By Osagie Alonge
Washed up. Has-been. Down and out. All these phrases have been used to describe Majek Fashek. The gifted musician, whose heydays in the 90’s earned him fans, fame, and fortune, spiraled into obscurity after moving overseas.
Back in Nigeria after over a decade in New York, where he battled with alcohol addiction and a host of other issues, NET spoke to the one-time reggae giant about his outlook on life, his beef with Ras Kimono, why he’s celibate, despite being married, and where he plans to go from here…
What was life like in New York?
New York is hustle, it’s just like Lagos.
Having spent a lot of time in both continents, where do you think you have the most fans right now?
I got fans here (Nigeria) and I got fans over there; the people in US feel my music a lot. I’ve been on international TV lots of times, but I had to leave there because they were sucking my blood. So I ran!
Please tell us about your time in the US…
I’d rather hold that back, I’m just glad I have peace of mind right now; you can have all the money in the world but end up dead or unhappy. Look at Abiola; they gave him tea to drink. I’m not a prisoner of conscience.
Are you back in Nigeria for good or are you going back to the States?
I’m going to be here for a year or two years
What are you working on while you’re here?
Four or five albums. I got a new album out but I’m working on another one to be released in Nigeria. My plan is to work with young Nigerian musicians. For now I’ve got two people in mind; 2face and Black Face.
What should we expect from your album?
Honestly, expect nothing but good music. I’m very confident about that. Do you know why I came back? My mission in Nigeria is to save the ‘Sceptre’.
What is the ‘Sceptre’?
(Laughs) It means ‘Lion of Judah’. I have come to save it because if Nigeria falls, Africa will fall. We need a revolutionary like me, not Ras kimono. Kimono wants to drive a car, wants to buy a house. I am the streets.
So you have beef with Ras Kimono?
Yes, he’s my rival. I’ve gone international; Kimono couldn’t go international because he was too local. Tell Kimono to bring it on!
Let’s talk about the women in your life…
I can’t tell you much about women right now because I’ve been celibate.
Why have you been celibate?
I wanted to be pure. I had to be celibate when I was leaving New York and returning to the Motherland. I only make love to the woman that loves me. I’m celibate.
But are you still with the woman that loves you?
What’s wrong with that? Celibacy has different definitions.
Do you believe in God?
I don’t play with God, why should I. He is the one that helps me. I’m not an atheist
Are you a Christian?
I’m not a Christian, I’m a Rastafarian. Not just any Rastafarian but a Jesus Rastafarian.
Let’s go back to the music. Why have you chosen to play at the New Afrika Shrine?
It’s because Fela’s children respect me. You know that I was their father’s boy.
Tell us about your relationship with Fela.
(Smiles) Fela was a great man. I can’t be like him, Fela would fight any politician. I can’t fight politicians, it’s not easy but I go carry their money waka, I’ll share their money to the poor just like Robin Hood. I won’t fight them, I’ll parley with them. Before Fela died, he prophesized second slavery. What is second slavery? Rich man go dey march poor man. So we have to attack the rich man, because if he takes over then we are in trouble. Me I don’t care, I have come back, if I die in the mission, no problem. I came to save the poor man; the poor man must not slave. I have suffered, they must not. It’s not money I mean, forget about money, I got money. The King of Benin is my uncle.
Do you like Femi Kuti and his music?
Of course I do. Femi is a true musician. I like Lagbaja too. These are great men, often criticized because they are not normal. (Chris Brown’s ‘with you’ comes on in the background) Now that’s music (points to speaker) I was in the studio with this boy once, fantastic singer.
How about our boys here?
Our boys never serious. Our boys are very good but don’t have direction, they are playing calypso music. (Points to the speaker again) Nigerian boys need to study sound. I studied Bob Marley that’s why the Jamaicans like me.
How was your experience when you went to Jamaica?
Jamaicans say they only recognize three musicians – Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy and Majek. They don’t know Kimono.
What is one of your most memorable shows?
