The Rollercoaster Life Of Nigerian Late Reggae Icon, Majek Fashek

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Nigerian reggae music maestro, Majek Fashek, died Tuesday morning in New York, United States at age 62.

Omenka Uzoma, who has served as Majek’s Manager and Publicist for about seven years, announced his demise Tuesday morning.

Uzoma, writing on Instagram, said:“The legend has gone to meet with the Lord. It was a time for us all to celebrate his achievements, and not mourn. He’s done a lot for Nigeria and Africa.”

As the news of his death swept across the world —especially Lagos, Nigeria, where his chequered music career took off— the heaven finally gets its weatherman as he sends down the rain while he travels home for the last time.

For the departed reggae music icon of our time, it was a rollercoaster of fame and pseudo-shame.

THE GAINS

The singer, songwriter and guitarist, born Majekodunmi Fasheke —Ma-je-ko-dun-mi Ifa-kii-she-eke— was a phenomenal talent and unarguably one of Africa’s greatest Reggae artists —he was the first African artist to be signed to Interscope Records in 1990 in a $20 million deal.

In the early to mid 1980s, Majek earned his recognition on a television show —NTA Benin— as a member of Jastix Band also consisting of late Ras Kimono and Amos McRoy Gregg as members.

Evi Edna Ogholi also performed as an upcoming artist with the group.

But Majek officially hit the limelight as a solo artiste in 1988 with the album ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ which included the multiple award-winning single ‘Send Down the Rain‘.

The song became a major hit worldwide and garnered multiple awards, including Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN’s prestigious awards of Song of The Year, Album of the Year and Reggae Artist of the Year in 1989.

Leaning on the success of that so many irresistible hits debut album, Majek went on to share his gift of music with the world by touring the world with his unique sound of African reggae.

His sophomore album ‘Sprit of Love’, was released under Interscope Records in 1991.

The album, which has another masterpiece in ‘So Long for Too Long’ incorporated haunting vocals with the artist’s captivating rhythm, validated Majek’s status as an icon.

In June 16, 1992, Majek capped his star status when he made an appearance on the high profile international talk show, Late Night With David Letterman to perform the song, ‘So Long Too Long’.

But it’s on record that his least celebrated song, Love & Affection, a soundtrack which he wrote and performed for the Fool’s Gold, a 2008 Hollywood Romantic-comedy movie from Warner Bros, remains a masterpiece and a mellifluous diet for lovers.

An excerpts from the lyrics Majek penned and sang in the George Fenton-produced soundtrack album reads: “…Silver and gold, I have not to give to you girl; material things, I have not to give to you girl; money and suites, I have not to give to you girl; all I have for you, all I got for you is my love and affection…”

THE PAINS

As a true legend, Majek successfully crossed over with his unique sound. Many industry buffs agreed he would have done more if not for the issue of drug and the following reports of the musician struggling with his health in the mid 2000s which went on to imperil his guaranteed career.

In 2015, it was finally revealed that Majek was actually bankrupt and battling drug addiction.

After admitting that he needed help, the singer was admitted into a drug rehabilitation centre in Abuja.

Majek, who had worked with international stars including Jimmy Cliff, Tracy Chapman and Snoop Dogg, recovered and returned to music.

He actually tried to revive his asphyxiated career, but his “demons” stood in the way of his resurrection.

In September 2019, Majek was reported hospitalized at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, United Kingdom.

The Reggae legend had been flown out of Nigeria when his health condition deteriorated.

Video clips of him in his hospital bed later went viral, showing his pathetic situation. His manager, Omenka, later lamented they were currently stranded in the hospital and in need of urgent financial support that would cater for their feeding, transportation and other expenses.

“We have been to Nigerian High Commission in the UK and they said they have no funds and it is not their duty, you can’t imagine,” said Omenka.

The manager however didn’t disclose Majek’s nature of ailment, but said that over N10 million (€25,000) had been spent before the singer was flown abroad.

He further stated that Majek had granted him permission to plead with his fans to assist him financially. A huge relief, however, came the way of ailing Majek when Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, decided to take up his medical expenses.

For Majek, after finding success both at home and in America, not a few could wrap around their heads how he gradually went from being rich to bankruptcy.

The Reggae star had reportedly sold out shows across America and other Western nations which fetched him a lot of dough. This is outside other associated millions of dollars he raked in from royalties and endorsements during his over three decades’ career.

Majek was even reported to have been once gifted $100,000 by late Bob Marley’s widow, Rita, thus many were of the belief that he has no business with bankruptcy. However, financial experts posit you’re as only good as the people you trust.

There are assumptions that Majek’s previous managers made some bad decisions with his money. But in the real sense, those who followed his trajectory said the real demon to be blamed for Majek’s problem was drugs.

For Victor Ganzallo, a seasoned brand journalist and lifestyle enthusiast, he believes both factors ruined Majek.

He however heaped bulk of the blame on Majek’s previous management who was regarded as ineffectual and failed to pay necessary attention to his lifestyle as an artiste.

According to him, they allowed him to become a debauchee with Majek taking solace in crack as an enhancer which increasingly crackled him until it became too late to salvage him.

