Who will save the Rain Maker from the shackles of near destruction?
Once, it was rumoured that he was dead. But, it turned out to be a mere rumour. The rain maker was still very much alive. But behind every rumour, there is an atom of truth. People had spotted Fashek twice at O'Jez, looking very emaciated, sick and poorly dressed. It was obvious this “Prisoner of Conscience” needed an urgent help.
The last time he was at O'Jez, several of his fans were crying openly over his sorry sight, in fact, some fans that could not withstand his pitiable sight left the venue immediately.
Almost a year after, the situation is the same, if not worse. Majek needs the urgent help of public spirited individuals and philanhtropisys to be able to put himself together again and take up his musical career once again.As one writer once stated, this is not the time to apportion blames or crucify the once cerebral crooner, for what he has done wrong, it is the time to rescue and rehabilitate him and possibly revive his dead career. We also hope his State government is reading this.
Recently, some musicians raised alarm over the deplorable state of Majek and called on humanitarian organisations and the government to come to his aid. But up till the time of writing this story, nothing has been done. Concerned Nigerians say PMAN should swing into action now and act very fast, instead of waiting for his condition to deteriorate to a point of no remedy as this is the time to show love and care to one of their own, currently on the verge of losing it all.
Apart from his physical appearance, the Prisoner of Conscience crooner's mode of dressing is not as sparkling as it used to be.
Majek was said to have run amock while in the US, an allegation he denied. He was also said to have been hooked on drugs and alcohol, among other things.
Speaking through some of his friends, especially Rutheousman, during his rumoured death, the Rain Maker said ”I am alive, my new album will put the records straight.” That’s over a year now and those who have seen him recently said there’s need to step out and help him.
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-influenced performers. His debut solo album, Prisoner Of Conscience, released in 1988, sold more than 200,000 copies in Nigeria alone.
Born in Benin City, 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 Lagos.
Fashek, whose name means "power of miracles, the high priest does not live", had a very close involvement with the late music icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
The last time he was at O'Jez, several of his fans were crying openly over his sorry sight, in fact, some fans that could not withstand his pitiable sight left the venue immediately.
Almost a year after, the situation is the same, if not worse. Majek needs the urgent help of public spirited individuals and philanhtropisys to be able to put himself together again and take up his musical career once again.As one writer once stated, this is not the time to apportion blames or crucify the once cerebral crooner, for what he has done wrong, it is the time to rescue and rehabilitate him and possibly revive his dead career. We also hope his State government is reading this.
Recently, some musicians raised alarm over the deplorable state of Majek and called on humanitarian organisations and the government to come to his aid. But up till the time of writing this story, nothing has been done. Concerned Nigerians say PMAN should swing into action now and act very fast, instead of waiting for his condition to deteriorate to a point of no remedy as this is the time to show love and care to one of their own, currently on the verge of losing it all.
Apart from his physical appearance, the Prisoner of Conscience crooner's mode of dressing is not as sparkling as it used to be.
Majek was said to have run amock while in the US, an allegation he denied. He was also said to have been hooked on drugs and alcohol, among other things.
Speaking through some of his friends, especially Rutheousman, during his rumoured death, the Rain Maker said ”I am alive, my new album will put the records straight.” That’s over a year now and those who have seen him recently said there’s need to step out and help him.
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-influenced performers. His debut solo album, Prisoner Of Conscience, released in 1988, sold more than 200,000 copies in Nigeria alone.
Born in Benin City, 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 Lagos.
Fashek, whose name means "power of miracles, the high priest does not live", had a very close involvement with the late music icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
It's really sad that Majek, who has brought fame to this country, should be suffering in silence.
ReplyDeleteInstead of talking, please meet appropriate quarters like PMAN, and do something about it.
ReplyDelete