The Rainmaker Bows Out

The entertainment industry worldwide was thrown into a mournful mood when the death of Nigeria’s Music Idol, Majekodunmi Fasheke, aka Majek Fashek was announced by his manager, Omenka Uzoma on Monday June 1, 2020. He died in a New York Hospital at the age of 57.


It all started at the rusty town, Ojota-Lagos in the early eighties when four jolly friends (Majek, Kimono, Mc Roy Gregg, and Black O Rice), teamed up to flow their own band called Jastix. The band held sway at Tabansi Records Oregun, as the best instrumentalists and were backing and recording for other musicians at the studio. Just like BLO then, backing the Ofeges, Jastix did same for Mandators, Andy Showman, Peterside Otong and many others too numerous to mention. Looking back those days when the restaurant owner at Tabansi Studio, a Lady of great endowment would scold Majek for playing Oliver Twist on credit-account (tomorrow I go pay). Nobody knew that Majek Fashek had been in the field planting his seeds and waiting for the Lord to send down the rain, the lead track in his album, (Prisoner of Conscience) that took the music world by storm.

Black O Rice later left for Germany with his German wife leaving Majek, Gregg and Kimono. In the spirit of true friendship, Majek contributed significantly in the release of Ras Kimono’s under pressure hit album. Majek, a prolific song writer, singer, guitarist best remembered for his 1988 prophetic multiple award-winning single, (Send down the Rain). Majek left for the United States of America in order to fulfill his dream of playing with bigger names in the music world which he succeeded by playing with various artistes worldwide, like Jimmy Cliff, Snoop Dogg, Beyonce, Michael Jackson and Tracy Chapman.

Born of dual parentage, Father Yoruba and Mother Edo with his roots in the Benin Kingdom, Majek began his journey into the music world when he joined the Aladura church (White garment) in Benin where he learned to play the trumpet and guitar while composing songs for the choir. He later became popular on television with his band Jastix on the Show, Music Panorama, featuring on NTA Benin.

His monster hit, “Send down the rain” took him to lime light, winning 6 performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) awards for “Song of the year” “Album of the year”, “Reggae Artiste of the year” in 1988. Other hot and bouncing hit songs were released in “I and I experience” album before he signed on to CBS Nigeria.

In the early 1990 he came out with “So Long, Too Long” on Flame Tree Label, then the best of Majek Fashek followed in 1994 with the evergreen remix of the chart-bursting single of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song”. Adieu, Rain maker, Majek Fashek, the Nigerian music industry, the world reggae family and the global pop music community as well as Nigerians across board will miss you. You will remain fresh in our memory as we mourn you through your numerous contributions in Nigeria and worldwide’s music and entertainment.