2nd June, 2020
By Jennifer Okundia
Majekodunmi Fasheke, known by his stage name Majek Fashek or the rainmaker as fans like to refer to him, died in the early hours of Tuesday, June 2nd 2020.
The ‘So Long, Send Down the Rain’ crooner was a legendary reggae artiste who was born in Benin City to an Edo mother and an Ijesha father.
Majek’s musical style was influenced by the very best including the late Bob Marley, Fela Kuti and rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
Nollywood actress Lala Akindoju reacted to Fashek’s passing among others. See the reactions:
I spent a huge part of Saturday mornings as a child dancing and singing to Majek Fashek’s albums played by my dad….records from his turntable. Such beautiful memories…Rest In Power Majek Fashek. No wonder it’s raining…#RainMaker
— Kemi Lala Akindoju (@lalaakindoju) June 2, 2020
The message in this song…stil so apt! Rest in Power Majek Fashek. Thank you for the music, thank you for the memories #RainMaker https://t.co/rV4m2O0lwE
— Kemi Lala Akindoju (@lalaakindoju) June 2, 2020
The rain keeps pouring down just as the news of Majek Fashek breaks in. Rest in Peace to the Rainmaker. pic.twitter.com/uuf835ho92
— FiReFlY 🔥🐝 (@getKennethed22) June 2, 2020
The Rain maker is dead and it's raining heavily. Majek still sent rains while he travels home for the last time. Rest in peace Majek Fashek. pic.twitter.com/PGFVnh8MgW
— DEMAGOGUE PhD.💘senior advocat🎓 (@von_Bismack) June 2, 2020
Rest In Peace to the Legend Majek Fashek. Thank you for sharing your gift of music with the world 🌍🇳🇬👑💔 In 1992, He made an appearance on Late Night With David Letterman with his song So Long Too Long from the album Sprit of Love. pic.twitter.com/YNfgRocUMZ
— ✨👑 DaddyMO👑✨ (@therealdaddymo1) June 2, 2020
Majek Fashek. Rest in peace. Peace to the fallen. 💔🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/vJzclRzLxy
— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) June 2, 2020
Rest In Peace to the legend Majek Fashek and thanks to him for the great childhood music memories!!!
Had a pretty engaging #RubbinMinds interview with him 6 years ago… pic.twitter.com/tNhcw7odRS
— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) June 2, 2020
The Rain Maker is gone. The rains are pouring presently.
Rest in Peace Majek Fashek pic.twitter.com/J69WU0AqY7
— Folarin Gerard (@FolarinGerard) June 2, 2020
Majek was married to Rita Fashek and the couple who have since divorced have four children together. In 2015, news made the rounds that Fashek was bankrupt and battling drug addiction. The singer admitted he needed help and was admitted into a drug rehabilitation center in Abuja, but later recovered, and returned to music.
Fashek was rumored dead in September 2019 but his manager rather confirmed that Majek had been critically ill, hospitalized at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, England, and in dire need of financial assistance. Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola pledged to cover all the singer’s medical expenses.
Besides struggling with drug addiction, other health conditions required his hospitalization on several occasions.
Omenka Uzoma, Majek’s manager confirmed his death on the late singer’s official Instagram handle.