On June 1, 2020, the sad news filtered in that one of the greatest
musical exponents Nigeria has ever produced, Majekodunmi Fasheke, well
known around the world as Majek Fashek has died. It was Williams
Shakespeare who wrote that when paupers die, no comets are seen, but
heavens themselves blast forth the death of princes. Since that news
item filtered in, tributes have been pouring in for the rainmaker from
Nigerians from all walks of life. Both the high and the low are
reminiscing on his life and time. It is always so when immortal souls
pass on to heavenly glory. Majekodunmi Fasheke was one of those who
wrote their names on the sand of time. They don’t really pass on,
because, in death, they keep on touching many lives. He was a legend who
through his music inspired many to greatness. It was Williams
Shakespeare who wrote that death is a necessary end that will come when
it will come. The Holy Book enjoins us not to fret about death because
we are not the first or the last to experience it. So when last year it
was rumored that the _mama dede_ crooner was dead, his management
quickly dispersed it as fake news. So when on June 1, 2020, death
finally
came knocking on the door for Majek Fashek, he did not fret but
sojourned to Zion because his work is done on earth. Bob Marley, another
musical legend was he who said that one bright summer morning when man’s
work is done man will go to Zion. So Majekodunmi Fasheke is now in Zion,
the final resting place for all beautiful souls. It will be right to say
that he has passed on from earthly glory to heavily glory. He was
Nigeria’s musical export and his larger than life image looms beyond
Nigeria. Both the young and the old agree that his songs are timeless
which they easily assimilate with. He held a mirror to society. A
cultural exponent of great magnitude, who preached the superiority of
the African culture and against neo-colonialism being suffered by
Africans. Born Majekodunmi Fasheke from Benin, Edo State, his songs took
the airwaves by storm in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Those of us
who were still growing up then was greatly impacted positively. His
songs brought out the humanity in us which is indelible till date. He
tried to correct the wrongs in the society through his songs. In death,
he has simply passed into Nigeria’s folklore. So death, that thief
that came in the middle of the night did not succeed in stealing Majek
Fashek, because his soul lives on and his memory will remain evergreen.
The messages in his songs will continue to prick consciences.
Majek Fashek was a great preacher. He preached about love, motherhood,
kindness, unity in diversity, and above all, Jesus Christ and the
kingdom of God. He preached against racism, corruption, and religious
disharmony. In one of his last songs, he sang that religion is politics.
He was a very religious person. He once revealed that before the hit
song, send down the rain, was produced, he fasted seven days to get the
inspiration for the song. He professed his love for Jesus Christ both in
his songs and in personal interviews. He was a man of God who preached
through his songs. There is no doubt that in his death, Nigeria has lost
one of her illustrious sons. His songs were good to the ear even as they
heal the soul. They were food for the spirit. It was Lucky Dube who sang
that Rastas never die. Majek Fashek did not die. He will continue to
live in the consciousness of generation to generation. To live in the
consciousness of those left behind is not to die. Above all, death
cannot touch the soul which is the real Majek Fashek. Like all legend,
he came in the nick of time and left when the ovation was loudest. His
memory will be everywhere at the same time. He was a simple man. He
never discriminated against anyone. He was a man who saw ahead of his
time. His death is a loss to Edo State and to Nigeria as a whole. He
used his music as a tool to shape society. Albert Einstein, a great
scientist writing the obituary of a friend noted that his friend had not
died, but has simply transformed, and was still very close to him. He
noted that what blurs the closeness is time. Indeed, only time separates
the rainmaker from those who love him. Majekodunmi Fasheke was a man
who took responsibility. He believes in the science of destiny. His
philosophy of life was that we should build ourselves. There is
greatness in everybody. He was a great family man.
Yes, Majek Fashek, was a great family man. This was attested to by his
wife for many years. She attested that he was a good husband and a great
father. This is not a surprise. This is because Majek Fashek preached
family values. He understood his weaknesses and made amends. He
traversed the globe to preach African renaissance. In interviews after
interviews, he kept reminding us of his family heritage. He loved his
family as much as he loved Africa. Before he finally bowed out he tried
to rejig his music career. He tried as much as his failing health could
carry him. It was Dennis Brutus who once said that the memory of me will
be a process of conscious and unconscious exorcism. Indeed, Majek Fashek
songs will continue to be a conscious study in humanitarian and cultural
exorcism and his memory indeed will continue to be a process of both
conscious and unconscious exorcism. Rest in Peace, the rainmaker!
Chimezie Elemuo is a public affairs analyst