Majek Fashek

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Born to an Edo mother and a Yoruba father, Majekodumni Fasheke - popularly known as Majek Fashek - is a top Nigerian reggae singer and guitarist. Various translations of his name include "high priest who does not lie", "powers of miracles" and "the high priest does not live". He claims he was born with dreadlocks, the holy hairstyle of Rastafarian's. Fashek grew up in the hitherland of Benin City where he had a very tough childhood, but found solace along with his mother, brother and sister, who were all staunch members of the 'Aladura' church.

Fashek first gained national fame on a television show in the early 1980's as a member of Benin-based reggae group Jastix. His bandmates included Ras Kimono and Amos McRoy Gregg. They toured for many years with fellow reggae group The Mandators. In 1988, shortly after Jastix disbanded, he began a solo career and quickly became the biggest reggae singer in the country. His song Send Down The Rain was a huge hit, and he won six awards at the PMAN Music Awards ceremony. After leaving Tabansi Records, he was signed to CBS Nigeria in the early ninties before moving to Island Records' Mango imprint ,a label more accustomed to marketing reggae internationally. His first album for the company included a cover version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song". In 1990 he was signed by Jimmy Iovine to Interscope Records and released the critically acclaimed cd "Spirit Of Love" produced by Little Steven (Van Zandt). He has recorded several albums for various labels since, including Rainmaker for Tuff Gong (1997) and Little Patience for Coral (2004). Flame Tree released The Best of Majek Fashek in 1994.

Fashek is one of the increasing number of African artists to be drawn to the music of the Caribbean, specifically reggae, rather than indigenous hybrids such as fuji, juju or highlife. Having grown up in a fervently religious and musical family, he was exposed to the imported sounds of Bob Marley at an early age, alongside the innovations of local stars such as Fela Kuti.

Fashek's major influences are Bob Marley (whom he strongly resembles vocally), Fela Kuti and Jimi Hendrix.

Various press:

"Majek Fashek and the Prisoners of Conscious (Interscope): Singer and guitarist Fashek is a star in his native Nigeria for reasons that are entirely apparent on this record. Producer Steve Van Zandt - probably still best known for his years as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band - brought a great ear and some much appreciated hard-guitar smarts to the studio, and the result is that rarity, a rock-ethnic fusion project that really rocks. Fashek's vocal and lyrical resemblance to the late Bob Marley is both eerie and earned and there's nothing received about the beat his band radiates either. Those normally resistant to Afro grooves should audit this item immediately." - Kurt Loder, Rolling Stone

"Majek Fashek, the Nigerian rocker who performed at Tramps on Thursday night is ambitious enough to eye the legacy of Bob Marley. He clearly wants to reach an international audience, presenting himself as a third world voice battling oppression. In Nigeria, his concerts already fill stadiums. From an American perspective, he is a charismatic, accomplished performer with a gift for catchy riffs and a promising hybrid style, one that started in standard reggae but has added the bustling cross-rhythms of Nigerian juju and a touch of hard rock." - Jon Pareles, New York Times, Dec. 5, 1990.

"Since the passing of Bob Marley, reggae has been searching for its great black hope. It may have found one in Majek Fashek, even if the guy hails not from Jamaica but Nigeria. No matter. Fashek makes the most melodic reggae of now. Ziggy may be Bob Marley's biological son, but Majek Fashek is his spiritual heir. In terms of vocal tone, Fashek is Marley's spitting image, though he grooves on inflections of his own. His first US album, 'Spirit of Love,' recalls the breathtaking melodies and deep grooves of Marley and his music is gorgeously hypnotic, at times approaching the elegant beauty of prime Van Morrison. For those who like their reggae sweetened with pop-rock craft, this is one of the prettiest albums now out." - Jim Farber, New York Daily News, Jan. 19, 1992

"Majek Fashek: Spirit of Love (Interscope). Well, as Bob Marley used to sing, 'one love, one heart.' Here's a wonderful, soulful singer from Nigeria who's a master of those gentle African rhythms from with Paul Simon drew such inspirations. Fashek sounds distinctly Jamaican into the bargain - not unlike Marley, in fact - and writes funky tunes with a spry political spirit and a winning sense of humor." - Time Magazine, Dec, 2, 1991.by Ferrari Idahosa (Spain).