We spent two weeks together and fellowshipped as men. Ate, drank and, as I’m known to do, teased you. Toks or Jedi, would drive you to me and we would spend the entire day together.’’