“Majek was ruined by drugs, all in the name of helping to enhance his stamina for the numerous performance schedules he had in the United States then. He was hooked and that was it,” Ganzallo said. 

“Majek derailed and didn’t get the right people to come around him on time. He was a fantastic guy, correct gentleman. Stardom got to him and unfortunately at the time he derailed, he didn’t get help. Going to America (actually) finished him,” he added.

Sources have said at a point Majek got help in America. His children were even said to have secured an intervention programme for him, unfortunately the music star already had nasty drug and alcoholic problems.

Majek himself was said to be living in denial for a very long time alluding his socio-medical condition to a feeble spiritualism of witchcraft.

“Majek was very traditional and superstitious too. He believed there was a spiritual hand to his problem,” Ganzallo reiterated.

Nonetheless, there were concerted efforts at home to assist Majek to get back his artistic mojo.

His new management and some friends staged a comeback concert at Lagos Oriental Hotel in 2017 to celebrate his 30 years on stage, disappointly, a lot of top stars invited never showed up except for few artistes like Tuface Idibia Sound Sultan, Ade Bantu, Jimmy Jatt and a handful of stand-up comedy stars.

The venue was so scanty and the disrespect to the musical icon can be felt.

“I almost wept for the disrespect to this musical icon. I bet you they are the ones that will start posting social media tributes,” said Michael Nwadibie, a seasoned broadcaster with Silverbird Rhythm Network, who was at the concert.

Sadly and unsurprising, on a day Majek passed on, most of these today’s stars are acting ignorantly of Majek’s demise rather they are busy with some irrelevant hashtag on the social media.

But Fredrick Nwabufo, another journalist, has captured this moment succinctly in his recent article titled “Nigeria’s ‘Forgotten’ Reggae Greats” he penned for TheCable: “Indubitably, Majek (is) a living legend; it will not be out of place to say that he does not pull the musical strings of most young Nigerians today.”

TRIBUTES

Despite the disappointment from the late Majek’s constituency, so many other personalities have been dropping their tributes in memory of one of the most beautiful voices to have come out of Africa.

Late Majek’s home State of Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki posted a tribute early Tuesday morning. He tweeted: “I mourn the death of quintessential, maverick musician and Edo son, Majek Fashek. Fashek, who took the world by storm with his enigmatic talent, remains one of the finest cultural icons of his age and would be remembered for his disarming craft and skill.”

For Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Nigeria’s Minister of State, Labour and Employment, he paid tribute to Majek in a tweet: “R.I.P my big brother, Mr. Majekodunmi Fasheke (aka Majek Fashek), the ‘Rain Maker’ and extraordinarily gifted musician. They don’t make them like you anymore. Your remake of the song Hotel California remains one of my favorites and, of course, the ever green, Send Down the Rain!”

Lauretta Onochie, one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s media aides writes: “At last he rests: He escapes the life that held him captive. He escapes a world where talented people are milked till nothing is left; where no vice can touch him. But we won’t forget you, as younger people your music moved our feet and gladdened our souls. Sleep Well, Majek Fashek.”

Senator Shehu Sani also reflected in a tweet: “Some years ago I met Majek Fashek near a train station in New York before he returned to Nigeria. He was a shadow of the man many of us loved decades ago. Majek rode through a rough and dangerous terrain in Life. He tried to pick up and now is gone. He was an unforgettable legend. RIP”

Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw writes: “…The sky looks misty and cloudy looks like the rains gonna fall today…RIP Majek Fashek… I pray you finally rest well. Thank you for the great songs. Thank you for using your talent to bring smiles on our faces.. Sun rè…”

Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and Convener of Nigeria Entertainment Conference, NECLive writes: “The editorial board of Nigerian Entertainment Today (Netng) and organizers of Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive) are saddened by the passing of reggae music legend, Majek Fashek.

“Majekodunmi Fasheke was an extraordinary talent who blessed the world with a unique version of reggae music birthed by the infusion of special African rhythms and sounds that he named kpangolo. And the world fell in love with him.

“With his creative genius, remarkable stage presence, deep spirituality and commercial appeal, Majek Fashek redefined what it meant to be a globally recognized African music star. He broke all barriers and penetrated hearts and homes beyond the shores of the continent.

“Majek’s success in the late 80s and early 90s helped breathe new life into the local Nigerian music scene, and his works continue to inspire today’s generation of artistes and performers. He will forever be remembered not only for sending down the rain, but also for his reign as leading cultural ambassador of Nigerian music, which he proudly introduced to millions of people around the world.

“While we mourn Majek Fashek’s passing and commiserate with his family on this loss, we continue to celebrate his remarkable life and the evergreen music he left us with.

DISCOGRAPHY

In his lifetime, Majek wrote scores of evergreen songs store in his repertoire.

His Discography is inexhaustible but here are some of them:

-Send Down The Rain
-Religion Na Politics
-So Long Too Long
-Free Mandela
-Majek Fashek in a New York
-Little Patience
-I Come From The Ghetto
-Africa United
-Mother
-Kpangolo
-I Am Not Afraid