Entertainment
Late reggae legend Majek Fashek battled alcoholism, lived in denial
A United States-based Nigerian journalist and author, Azuka Jebose, speaks about his latest book on the late reggae superstar, Majek Fashek, and other issues
What inspired you to write the book, ‘Majek Fashek: Before and After The Rain’?
The inspiration to write this book came from the subject, Majek Fashek. My privileged relationship with him traced back to his days at Tabansi Records as an artiste and repertoire manager, alongside him being the lead guitarist and front man for the Jahstix Reggae Band in the 1980s, was a fantastic inspiration (for this book). I needed to capture those magical and complex moments with Majek and the Nigerian music scenes (back) then. I was a young freelance entertainment reporter, mostly a stringer for the PUNCH Entertainment Desk, anchored by my mentor, Ladi Ayodeji. A few years later, I became the entertainment editor of the Saturday Highlife pages and the entertainment editor of The PUNCH.
I thought if I had to write the memoir of one of the most iconic, yet, eccentric and brilliant musicians of my generation, I needed to go deeper into Nigeria’s music scenes before Majek, especially after the Civil War in the early 1970s and through the 1980s. This was the period when Majek manifested as an amazing singer, songwriter, guitarist, and frontman for a unique first Nigerian reggae music band with an engaging band name: Jahstix. So, ‘Majek Fashek Before and After the Rain’ is perhaps one of the few Nigerian books that explored the history of Nigerian music and entertainment scenes after the war.
How would you describe your relationship with the late singer?
My relationship with him was at times complicated and most times fascinating, especially during our early years as we were both struggling to make impacts in our different professions. Majek and I usually met at Tabansi Records back in the days at Oregun and Alausa junction (in Lagos) where many young artistes were waiting to be discovered, and I was nosing for fresh exclusive entertainment news and gossip. We, most times, ended up inside Goddy Tabansi’s (the then director-general of Tabansi Records) office and just sat, jived and listened to new demo tapes he produced for other young aspiring acts then such as Peterside Otong, Charlie Boy, Jide Obi, and Mike Okri, who were also always around us, including Stella Monye.
Felix Lebarty was a widely respected superstar, yet he came around and hung out with us. Some years later, after the release of Majek’s debut album, ‘Prisoner of Conscience’, which featured the monumental single hit, ‘Send Down the Rain’, our relationship soured. I watched his charming character and humanity charred by new success and management. I was a reporter and reported on some of those shenanigans, and my reports and gossip displeased him.
Did you get the consent of Majek’s family before writing a book on him?
No, I did not get the consent of the family. I didn’t need any family consent to write about my privileged experiences with a late iconic reggae music legend. What you will read in ‘Majek Fashek Before and After the Rain’ is a personal cherished experience I had with him. I have every right to write about my experiences with Majek. From his explosive arrival on the music scene to becoming an undisputed king of Nigerian reggae music, Majek’s life was a symphony of highs and lows. Unveiling the untold story of a musical maverick, I delved into the glory days when his resonant voice could heal wounds and mend souls. But beneath the spotlight, a relentless battle raged within him.
This memoir takes an unflinching look at the demons that haunted Majek – his tumultuous struggles with alcoholism and a hidden battle with undiagnosed schizophrenia. He fought not only for his place in the music world but also for his sanity.
In ‘Before and After the Rain’, I walked with Majek through the peaks and valleys of his life, from the euphoria of performing on the world stage, to the dark abyss of self-doubt and addiction. This is an intimate and breathtaking account that pulls no punches, revealing the human behind the legend. I was in the front row of those moments in the United States of America with him. I don’t need anyone’s approval to tell my story.
What do you hope to achieve with this work?
I hope it documents the early history of Nigerian music and also about one of its greatest musicians – Majek Fashek. I would also hope it triggers national conversations regarding mental health diseases such as schizophrenia (a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves).
Majek had a series of struggles with his health as he was said to be addicted to drugs. In what ways did you help him in this regard?
Majek was an alcoholic. I tried so many times to get him into rehabilitation, but he was always in denial. There is nothing anyone can do to addicts. The only person that can help an addict is the addict (himself). The addict has to recognise that he or she is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and reach out for help. Otherwise, we are all wasting our time trying to force an unwilling addict into any rehabilitation treatment. Most of my fights with Majek came from my various appeals to him to seek intervention. You will read the most brazen attempt in the book and how he was conned out of it.
