Entertainment
Majek Fashek (1963-2020): The Triumphs, the Storm, the Travails
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By Eric Elezuo
Could you believe that even age mates of late Majek Fashek believed he was 71 years, and was born in 1949. They claimed that was what the official record said…such naivety. One day, someone would tell them something different from their names, and they will believe because one supposedly ‘impeccable’ source has erroneously written it. I still wonder what we do with our brains, even with claims that we have been to school. Well, that is a story for another day!
He was only 25 years in 1988 when his glory filled not only the airwaves but the nook and crannies of the Nigerian music and entertainment circle. It didn’t stop there, Majekodunmi Fasheke, known as Majek Fashek for short, took his epic arrival into stardom more than a niche further, covering the world with his own form of ‘Righteousness’. He dished out hits after hits, making him the epicentre of Reggae music in Nigeria, competing favourably with the likes of Alpha Blonde and Lucky Dube in the Africa continent, and world icons like Robert Nester Marley, Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaac and many more. New York Daily News hailed him as the spiritual heir to Bob Marley.
Majek Fashek occupied the late 80s and early 90s like a colossus, as his hit album, Prisoner of Conscience with the track ‘Send Down the Rain’, became a national anthem of some sort. Every child could sing the song; it was on the lips of every adult. And of course, it was interwoven with childlike chorus which heralds the arrival of mothers after a long absence. It was made for all ages; a product of long term planing. More so, its prophetic orientation and spiritual undertone made it a toast for all season.
In a 2013, when Fashek’s former bandmate and cousin, Amos McRoy, granted an interview with now defunct Entertainment Express Newspaper, he claimed that the singer told him the song ‘Send Down The Rain’ had a spiritual force behind it.
“That was one of the things he told me in Cote d’Ivoire. Based on what he told me, I think he ‘crossed the line’ before he released the album,” McRoy said in that interview.
“In Cote d’Ivoire, I asked him certain questions. His reply was: ‘Amos, are you that naive? I released Send Down The Rain, everywhere that song was played, rain must fall. Even in summer while we were on US tour, I played Send Down The Rain and rain fell. I released Free Mandela and that month Mandela was released. I did fire (Majek Beware) the week that record was released was the week the Rodney King incident happened. That song, Fire o! Fire o! was played for almost two months in all the TV and radio stations in Los Angeles during that Rodney King episode. So, are you that naive? Don’t you reason?
He practically started a musical revolution in 1988, and by 1989, he carted away six awards at the PMAN Awards including two of the most important nominations; the prestigious Album of the Year and Song of the Year categories. His Send Down the Rain competed in the category of millennial hits such as Nico Mbago’s Sweet Mother and Onyeka Onwenu’s One Love in not only national, but international appeals.
One thing is obvious, no Nigerian song has been so mythologized as ‘Send Down the Rain’ and by extension, Holy Spirit. He composed every song personally, and gave Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ a touch of excellence when he remixed it. No one can deny that Fashek was a legend. A typical example of one who came during his time, saw and conquered. Many believed he had room for more conquest if not for the self-destructive mode he put himself. Reports had it that he dabbled into spiritism, not drug use, and ruined a God-given career.
This as much was confirmed by McRoy thus:
“Truth is Majek’s problem is spiritual. Majek strayed into spiritism.
“Majek’s problem is not drug-related. He took to alcoholism to get over his real problem. Failing to keep the rules of whatever he delved into, he started to hallucinate. He started seeing things. For instance, if he was in a room, he would tell you ‘open the door, open the window’. If you tell him the air condition is on, he would say “Can’t you see them spirits; you want to trap the spirits. Men, let the spirits move around.”
In the peak of his career in 1991, Fashek visited New York for the first time, and that was when he released the track ‘Mashek Fashek Inna New York’. The excited attached to the song would reveal his clear human nature, as he x-rayed life in the city that never sleeps in comparison to what is obtainable in other cities of the world. He was practically surprised to see that there were homeless people, beggars and destitute in New York.
South African Singer, Tyla has cancelled her planned concert in Lagos after backlash from Nigerians over the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans living in South Africa.
