African reggae star Majek Fashek (born: Majekodunmi Fasheke) attracted
international attention, in 1987, when his self-penned tune, "Send Down
The Rain," seemed to coax a rain storm that ended one of the worst
draughts in Nigeria' s history. Labled a "prophet", Fashek went on to
become one of Africa's greatest reggae-influ...enced performers. His debut
solo album, Prisoner Of Conscience, released in 1988, sold more than 200,000 copies in Nigeria alone.
Born in Benin City, once the center of the ancient Sini kingdom, Fashek
inherited his love of music from his mother, an Edo woman who raised
him following the death of his father when he was eleven years old. A
businesswoman, who supplied concrete to road contractors, she inspired
him through her participation in traditional religious ceremonies where
the Olokun rhythms were used to accompany worship of the river goddess.
As a youngster, Fashek played maracas during the ceremonies.
While he developed an early interest in the music of Jamaica, Fashek
was equally drawn to the music of Indian cinema. Learning to play
guitar while in secondary school, Fashek joined a band, Jah Stix, and
began playing in clubs in the capitol city of Lagos.
Fashek, whose name means "power of miracles, the high priest does not
live", had a very close involvement with the late Nigerian drummer and
bandleader Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Though still alive but all is not that rossy for the one time king of reggea in nigeria as he is suffering from the aftermath of drug abuse.
No comments:
Post a Comment