I’ve had too many shows to start recounting stories, just too many. I’m a stage performer. I thank God for giving me the blessing. I remember one 2face show in Canada; the producers forced me to open the show, I wasn’t happy because I wanted to perform last. Eventually I got on stage and shut the show down with my performance. When 2face got on stage, the crowd didn’t want to see him anymore.
Watch Majek Fashek perfom on the David Letterman Show
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFQIwqxP_Xk[/youtube]
25 comments
hahah i lyk dis man,straight answers no twisting.The beef with kimono,he said it staright,bring it on.
Yes, is true
Majek!!!!!! Miss u!! U r still needed in d musik industry..
This talks too much. U α̲̅я̩̥̊ε̲̣̣̣̥ too proud majek. How would u say u shot †ђξ crowd Α̲̅Ω̴̩̩̩̥d̶̲̥̅̊ τhεy did Ŋ♉τ want to see 2face. Liar
Ohh, majek, the rain maker, I remember his show in owerri sports stadium 1988, it was exhilarating, luv u man, @ starboi, i dont think you have attended any of majek’s show, if you did, u will not make this remark, majek is simply real to his words
MAJECK::::u r a great musician..buh before storming the music industry with ur music ..i think u should do sumthing about ur looks..ur scaring me
Starboi, I believe you are one of those starters. You’re very naive in musical showmanship to call Majek a lair. On stage Majek is an enigma. The way and manner he gyrate across the stage is phenomenal.
Luv u Majek!!!
Majek s no doubt an enigma b ut I think he should be re schooled on hw 2 talk coz I tnk he lacks dt badly lol
I ve heard majek in d 90’s & he is gud. Those dat talk dwn on him re those dat dosent knw him. We re waiting majek
Majek is good but can’t be compared with 2face
@Richie, you are probably unborn during the time of Fashek. 2face is just a baby in music compaerd with Majek
cocaine is a hell of a drug
I Can never compare a man dat cant perform on stage without drug wit too 2face, mejek should pick his words n leave others alone,no one is contesting here, we dnt need his kind of music in dis dispensation cos I can’t see any good music coming from him, his fans should beter advice him to check his state of health first befor…
I dnt know how to describe people & their reasoning in dis part of d country, criminals, prostitutes, drug addicts, terrorrist are being celebrated.
Majek – love u die, u r too much man. Miss u.
Majek is a great man! His only fuckup is with drugs. Many of us criticize him bt we indulge in drugs or do have a family member or friend who is into it. Musicians of nowadays can sing about nothing bit love, woman etc. No message to pass accross like majek does. Pls listen to good music not “yori yori”
OLAYINKA, THANK U.THE MESSAGE IS KEY.TODAYS ARTIST ARE EITHER PLAYING ROMEO OR JULIET. LISTEN TO MAJEK LISTEN TO GOOD MUSIC! MAJEK IS A MISICIAN AN INSTRUMENTALIST, PLAYS LIVE.2FACE IS A TREASURE BT NOT IN SAME CLASS WITH MF.
Majek, a legend in true words. Many of us have made mistakes too. May God have mercy on us.
luv ya majek
Hi
I remember when my mum told me about Majek Fashek, She said the problem with Majek Fashek is not drug but spiritual, many of his family members have pass away because of Majek Fashek many just try to kill him because they have seen his future before him. My brothers and sisters try and listen his Music and get the messages from there. when his on stage before he start to play there is a sound he always play with talking drum. the meaning of that sound is(what have I done that makes you need me dead) we just feel is just a music but not knowing it was a very big message. the enemy push him to drugs. Majek is out of drugs for a very long time now.
there is still for to cme back to his feet.
thank you all
Majek you are a legend, though i have never attended any of your shows, buh i listen to almost all your musics, especially “Religion na Politics”. Buh in a way, choosing your words might be nice.
Majek fashek is a great man,we need him in nigeria we need him because his song has meaning kudos to you majek send another to nigeria.
believe it or not Majek is the last prophet the world will see, if you want to make heaven follow his songs listen to the lyrics and obey the message. to me he is the best thing to come from Nigeria