Things To Remember About Majek Fashek

Uzo Chikere

Days were when Nigeria’s Send Down The Rain crooner was a showpiece of nearly a perfect creature whom girls would mob even to touch his shinny skin. That was back in the days. The tide seems to turn against the talented artiste who is presently a shadow of who he used to be as he cuts the image of a destitute depending on alms from benevolent people on the streets.

From his fear of rehab to his substance abuse, the reggae star's career has become a shadow of its once boastful success story.

Majek Fashek has been in the news for several months, from his frayed looks, to his use of drugs, his paranoia for the media and friends attempting to raise funds for him to go to rehab, all have made headlines.

Here are things should be remembered about the Nigerian reggae legend whose real name is Majekodunmi Fasheke.

The guitarist started his professional music career in a band called Ja’stix. His band mates included Ras Kimono, Amos McRoy, Gregg, Sammy Sammama, Geogre Orwells and Black O'Rice.

He was once signed to Columbia Records Nigeria, Island Records' imprint Mango Records and Interscope Records.  

His award-winning song Send Down The Rain is one of his most popular tracks. The song gained him foreign attention in the 90s.

His debut solo album ‘Prisoner of conscience’ (1988) sold over 200,000 copies in Nigeria.

Majek was one of the first Nigerians to perform on the David Letterman Show. In 1992, he and the Prisoner of Conscience band performed ‘So long’ on the late night show.

In 2007, there were reports that Charles Novia was making a film about the singer.

Majek's vocals closely resemble that of Bob Marley. On his ‘Prisoner Of Conscience’ album, he covers Bob Marley's Redemption song.

Fashek plans on releasing a new album this year. From the 80s till date, he has released four studio albums.

On December 5, 1990, Jon Pareles of the New York Times wrote in a review about the entertainer: “From an American perspective, he is a charismatic, accomplished performer with a gift for catchy riffs and a promising hybrid style”.

But how are mighty fallen.