He was 56-years-old at the time of death. My condolences to the Fletcher family n friends. Ex you know I love you thank you for every word, every conversation every good time, may your soul Rest In Power.. RIP. It saddens me to learn of his death while I was listening to some of their music. Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in January 1985. My deepest condolences to the Fletcher family! Musician and journalist Questlove broke the news on Wednesday . Today, under the leadership of fourth generation owner Gerald Fukui, families find a sympathetic hand and a compassionate ear, along with knowledgeable and insightful guidance when planning a funeral for a loved one. Heres What Will Happen to Your Fave TV Show If Theres a Writers Strike. John Fletcher of hip-hop group Whodini has passed away, Billboard reports. John (Ecstasy) Fletcher may you rest in sweet peace., I lived at 272 Wyckoff a few floors below his dad and remember having such a crush on him. There were two MCS that directly mentored my calm that summer. 1 was @RealDougEFresh the other was Ecstacy of Whodini. https://twitter.com/Kingjamesworthy/status/1341859401095925765. Great great-grandson, Eric Tanaka, and great great-granddaughter, Sarah Fukui, are following the legacy founder Soji Fukui established over 100 years ago. Help paint a picture of John so that he is always remembered. Whodinis Jalil Hutchins (L) and John Fletcher backstage at an October 20, 1984 show at Chicagos UIC Pavilion. Friends and fans flooded tributes for the late star on social media on Wednesday. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. While much is carefree and enjoyable in Whodinis catalog, the group increasingly became less relevant as time went on. The attempt failed and 8 US servicemen were killed. Upon leaving, a helicopter collided with a transport plane and the men were killed. A clever take on H.G. Following Fletchers recent death, tributes from fans and fellow artists abounded on social media. News of Fletchers passing began circulating on Wednesday (Dec. 23), as luminaries from the music world remembered the artist on social media. Melanie Lynskey, Seth Meyers, and More Support WGA Amid Negotiations. I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL WHEN FRIENDS CAME OUT, I USE TO BLAST THAT SONG, FIVE MINUTES FUNK, WHO HOT, ANOTHER LEGEND GONE, BUT, NEVER FORGOTTEN, REST EASY JOHN. Raymond Boyd/Getty Images. I have known Ecstasy since 1991 and this was such a real shocker to hear of his passing. To your. The most gripping TV drama of the year is happening behind closed doors. The cause of death was unclear at the time of this a 12/10/1959 - 4/22/2023 Born on December 10, 1959, Michael lived in Milwaukee and died at his home on April 22, 2023. Share what John did for a living or if he had a career or profession. I been a fan of Whodini since the group started! In 1976, when he was 52 years old, The United States celebrated the Bicentennial of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. John you have closed your eyes to rest, may you Rest In Peace and LovePrayers to family & friends. A tru MC May Allah help heal your family . Jalil showed up with some guy named Ecstasy. The band have become the very thing their critics accuse them of. in the family tree section to add relatives, or press the "X" So sorry for your loss. So many of us in this culture have taken away from him, Jalil, and Grandmaster Dee..from words and lyrics, to the beats. Our Four Tops. Youre in my thoughts and prayers. Doja Cat Becomes an Actual Cat for Met Gala. They cemented their status on the hip hop scene. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. Whodini rapper John "Ecstasy" Fletcher has died at 56 years old. Whodini Rapper John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher Dead at 56 - TMZ This man was legendary and a pivotal member of one of the most legendary groups in hip hop. Family may he. The cause of death was unclear at the time of this article's publication; he was 56. Roots drummer Questlove was the first to break the news on Wednesday via a social-media post paying tribute to the veteran rapper. Whodini was a big influence on me in the 80s. Rest in Paradise John Esctasy Fletcher. May he RIP. Against the official triumphalism of the day, the greed is good ethos on Wall Street, the scrapping of social reform programs and the explosion of American militarism, it isnt surprising that lighter and more carefree music seemed out of its depth. Thank you for every word, every conversation, every good time, may your soul Rest In Power.. Ex you know I love you thank you for every word, every conversation every good time, may your soul Rest In Power.. Whodini rapper John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher dead at 56 - New York Post Brooklyn-based Whodini which consisted of Fletcher, vocalist Hutchins and DJ Drew Grandmaster Dee Carter formed in the early 80s. The Biography section is collaborative, where we work together to present the facts. John "Ecstasy" Fletcher, rapper and founding member of the pioneering hip-hop group Whodini, has died at . Add John's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood. John Fletcher, best known as Ecstasy