Is the book simply for online or is there a plan for the hard copy, and how do you intend to get more readers to buy it?
The book shall be first available as an E-book on Amazon, Kindle and Okada on November 18, 2023. Amazon and Kindle (will) make available hard copy orders too.
Do you intend to give any part of the proceeds from the book to Majek’s family?
No. I do not.
What were the challenges you faced while writing the book and how did you overcome them?
The initial reactions were negative from a few members of his family and friends who think they are entitled to the Majek story. They were scared of the other side of Majek, but his life and challenges were no secrets.
Aside from this work, what are your other works?
I am a storyteller. I have written two fictional books – ‘Waiting for my Husband to Die’ and ‘Victims of the City’.
Can you say something about your family, educational and career trajectory?
I am married. We (my wife and I) are blessed with five girls and a son. My oldest daughter is 29 years old and she is a researcher. I migrated to the USA in 1989 and live in North Carolina, where I manage my business. I have lived here since 1990 and attended the Friday Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the early 1990s.
What are the memorable moments you had with Majek?
Every moment spent with Majek was complexly memorable. He was quite a unique and charming character. I used to call him John the Baptist.
Who were the people who made this book a success?
The people who made this book a success included my niece, Temitope Marcus, who edited the last script of the book and assumed the role of the publisher. She’s responsible for the book’s publication and everything else. She’s been an amazing believer in this project. My secondary school classmate, Dr Nduka Otiono, pushed for this book to be written even while I was being blasted by COVID-19 in 2020. My brother, Uzor Uzoatu; veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo; the awesome Jahstix members – Black O’Rice and Amos McCroy; Emma Ogosi, Laolu Akins and Femi Akintunde-Johnson also contributed to the success of the book.
Source: PUNCH
By Chinedu Adonu
ENUGU — Nollywood movie, Ikenga: The Last Festival, has grossed more than N100 million in cinema revenue within one month of its release, its Executive Producer, Anita Odiakaose, has disclosed.
Odiakaose made the disclosure on Tuesday in Enugu at a media briefing organised to celebrate the film’s commercial success and highlight its role in promoting Igbo language, culture and heritage.
According to her, Ikenga opened in cinemas nationwide on August 21 and crossed the N100 million mark while still running in cinemas.
She said the movie was, as of Saturday, recognised as the highest-grossing Igbo film in West Africa, describing the feat as a major milestone for culturally driven Nigerian cinema.
Odiakaose said the movie was deliberately produced to promote Igbo identity, language, traditions and cultural heritage through entertainment.
She explained that the filmmakers blended fiction and non-fiction with an Igbo cultural festival and a love story to create a production capable of attracting both local and international audiences.
“About 90 per cent of the language in the movie is Igbo, with subtitles, while about 90 per cent of the cast and crew are Igbo,” she said.
The film features veteran and contemporary Nollywood actors, including Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Zubby Michael, Jidekene, Beverly Osu and others.
The producer said the film’s performance had demonstrated that audiences were interested in stories that reflected their culture and identity.
She, however, expressed concern over the declining use of the Igbo language, noting that even she could not speak Igbo fluently despite being an Igbo woman.
Odiakaose challenged filmmakers to become more deliberate in promoting indigenous languages and cultural values through their productions.
She said, “We need to do more as filmmakers. We need to be deliberate about using Igbo names, Igbo language and Igbo cultural elements in our films.”
According to her, culturally rooted films could also help Nigerians in the diaspora reconnect with their heritage and expose younger generations to their language, traditions and cultural practices.
Odiakaose disclosed that Ikenga was not her first production, saying she had produced about 70 films for YouTube and other platforms, but that the movie marked her first cinema production.
She said the success of the film had encouraged the production team to take it beyond Nigeria, revealing that international screenings were being planned for the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
She disclosed that the United States premiere was scheduled for October 30, while screenings in the UK and Canada were planned for November and December respectively.
Odiakaose said the commercial performance of Ikenga had shown that films built around indigenous culture could attract large audiences while also generating substantial revenue in the cinema market.
Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in an Instagram post on Wednesday, describing him as “The Lion of Lufodo.”
Olusoji said the family was grateful to God for the life their father lived and appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy.
