Entertainment
Nigeria’s reggae titan Majek Fashek, the ‘Rainmaker’, exits
BY KAZIE UKO
Tragedy struck the Nigerian music industry in far away New York, United States of America, Monday night with the news of death of Nigeria’s foremost reggae singer Majekodunmi Fasheke – Majek Fashek. He was 57 years old.
Chairman Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Nigeria’s foremost collective management organisation (CMO), and former president of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Chief Tony Okoroji, disclosed this in a statement earlier today June 2, 2020.
Majek, alongside his equally popular contemporaries Ras Kimono, The Mandators and Evi-Edna Ogholi ruled Nigeria’s reggae scene in the late 80s and early 90s, but he was the biggest deal of the moment, coasting home with multiple awards at the then Nigerian Music Awards.
His debut album, Prisoner of Conscience, released in 1987 on Tabansi Records label, an indigenous music publishing outfit, shot him into national and international limelight.
Every song in the nine-track album was a hit and remained evergreen, including his remake of the very popular Redemption Song, originally done by reggae legend Bob Nesta Marley. But it was the mystical track, Send Down the Rain, that dominated the airwaves and helped to build a myth around the Edo-born artiste.
The elements responded positively to the lyrics of Send Down the Rain each time the song hit the airwaves, whether on radio or concert venues. On several occasions, a sunny or clement weather had given way to frowning clouds and eventual downpour, further perpetuating the myth around Majek.
The Rastaman was soon to be dubbed ‘Rainmaker’, an appellation this reporter was one of the earliest to coin in the newsroom.
When the news of his passing broke early this morning in Nigeria, the weather was the first to react! In Lagos, where he sowed his seed of stardom, the news was greeted with heavy winds and rain, apparently signalling the fall of the musical Iroko and passage of an era.
Majek recorded two other hits, I & I Experience still on Tabansi label in 1989 and then So Long Too Long on Sony Music Nigeria label in 1991, before jetting out of the country to seek international honours and glory.
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“Everyone knows that Majek Fashek was not just my colleague. He was my friend. He stood by my side and supported me from head to toe over many years. We have shared many memorable moments together. His passing on tears at my heart but I am consoled by the fact that there is no need to immortalise Majek Fashek. He has immortalised himself through his unforgettable songs and lyrics. We will celebrate Majek Fashek to inspire the young people in the creative family,” Chief Okoroji said in response to the passing of the reggae crooner.
He added: “There is almost nothing that COSON has done that Majek Fashek did not fully participate in. He was 100% dedicated to the COSON cause. Majek was not just a COSON member by name, he was a COSON member in his heart and indeed.
“All COSON members across Nigeria and all of our staff at COSON House which he visited regularly, will greatly miss this Nigerian of incomparable talent, the great “rain maker”. Since yesterday, it has been raining across the nation. It has to, as the great Rainmaker transits. It is said that Rastas never die. I take it that my brother, friend and colleague, the iconic Majek Fashek has not died, He has travelled and one day, we will join and make music together.”
Meanwhile, Okoroji said he had ordered that flags at COSON House in Ikeja, the headquarters of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), should fly at half-mast in celebration of the life of the iconic reggae singer and frontline member of COSON, Majek Fashek.
A condolence register has also been opened at the reception of COSON House for all who want to pay tribute to the memory of the phenomenal Nigerian act to do so. Also, videos of the remarkable performances of Majek are said to be playing on the various video screens at COSON House.
“In various ways, we will celebrate the life of this incredibly talented Nigerian. I hope that before the day is over, I will speak with Randy, his son who lives in New York. We have to deal with the time difference between Lagos and New York and we will make the necessary announcements,” Okoroji said in the statement.