Facts About Late Nigerian Reggae Icon Majek Fashek

Nigeria’s reggae legend, Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly called, Majek Fashek, was announced dead by his manager, Umenka Uzoma, on Tuesday, June 2.

The legend however had many accomplishments to his credit. 

Birth 

Fashek was born in 1949 in Benin City to an Edo mother and an Ijesha, Osun State  father. He however identified mostly with his Benin roots. 

Awards

In 1988 he became a top reggae artist after releasing a  chart-bursting song, ‘Send Down The Rain’, which is one of the songs featured on his album ‘Prisoner of Conscience’.  In 1989 he won six Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria’s awards for “Song of the Year”, “Album of the Year”, and ‘Reggae Artist of the Year,’ among others.

Role In Activism

The icon also played a huge role in activism with albums like, “I &I Experience,”  and his song, “Free Africa, Free Mandela,’where he called for the freedom of former South African President, Nelson Mandela and the liberation of Africa.

In December 2016,  Fashek also featured in the  song “We Are Not Afraid.” The video of the song  featured 200 celebrities and the song was aimed at raising funds for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW).

 Movie Career At Nollywood

The Nigerian reggae icon also featured in a popular Nollywood movie in 2000 where he played a supporting role in the movie, Mark of the Beast.’

Jastix

Majek started his career with a reggae group, Jastix, comprising himself, Mcroy Gregg and Black Rice.

Labels

Majek Fashek was at different times signed to Mango Records, Interscope Records and Lightyear Entertainment.