Rather than directly address the uproar over the planned concert and the opposition from notable Nigerians like social media activist, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly called, VeryDarkMan, and other Nigerians on social media, the South African singer chose to remove Lagos from the list of cities she is scheduled to visit during her A-Pop World tour.
Social media influencer, VeryDarkMan, in a video post, warned the singer and the promoters of her concert against bringing the singer to Lagos amidst the ongoing xenophobic attacks that has led to the death of many Nigerians living in the rainbow country.
He also criticised Tyla for her silence in the face of the deadly attacks.
In his video post, VDM stated: “There will be no Tyla concert in Nigeria. It is not happening. This is a warning to the organizers and the show promoters bringing Tyla to Nigeria. That show is not happening.
“Not when Chidinma Adetshina is battling deportation in South African court. Now you want to bring in Tyla and sell tickets so that Tyla will make money off Nigerians. The same Nigerians that South Africans hate so much.
“This is a warning to you, if you go ahead with that show, we will come to the venue and we will bring the show down.”
Other notable Nigerians on social media have also called for a total boycott of the concert to retaliate the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that the 11th season of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) will premiere on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and the winner to receive a record-breaking grand prize of N160 million.
The announcement was made during a press briefing on Wednesday, and organisers said the prize package, comprising N100 million in cash and a brand-new SUV, is the highest in the reality show’s history.
The launch show will air from 7pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. The 24-hour live channel will be available on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, while viewers can also watch via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
Preparations for the new season began earlier this year with physical auditions held from May 22 to 24 in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu after shortlisted applicants were invited to participate.
Participation was free, with eligibility limited to individuals aged 21 years and above who possessed valid means of identification.
The upcoming edition follows the conclusion of Season 10 on October 5, 2025, when Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, emerged winner after defeating 28 other contestants. Imisi received a prize package worth N150 million, comprising N80 million in cash and an SUV.
Speaking on the new season, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said the show would continue to build on its success.
“Big Brother Naija has consistently redefined entertainment in Africa by bringing together authentic storytelling, compelling personalities and moments that resonate with millions of viewers.
“Season 11 builds on that legacy with even bigger stakes, fresh twists and an exciting mix of housemates that will keep audiences engaged from premiere night through to the finale.”
The organisers also announced a new lineup of sponsors, with betPawa joining Big Brother Naija as the headline sponsor.
Commenting on the partnership, Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR, betPawa, said: “At betPawa, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together through the things they are passionate about.
“Big Brother Naija is one of Africa’s most celebrated entertainment properties, and we are proud to come on board as Headline Sponsor for Season 11. We look forward to rewarding fans, deepening engagement throughout the season and delivering exciting experiences that complement the energy and excitement of the show.”
Guinness returns as the Gold Sponsor, while Minimie joins as an Associate Sponsor.
On the partnerships, Babatunde said: “We are delighted to welcome betPawa as our Headline Sponsor alongside Guinness and Minimie, whose partnership reflects the enduring value and impact of the Big Brother Naija platform.”
Since its return in 2017, Big Brother Naija has grown beyond a reality television programme into one of Africa’s biggest entertainment franchises, producing household names, creating jobs across the creative industry and shaping popular culture.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return as host for Season 11, with organisers promising new twists, strategic gameplay, competitive tasks and entertaining challenges throughout the season.
Eligible subscribers will be able to vote through the MyDStv and MyGOtv self-service apps. Viewers can also increase their voting benefits by upgrading their subscription packages or renewing for multiple months.
Anticipation for Big Brother Naija is building up again after organisers teased the return of the reality show for its 11th season, prompting fans to call for an official premiere date.
In a post shared across the show’s social media platforms on Sunday, the organisers announced: “A new chapter begins, and this time, everything is for the taking. #BBNaija season 11 is coming soon.”
The teaser arrives months after the conclusion of Season 10, which ended with Imisi Ayanwale clinching the grand prize of N150 million.
The franchise has stayed in the spotlight since the Season 10 reunion, aired on June 8, when all 29 former housemates reconvened to address controversies that defined the season.
In preparation for the new edition, organisers said auditions have been completed.
The application portal opened in May, followed by physical auditions in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.
