Majek Fashek Nigerian reggae legend, The Rainmaker. Learn about his age, top songs, net worth, family, and death in 2020.
Majek Fashek was one of Africa’s greatest reggae icons — a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose voice commanded both stages and skies. Born Majekodunmi Fasheke in Benin City, Nigeria, he rose to continental fame in the late 1980s with his landmark album Prisoner of Conscience. His legendary single “Send Down the Rain” earned him the nickname The Rainmaker, a title that followed him throughout his career.
Beyond the music, Fashek’s story is one of extraordinary talent, global collaborations, personal battles, and enduring impact. He worked alongside world-class artists including Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff, Snoop Dogg, and Beyoncé. Though he passed away on June 1, 2020, his music continues to resonate with millions across Africa and beyond.
Quick Facts About Majek Fashek
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Majekodunmi Fasheke |
| Stage Name | Majek Fashek / The Rainmaker |
| Date of Birth | March 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria |
| Date of Death | June 1, 2020 |
| Age at Death | 57 years old |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist |
| Genre | Reggae, Roots Reggae, Kpangolo |
| Spouse | Rita Fashek (divorced) |
| Children | Four |
| Famous For | “Send Down the Rain”, Prisoner of Conscience |
| Record Labels | Tabansi Records, Interscope Records, CBS Nigeria |
Early Life and Family Background
Majekodunmi Fasheke was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, in March 1963. He came from a mixed heritage — his father, Emmanuel Olatunji Fasheke, was an Ijesha (Yoruba) man from Osun State who served as a former principal of Igbobi College in Yaba, Lagos. His mother was Edo, and it was with her cultural world that young Majek found his earliest musical roots.
His parents separated when he was still young. After his father died when he was just ten years old, Majek went to live with his mother in Benin City, who worked as a businesswoman supplying concrete to road contractors. She was a deeply spiritual woman who participated in traditional religious ceremonies featuring Olokun rhythms, and the young Fashek played maracas during those ceremonies, absorbing the rhythms that would later define his artistry.
His name itself carries powerful meaning. “Fasheke” (Ifa-Kii-She-Eke) translates to “the high priest does not lie” or “powers of miracles” — a prophetic identity that seemed to follow him throughout his life and music.
Musical Education and Early Influences
Fashek did not follow a conventional academic path into music. After joining his local Aladura church choir in Benin City, he taught himself to play the trumpet and guitar while also composing songs for the congregation. That church environment gave him discipline, spiritual depth, and vocal range.
His musical influences were eclectic and wide-reaching. He was drawn to Jamaican reggae, particularly the work of Bob Marley, as well as the sounds of Indian cinema. The electric energy of Jimi Hendrix and the Afrobeat genius of Fela Kuti also shaped his developing sound, creating the hybrid style he would later call Kpangolo — a fusion of reggae and indigenous Nigerian rhythms.
Rise to Fame: From Jastix to The Rainmaker
In the early 1980s, Fashek began his professional journey under the stage name Rajesh Kanal, joining a group called Jastix alongside musicians McRoy Gregg and Black Rice. The trio became the in-house band on Music Panorama, a popular show on NTA Benin. They also toured with the well-known reggae group The Mandators and served as session musicians for artist Edi Rasta, who later became known as Evi-Edna Ogholi.
After Jastix disbanded in 1988, Fashek signed with Tabansi Records and launched his solo career under his now-iconic stage name. His debut solo album, Prisoner of Conscience, became a cultural phenomenon. The lead single, “Send Down the Rain”, swept Nigeria — and reportedly, it rained each time he performed the song live. That reputation earned him the title “The Rainmaker,” one of the most enduring monikers in African music history.
The success of the album was staggering. In 1989, Fashek swept the PMAN Music Awards, winning six prizes including Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Reggae Artist of the Year. Nigeria had found its reggae king.
International Career and Global Collaborations
Fashek’s talent quickly attracted international attention. He left Tabansi for CBS Nigeria, where he released So Long Too Long — a track that was later included on Putumayo World Music’s debut compilation album, giving him a global audience. He subsequently signed with Interscope Records in 1990 and released Spirit of Love, a critically acclaimed album that cemented his presence in the international reggae scene.
He later moved to Mango Records, a label more experienced in marketing reggae worldwide. His work there included a cover of Bob Marley’s iconic “Redemption Song.” Over the following years, he recorded multiple albums across different labels, collaborating with some of the biggest names in global music — Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff, Snoop Dogg, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé — a list that few African artists of his era could match.
