By Exclusive: How Low Self-Esteem, Tracy Chapman Led Majek Fashek To Substance Abuse
For the first time, there has been a revelation on how celebrated music icon, Majekodunmi Fashekin (The Rainmaker) became engrossed in substance abuse and actions that almost ruined his three decades of riveting musical dominance.
In a tribute written to mark the demise of Majek- an extraordinary talent, Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin, a music film director, narrated how the actions of Tracy Chapman, an American singer-songwriter, known for her hits “Fast Car” triggered Majek Fashek’s derailment into substance abuse.
In the tribute,” Majek Fashek – my encounter” published on Monday, June 8, 2020, Tunde Alabi – Hundeyin who was contracted by Sony Music to produce the videos of ’Send Down the Rain’ revealed that low self-esteem and disgrace he received from Tracy Chapman led to his action.
He noted that when he met Majek years after their working together, he asked him why he was breaking down and got the shocking answer.
”Let me digress. Years and years later , when Majek had achieved international fame and I began to hear of his substance abuse , I remember seeing him one day in traffic in Maryland. We stopped to greet and I asked why he was breaking down. He narrated to me how he had his first breakthrough which was a concert tour with Tracy Chapman in the US.
”On the first night of the tour he entered the hall from the back with his bell and in handcuffs. He narrated how Chapman ordered her security to stop him and remove the handcuffs. Saying as far as she was concerned the Blackman has broken the cuffs and are free. The sight of the cuffs to her was an insult to her psyche.
”Majek told me that disgrace affected his self-esteem, and it was the first night he had an overdose, ” he wrote in the article.
It will be recalled that when Majek came into the limelight in the mid-80s his trademark was the Cassock, bell and handcuffs. telling him he cannot go onto the stage with what he was famous for because of Tracy Chapman’s orientation on freedom of the Blackman sank Majek leading to his substance abuse.
