John Fletcher, the co-founder of the pioneering rap group Whodini, has died.
What We Know:
- On Wednesday, December 23rd, Fletcher’s death was confirmed by Whodini group member Grand Master Dee. Roots drummer Questlove also broke the news to fans via social media writing, “One Love to Ecstasy of the Legendary #Whodini. This man was legendary and a pivotal member of one of the most legendary groups in hip hop. This is sad man.”
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- According to the LA Times, the rapper was born in Brooklyn and grew up in the Wyckoff projects. He joined Whodini in the late ’70s alongside Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kurtis Blow. The article described Whodini’s sound as “synth-driven with a hook-heavy mix of singing and rapping [that] would influence generations of acts and become prime sample material for Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Nipsey Hussle and Nas.”
- Fletcher’s first breakthrough with Whodini came with their 1984 album Escape. The group’s most iconic songs included “Magic’s Wand,” “Freaks Come Out at Night,” and one of the most sampled songs in hip-hop history titled “Friends”.
- In the years to come, Whodini went on to receive their recognition as multi-platinum artists at VH1’s Hip Hop Honors in 2007 and at the Black Music Honors in 2018, where they received the Hip-Hop Icon Award.
- Fletcher’s daughter, Jonnelle Fletcher, said in her statement that “John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher was a beloved man, the life partner to Deltonia and ex-husband to Carla, twin brother to Joseph, artist, friend, and lifetime performing partner to the Legendary Jalil of Whodini.”
- Fletcher was 56 at the time of his death. His cause of death has not been disclosed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Fletcher’s family and the members of Whodini.
