Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly known as Majek Fashek was a Nigerian singer, songwriter and guitarist. In this article, we will tell you about his biography, age and other interesting facts about the legend.

Early life and biography

Fashek was born in Benin City to an Edo State mother and an Ijesha father, Osun State. One translation of his name Fasheke (Ifa-kii-she-eke) includes “high priest who does not lie”.

After his parents separated Fashek stayed with his mother in Benin City.

There in Benin, he joined the choir in his local Aladura church where he learned to play the trumpet and guitar.

He was also composing songs for the church choir then.

Majek Fashek correct age

Indeed, there are varying reports of the singers age, some news site said he is 57 while others have said he is 71.

However, according to his manager, Omenka Uzoma, Fashek was born on the 7th of March in 1963. that means he is currently 61.

10 things you should know about Majek Fashek

1. There are various translations of the name ‘Majek Fashek’. Meaning of his name Fasheke (Ifa-Kii-she-eke) includes “high priest who does not lie”, “powers of miracles” and “divination does not lie”.
2. Majek’s parents separated and after the separation, Fashek remained in Benin City with his mother. There he joined his church choir (Aladura Church) composing songs for them.
   In fact, he learned to play the trumpet and guitar in his church.
3. Back in the early eighties, Fashek used to go by the stage name Rajesh Kanal.
4. He joined the group Jastix with McRoy Gregg in the early 80s. Also, he was the lead singer for Black Rice. However, in 1988, Jastix disbanded Majek.
5. They were famously recognised as the in-house band on the show Music Panorama on NTA Benin City.
6. In 1988, shortly after Jastix disbanded him, he began a solo career. He then released the album ‘Prisoner of Conscience’
7. Majek became Nigeria’s top reggae artist after he released the song ‘Send Down The Rain’. The song also became the most popular song of the year.
8. Consequent of his very popular song in 1988, he won six PMAN awards in 1989. The awards included Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Reggae Artist of the Year among others.
9. He left Tabansi Records and signed to CBS Nigeria in the early 1990s. Then he released ‘So Long Too Long’. In the same 1990, he signed to Interscope Records and released the critically praised album ‘Spirit Of Love’ produced by “Little Steven” Van Zandt.
10. The legend played a supporting role in Nollywood movie ‘Mark of the Beast’ in 2000. He also starred in a commercial for non-alcoholic beverage Diamant.

Other facts

1. In 2016, he delivered a soul-lifting comedy performance in a comedy show (with more than ten thousand audiences in attendance) in Lagos, Nigeria.
2. In December of 2016, Fashek contributed the song “We Are Not Afraid” to a video starring 200 celebrities to raise funds for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW).
3. Also known as ‘Rain-Maker’, he has worked with various artists in the international scene. They include Beyoncé, Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff, Snoop Dogg, and late Michael Jackson.
4. Fashek married Rita Fashek. She inspired the song “Without You” The couple had four children together, but later divorced. Fashek has been separated from his family since 2010.
5. In 2015, it was reported that he was bankrupt and struggling with drug addiction. He admitted to the fact that he needed help. Thereafter, he was admitted into a drug rehabilitation centre in Abuja. After which he recovered and returned to music.

In 2016, Majek performed shirtless at the popular Ay Live comedy show. Watch video below

Fashek’s death

It was a known fact that Majek Fashek was battling drug addiction for which he was sent to a rehabilation centre.

However, asides from the battle with drugs, the legend was also battling other health issues.

In fact, the singer has been hospitalized on several occasions. In one of such occasions, he was hospitalized at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, UK.

His manager, Uzoma Omenka came out to debunk rumours of his death in one of the occasions when he was hospitalised.

However, he revealed that the singer was in desperate need of financial assistance.

Fashek died on the 1st of June, 2020 in the United States, after battling cancer. He was aged 57

His manager, Omenka Uzoma, confirmed his death on the late singer’s official Instagram handle. 

Although he was separated from his wife and sons for ten years, he died while with them as the doctors had instructed that his family be close to him.

Based on the doctors’ instructions, they moved him from London to New York where his wife and three sons reside. There he died.

List of Fashek’s albums

Here is a list of Fashek’s albums

Tabansi Records
I & I Experience
Prisoner of Conscience (Re-release)
So Long Too Long
Spirit of Love
Rainmaker
Best of Majek Fashek
Little Patience