from the pioneering rap group Whodini, has died, the groups Grand Master Dee has confirmed. Whodini is primarily known for the string of albums released on Jive Records in the early and mid-1980s. This one hurts. This is sad man.". Rest in paradise John Fletcher, With a heavy heart sending sincere condolences to the family of one of the greatest that ever graced many stages,arena's all around the world. While Whodini largely remained on the nostalgia circuit in recent decades, they did get well-deserved recognition at several points, at VH1s Hip Hop Honors in 2007 and at the Black Music Honors in 2018, where they received the Hip-Hop Icon Award. Rest in power. R.I. P king thanks for making the soundtrack to my youthful summers.. , I grew up listening to everything whodini put out. The African and Native American ancestors have gathered around and chosen this day, during the Winter Solstice, Dec 23rd, 2020 to call upon a most endeared, generous, and sincere soul who graced The Worlds heart through performance, hip-hop, family, children and grandchildren, his family shared in a statement toBillboard. John's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Fletcher family tree. From the haunted house to my favorite one love. John Ecstasy Fletcher, co-founder of the early New York hip-hop group Whodini, who used electro-funk and R&B influences to expand the new genre into a commercially potent force, died Dec. 30 at age 56. 35 on the all-genre Billboard 200. To the family and friends of John Ecstasy Fletcher. His kind words led the tributes dedicated to the Whodini rapper Ecstasy. John Fletcher, who was known by the stage name "Ecstasy" while performing with the early rap group Whodini, has died, according to the group's Grand Master Dee and numerous friends . It sold half a million copies in the first six months. In separate testimonials to Whodinis influence, A Tribe Called Quest rapper Q-Tip called Fletcher one of the most under-appreciated voices in hip-hop, and Public Enemys galvanizing MC Chuck D wrote on Twitter: 1987 I entered the Def Jam tour. John Fletcher Whodini Age. All Rights Reserved.Funeral Home Website by Batesville | Funeral Planning and Grief Resources, Ceremonies as unique as the life you're remembering, Respectfully serving families for generations. Thank you Ecstasy. 12/23/2020. One of the nicest people you would ever meet. Thank you for the road you paved for the thousands and thousands of women and men who want to one day call themselves a rapper. ", Celeb obsessed? RIP to Ecstasy from https://t.co/MiqnKeBFeK of the most under appreciated voices in hip hop. A standard. To be absent the body is to be present with the Lord, so I know I will hear you perform again one day in a better place. But Whodinis breakthrough came the following year with Escape. Produced by Kurtis Blow associate Larry Smith, it included such smashes as Freaks Come Out at Night and the cynical Friends, which is one of the most sampled songs in hip-hop, appearing in tracks by Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Nas and more than 150 others. Rest easy sir. This is sad man., My God, this one hurts me so bad,I cant even believe Im posting this, Jermaine Dupri tweeted along with a video of a young Ecstasy. Where we share what we remember to make discoveries and meaningful connections with others. I am so sorry for your loss. Bookmark. Being the biggest whodini fan ever this one really hurts. May Almighty God in the Heavens comfort your hearts with peace and loving kindness as you cope with this precious loss in your lives. Add family and friends whose lives he impacted. Raymond Boyd/Getty Images. Greg Warren dared to go where no comedian has gone before. John "Ectasy" and Fletcher and Whodini is my favorite rap artist of all time. Whodini was one of the first rap groups to add R&B twist to their music, thus laying the foundation for a new genre. Did John finish grade school, get a GED, go to high school, get a college degree or masters? Fletcher co-founded Whodini alongside Jalil Hutchins in 1982 four years prior to when the hip-hop duo transformed into a trio with the help of DJ Grandmaster Dee.. In the period immediately preceding the emergence of intricate verbal technicians such as Rakim (William Michael Griffin) and Big Daddy Kane (Antonio Hardy), Ecstasy, with his self-assured and cool swagger, provided a boost to the somewhat stiff rhyme patterns of the late 1970s and early 80s. Vocalist and co-founder of the hip hop group Whodini which formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1982. God will bind up the broken hearted and comfort all who mourn. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. John "Ecstasy" Fletcher of Whodini Passes Away at 56 - The Source My deepset condolences to your family. Select the next to any field to update. You will be greatly missed! Caring: It's Our Way of Life. Did John serve in the military or did a war or conflict interfere with his life? Rap Pioneer John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher Of Whodini Dies at 56 Select "Add Memory" to share stories and photos. Roots drummer . Whodini Member John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher Dead at 56 - Vulture Nelson George (@nelsongeorge) December 23, 2020, #RIPecstasy to the family & friends of the legendary Ecstasy from the landmark hiphop crew #Whodini. He admitted Thinking Out Loud was actually inspired by Van Morrison, not Marvin Gaye. John Fletcher of hip-hop trio Whodinidied on Wednesday (Dec. 23), Billboardcan confirm. Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Whodinis final album Six (So So Def, 1996) sought to adapt itself to this harder style, with generally weak results. Ecstasy from Whodini performs at the U.I.C. Luke Stulga breaks slump, hits for cycle as St. Laurence stymies Mount Carmel. My deepest condolences. Rest in Peace Mr. Fletcher. Everett. Thank you for all the good music and memories. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. [Jive] had no money and no contract for him, but [we] threw the rule book out the window when we heard his verse and his voice, wrote Barry Weiss, the Jive executive who signed them. He was 56 years old. Many of Whodinis innovations, such as using vocal harmonies in verses and choruses, were attributed in particular to Fletcher. Rest in peace Ecstasy. There will never be another,Jalil of Whodini added. Rapper. Now, the family of the late 56-year-old pioneer has released an official statement about his passing. I love all 3 members of Whodini. 810 likes, 25 comments - Unk (@nichebender) on Instagram: "RIP John Fletcher (aka Ecstasy) of Whodini Hip Hop Royalty " Blogs; Online will; Shop. He was faithful to the group to this day he'd always be around to be interviewed,when whodini had a live concert to attend I still followed them until this day thats how I know this. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The first hip hop show I ever attended was the Fresh Fest at the Greensboro Coliseum with Run DMC, Fat Boys, and Whodini. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Phonte (@phontigallo) December 23, 2020, Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher, of the pioneering rap group Whodini, dies at To the family my condolences and prayers of comfort and peace. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Condolences and prayers to the family and friends John "Ecstasy" Fletcher. Jalil Hutchins (left) and John Fletcher (aka Ecstasy) in 1984 Paul Natkin/Getty Images. My condolences to the love ones, family, and friends of John Fletcher. We both worked out at the same gym in College Park, Ga. La Fitness.. he was very down to earth and a good person all around. Please send love and prayers to our family, and with open hearts we ask the ancestors to cover his soul in peace and tranquility. 'Freaks' and 'friends' pay tribute to Whodini rapper John 'Ecstasy You will be truly missed! A Huge Fan. Rest in peace Ecstasy. John "Ecstasy" Fletcher (1964-2020) - Find a Grave Memorial We invite you to share condolences for John Fletcher in our Guest Book. You were amazing. One love to Ecstasy of the legendary #Whodini, he wrote. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Personality, humor and hooks. John Fletcher of hip-hop trio Whodini died on Wednesday (Dec. 23 . One love. All Rights Reserved. Fletcher cofounded Whodini in Brooklyn in 1982 with singer-rapper Hutchins (DJ Drew Grandmaster Dee Carter joined later). The average age of It was a year long celebration, with the biggest events taking place on July 4th. May God bless his family- twin brother; and rest his soul.. RIP John Fletcher! The artist, known by his stage name Ecstasy and recognizable from his signature Zorro hat, was 56. I am fifty years old, so this is shocking. Fletcher, who went by the stage name "Ecstasy," was 56 years old. 1,404 death records. John Fletcher, a.k.a. Ecstasy of the Group Whodini, Dies at 56 It has warmed and healed my heart and soul since before 1986 (I was in junior high school) until now and will forever. [In] 1987 I entered the Def Jam tour, wrote Chuck D of Public Enemy. But Whodinis breakthrough came the following year with Escape. Produced by Kurtis Blow associate Larry Smith, it included such smashes as Freaks Come Out at Night and the cynical Friends, which is one of the most sampled songs in hip-hop, appearing in tracks by Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Tupac and more than 150 others. The group signed to the influential London-based label Jive and released what was arguably the first-ever hip-hop music video for its single Magics Wand, which hit No. We will love you and miss you always. One was Doug E. Fresh and the other was Ecstasy of Whodini. Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in January 1985. Whodini my favorite rap group for years and I never could find that zorro hat ! The first hip hop show I ever attended was the Fresh Fest at the Greensboro Coliseum with Run DMC, Fat Boys, and Whodini. John's death was announced Wednesday by Questlove, who . Condolences to his fam , 1987 I entered the @Defjam tour w PE. May your spirit live on, forever.. We'll connect you with others who know the person you follow. 35 and 30, respectively. The trio making up Whodini, which included lyricist Jalil Hutchins and Grandmaster . Thank you for all the music, you'll be missed!!! Obituaries in Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel