Majek on stage

A MILD drama ensued at the Oriental
hotel, Lekki, Lagos, venue of the just
concluded Song Award organised by the
Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON)
last Saturday night when Nigeria’s
reggae legend and guitarist, Majek
Fashek stormed the place to thrill his
fans once again after years of being
missing on stage.
Clad in rugged jersey and jacket with a
brown cap, Majek who has been
incapacitated for a long time now
arrived the venue some minutes to the
end of the event and hell was let loose.
Shouts of ‘the Rainmaker’ rented the
air as he moved from one end of the
expansive hall to another, greeting and
hugging some of his contemporaries whom
he has not seen for years.
Interestingly, Majek’s song, “Send Down
the Rain” won the best song of the 1980s
at the event.
Even though, his sight evoked sympathy,
some of the guests who were familiar
with Majek’s ordeal could not believe
their eyes as the Rainmaker was
virtually in high spirit. Still looking
shabby and frail, Majek bubbled with
life while the event lasted.
*Majek
Upon spotting highlife maestro, Victor
Uwaifo who was one of the dignitaries
that graced the awards night, Majek
immediately prostrated before him and
later, requested to perform on stage.
But the audience would not allow him to
do so as they wanted him to close the
event.
After Iyanya’s ‘erotic performance’,
Majek mounted the stage and took the
audience in a musical voyage. He reeled
out some of his evergreen songs to the
delight of the audience. When he sang ‘
Send Down the Rain’, everyone in the
hall took to the floor as they sang
along with him. His performance that
night reaffirmed his place as a reggae
legend.
Despite missing the stage for a long
time, Majek who waltzed his way into the
hearts of music fans in the late 80s
and early 90s with his debut album
“Prisoner of Conscience” containing the
hit track ‘Send Down The Rain’ released
in 1987, still retains his stagecraft,
vocal dexterity and followership.
Standing ovation however greeted his
‘unexpected’ performance even as he
hinted that his latest album is due to
be released soon.
Meanwhile, the event was organised to
honour musicians, songwriters and
composers who had written and sung great
songs from 1960s till date. Victor
Uwaifo’s “Joromi,” was chosen as the
best song of the 1960s while Prince Nico
Mbarga’s “Sweet Mother” won the 1970s
category.
While Femi Kuti’s “Wonder Wonder”
emerged the best song of the 1990s, for
the new millennium (2000), Kehinde
Akinbode’s “Olorioko” was awarded the
best contemporary Afro song. The
contemporary pop song was awarded to Tu
Face Idibia with “African Queen.”
Sunny Nneji won contemporary highlife
category with “Oruka.” Idibia won
contemporary afro with “Iheneme,” while
Psquare were honoured for their hit song
“Chop My Money” and the best song for
contemporary highlife of the new era was
awarded to Jude Okoye for “Baby Oku.”The
award ceremony was part of activities
marking the COSON week.