Majek Fashek

Fashek was born in Benin City to an Edo Old Bendel State mother and a Ijesha father, (now Osun State, Western Nigeria) but identifies with his Benin roots. Various translations of his name Fasheke (Ifa-kii-she-eke) include "high priest who does not lie", "powers of miracles" and "(system or medium of) divination does not lie"[1][2] After his parents separated Fashek remained in Benin City with his mother, and soon joined the choir in his local Aladura church and learned to play the trumpet and guitar whilst composing songs for the choir.[7]

Fashek's musical influences include Bob Marley – whom he resembles vocally[11][12] – Jimi Hendrix, and Fela Kuti. He was one of the original Nigerian artists to be drawn to the music of the Caribbean, specifically reggae, rather than indigenous hybrids such as fuji, jùjú, but has been known to mix these genres into his own style which he calls kpangolo, and the song "My Guitar", an ode to his favourite instrument, was heavily influenced by rock.[13][14]

Fashek had a supporting role in the 2000 Nollywood movie Mark of the Beast,[15][16] and starred in a commercial for non-alcoholic beverage Diamalt. In 2016 he performed to audience of over 10,000 people in a comedy show hosted by Ayo Makun in Eko Hotel Hall, Lagos.[17]

In December 2016 Fashek contributed the song "We Are Not Afraid" to a video directed by Kevin Godley (10cc) featuring over 200 celebrities including 53 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to raise funds for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW).[18]

Fashek was married to Rita Fashek who inspired the song "Without You"; the couple had four children together, but later divorced.[19][20] In 2015, it was revealed that Fashek was bankrupt and battling drug addiction. After admitting that he needed help, he was admitted into a drug rehabilitation centre in Abuja,[21] where he recovered and returned to music.

Besides his struggle with drug addiction, other health conditions required Fashek's hospitalisation on several occasions. He was rumored dead in September 2019 but his manager quelled the rumors, confirming that Fashek had indeed been critically ill, hospitalized at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London in the UK, and in dire need of financial assistance.[22][23] Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Femi Otedola pledged to cover all the singer's medical expenses.[24]

Fashek died in his sleep on 1 June 2020 in New York City. He was 57, and was battling esophageal cancer. [25] His death was confirmed by his manager, Omenka Uzoma, on the late singer’s official Instagram handle. [26]

• African reggae
• Music of Nigeria
• Nigerian reggae

• Majek Fashek interview
• Majek Focus
• Majek Fashek discography at Discogs
• StackPath