Music icon, Majekodunmi Fasheke popularly known as Majek Fashek has staged a comeback to the music stage after 30 years,, releasing a new single to celebrate his return.
The ‘Send Down The Rain’ crooner is giving his career a reboot 30 years after he first joined showbiz and enduring many years of mental instability and poor health believed to be caused by an addiction to hard drugs and alcohol.
Celebrities and fans of music icon, Majek Fashek gathered to celebrate his 30th anniversary on stage over the weekend, in Lagos south west Nigeria.
Radio journalist, Cordelia Okpei, who reported the release of his debut single back in 1988 in an interview with Channels Television expressed excitement at having the rainmaker back.
“I am a very big fan of Majek Fashek, when he came out with the very first one, the ‘Send Down The Rain ‘album. Then I was already in broadcasting, so we use to play it a lot. Whenever we played it, it will rain.
“That song has like a myth attached to it and somehow the myth is becoming a reality. So, seeing him fall and getting up to this point, makes me as a fan very happy,” Okpei said.
Another guest at the launch, Sunmonu Bello Osagie said that after Majek left the United States for Nigeria, things were never the same.
“I remember when Majek came into the U.S, he was already a house -hold name in Nigeria but we wanted him to come into the America market and we started doing all that we need to do. He started playing in clubs, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, everywhere and we caught the attention of jimmy Iovine, the president of Interscope record and he got signed to the record label.
“The issue of Majek ditto did not start in U.S because after our record, to show good faith, he decided to come to Nigeria, even before we released the album. When we finished the album Majek came home and a lot happened. When he finally came for us to promote the record, things were not the same like before.only God knows what happened,” he said
Harris Igiehon, who was Majek first manager, when he was under the ‘Jastix’ group said that Majek’s voice was exceptional which made him stand out.
“When I heard his voice, my goodness, he was exceptional and I told him he sings like Bob Marley and he played his amazing guitar and amazing drum, I was so impressed, that was what drew him to me so I had to take him under my arm.They had a band before I came in and the member of the band were all singing praises of him,” Harris said.
Sound Sultan also at the launch confessed that Majek’s music is greatly influenced by his exposure to music by Majek.
“I listened to Majek Fashek so much, I fell in love with the guitar, I love the soul fullness of his music. Apart from all the popular songs that he spilled out, there are so many songs that I go and I dig into and find useful to me.”
To celebrate, Majek has released a new album which features a remake of his old classic ‘Holy Spirit’ now titled ‘Take Over Me’ featuring pop star Tuface Idibia.