Photo courtesy of the Everett Collection
Numerous music industry media sources (including Billboard Magazine) reported on Wednesday (December 23) that a member of the legendary hip-hop group “Whodini” has passed away.
Founding member John ‘Ecstacy’ Fletcher (pictured) was confirmed dead by his beloved fellow bandmate, Grand Master Dee. Prior to Dee’s public confirmation of Ecstacy’s death, The Roots co-founder and drummer Questlove publicly broke the sad news as well.
“One love to Ecstasy of the legendary #Whodini,” Questlove wrote, according to Variety Magazine.
“This man was legendary and a pivotal member of one of the most legendary groups in hip hop. This is sad, man,” he continued.
Fletcher, Jalil Hutchings, and Drew “Grand Master Dee” Carter all hail from the notorious New York City borough of Brooklyn. The three then soon-to-be-legendary hip-hoppers joined forces in the early 1980s, a quintessential time for their chosen music genre.
Whodini released its first official studio album as a group in 1983 with a full-length LP titled after the name of the band. The lead single was called “Mr. Magic’s Wand” and became available for release a year earlier. The song was a tribute to Mr. Magic, another legendary hip-hop pioneer who made a big name for himself as a radio DJ.
Fletcher and his illustrious bandmates went on to release five more albums from 1984 to 1986, including their platinum-certified classic project called “Escape.” This record spawned major hits, such as “Friends.” Whodini is credited by many black music historians as the group that originally influenced the golden “New Jack Swing” era, which blended rap and R&B.
In particular, Fletcher was known for his unique sense of style and mystical aura onstage. The signature Zorro-styled hat was a part of his entertainment uniform. It etched him distinctly in the minds of fans. He even got praise from his fellow hip-hop stars who shined alongside him in a truly remarkable era for rap music. Whodini’s trailblazing legacy in entertainment is undeniable.
In addition to selling millions of records and performing for landmark music tours across the world, Fletcher and his partners-in-rhyme have also won a number of notable accolades, including an award at the fourth-annual Vh1 Hip Hop Honors in 2007. In 2012, Whodini was inducted in the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
Source: John ‘Ecstacy’ Fletcher of Pioneering Hip-Hop Group Whodini Passes Away at 56
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