In 2016, he contributed the song “We Are Not Afraid” to a video featuring 200 celebrities, raising funds for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW). That same year, he performed at a comedy show in Lagos before a crowd of over ten thousand people, delivering what witnesses described as a soul-lifting set.
Personal Life and Marriage
Majek Fashek was married to Rita Fashek, who was the inspiration behind one of his most heartfelt songs, “Without You.” Together they had four children. The marriage, however, eventually broke down under the strain of his personal struggles, and the couple later divorced.
Despite the personal difficulties, Fashek remained close to his children. He was reportedly under the care of his eldest son, Randy, in New York at the time of his passing.
Battles with Addiction and Health Struggles
The latter chapter of Fashek’s life was marked by deeply public health battles. In 2015, it was revealed that he was bankrupt and struggling with drug addiction. He acknowledged needing help and was admitted to a rehabilitation centre in Abuja. He later recovered and briefly returned to music, but the struggles were far from over.
By 2019, he had been hospitalized at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, England, in critical condition. His manager appealed publicly for financial assistance, and Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola stepped in to cover his medical expenses. Beyond addiction, Fashek also battled additional health conditions including esophageal cancer and liver disease.
He was discharged in January 2020 and transferred to a hospital in New York. On June 1, 2020, Majek Fashek passed away in his sleep at the age of 57. His death was confirmed by his manager, Omenka Uzoma Day, via Instagram. The exact cause was not officially disclosed.
Net Worth
Majek Fashek’s net worth at the time of his death was modest, a stark contrast to the heights of his career. His long battle with addiction led to reported bankruptcy by 2015, and much of his wealth had been depleted by medical expenses and personal difficulties. Estimates suggest his net worth was in a limited range, though his artistic catalog retains significant cultural value. His music and legacy remain commercially active across digital streaming platforms.
Awards and Achievements
- Six PMAN Music Awards (1989): Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Reggae Artist of the Year, and others
- First Nigerian reggae artist to sign with Interscope Records
- Featured on Putumayo World Music’s debut compilation album
- Collaborated with globally recognized acts across four decades
- Regarded as a pioneer of Nigerian reggae music
Wrapping Up
Majek Fashek was more than a musician — he was a force of nature whose influence transcended borders and generations. From the choir of an Aladura church in Benin City to the stages of international music, his journey was remarkable. His voice brought rain, his songs carried truth, and his spirit left an indelible mark on African music.
His story is also a cautionary one. The battles he faced with addiction and health remind us of the very human vulnerabilities that even the most gifted artists carry. Yet his music never aged, and the legend of The Rainmaker only grows with time.
Majek Fashek may have left the stage, but the rain he called down continues to fall through every note of his surviving recordings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who was Majek Fashek?
Majek Fashek, born Majekodunmi Fasheke, was a legendary Nigerian reggae singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known for the 1988 album Prisoner of Conscience and the hit single “Send Down the Rain.” He was widely regarded as the father of Nigerian reggae.
Q2: When did Majek Fashek die?
Majek Fashek died on June 1, 2020, in New York City, USA. He was 57 years old at the time of his passing. His death was confirmed by his manager, Omenka Uzoma Day, on Instagram.
Q3: What is Majek Fashek’s most famous song?
His most famous song is “Send Down the Rain” from the 1988 album Prisoner of Conscience. The song won multiple PMAN awards in 1989 and earned him the nickname “The Rainmaker.” It remains one of the most iconic tracks in Nigerian music history.
Q4: Why was Majek Fashek called The Rainmaker?
He earned the nickname because it reportedly rained whenever he performed “Send Down the Rain” live. The phenomenon became so consistent and well-documented that fans and the media began calling him The Rainmaker as both a tribute and a legend.
Q5: Who did Majek Fashek collaborate with internationally?
Fashek collaborated with several global music icons including Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff, Snoop Dogg, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé. He was one of the first Nigerian artists to build a significant international music career and discography.
Q6: Did Majek Fashek struggle with drug addiction?
Yes. In 2015, it was publicly revealed that Fashek was battling drug addiction and had gone bankrupt. He sought help and was admitted to a rehabilitation centre in Abuja. Despite recovery efforts, he continued to face serious health challenges until his death in 2020.
Q7: How many children did Majek Fashek have?
Majek Fashek had four children with his former wife, Rita Fashek. The couple later divorced. At the time of his death, he was under the care of his eldest son, Randy, in New York City.