Olu Jacobs was one of Nigeria’s most respected veteran actors, with a career spanning theatre, television and film.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He began his acting career in British television before featuring in international productions and later returning to Nigeria, where he established himself as a major figure in the country’s film industry.
He appeared in numerous Nigerian films and was recognised with several industry honours, including the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival.
Jacobs was also involved in film production and the development of the performing arts in Nigeria. Alongside his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, he was associated with the Lufodo Group.
His death marks the loss of one of the most recognisable figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Nigerian dancer and entertainer Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, has been granted bail in the United Kingdom ahead of his scheduled appearance at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
According to court information, Odinaka was granted bail on September 11, with a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for September 15.
“The Defendant has been granted bail on the 11th September 2026,” the court stated, adding that “There is a plea and trial preparation hearing on the 15th September 2026.”
The bail decision clarifies the entertainer’s current custody status following earlier reports about his release.
However, the granting of bail does not mean the criminal proceedings have been discontinued or that the allegations against him have been resolved.
The Crown Prosecution Service had previously confirmed that the case remained active and that Odinaka was due to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Odinaka is facing five sexual offence charges, including attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.
He has denied the allegations and maintained his innocence. The charges remain before the court and have not been determined.
In a video shared on Instagram by social commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, Poco Lee said he remained confident because he knew he had not committed the alleged offences.
He said: “If I were inside there and I did what I was accused of, I would have felt I was paying for my sins, but since I knew I didn’t do what I was accused of, my mind is pure.”
The case followed Poco Lee’s visit to the UK for the Davido and Friends concert at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14, 2026.
Poco Lee has not been convicted of any offence. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed a long-standing relationship between his family and Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
Speaking in a recent interview, Davido said Dangote personally drove his mother home from the hospital after she gave birth to him.
“Aliko Dangote drove my mom home from the hospital when she gave birth to me.”
Davido explained that Dangote has maintained a close relationship with his family for decades, particularly with his father, businessman Adedeji Adeleke.
According to the singer, Dangote has also offered him financial advice since he was a child, repeatedly encouraging him to save and manage his money wisely.
“Anytime I see him, he still tells me, ‘David, save your money.’ He’s been saying that since I was a baby.”
The singer said the billionaire’s advice has remained valuable throughout his career in the entertainment industry.
Davido also spoke about his perception of wealthy people, saying billionaires are ordinary people despite the enormous wealth they possess and that their private lifestyles are often different from how the public imagines them.
He described his relationship with Dangote as one that dates back to his childhood and continues to this day.
AGULU CHIMEZIE Releases New Single Titled “NNE AGULU BIA”
Artist: Agulu Chimezie
Real Name: Chimezie Ibezim
Song Title: Nne Agulu Bia
Producer: Mr Wanga
Location: Nigeria
Native: Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria
Nigerian recording artist Agulu Chimezie, born Chimezie Ibezim, has released his latest song titled “Nne Agulu Bia.” The new release adds to the growing catalogue of the talented artist, who has previously released several songs and continues to make his voice heard through music.
Nne Agulu Bia is a song that proudly reflects the artist’s connection to Agulu in Anambra State, celebrating his roots, identity, culture and the spirit of his people.
The song which storyline reflects to how our Ancestor traveled from Agulu to foreign land and later came back home peacefully
The song was produced by talented music producer Mr Wanga, bringing together a distinctive sound and musical production that complements Agulu Chimezie’s artistic style.
With several songs already to his name, Agulu Chimezie is steadily building his presence in the Nigerian music scene, using his music to connect with listeners both at home and beyond.
“Nne Agulu Bia” is now available on various digital music platforms, giving fans and music lovers the opportunity to stream and enjoy the latest release.
About Agulu Chimezie
Agulu Chimezie, whose real name is Chimezie Ibezim, is a Nigerian artist and a native of Agulu, Anambra State. Through his music, he continues to showcase his creativity while representing his roots and contributing to the growth of Nigerian music.
Listen, Stream & Support
Music lovers are encouraged to search for Agulu Chimezie – “Nne Agulu Bia” on major digital music platforms, stream the song, share it with friends and family, and support the artist by following his musical journey.
Agulu Chimezie — “Nne Agulu Bia”
Produced by Mr Wanga
Out Now on Digital Platforms.
DOWNLOAD AND ENJOY BELOW 👇
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