I try to be unique. The next wave of rappers, like Public Enemys Chuck D, acknowledged Fletchers tutelage and influence. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. On Wednesday, Questlove announced the death of John "Ecstasy" Fletcher, a co-founding member of the New York City hip-hop group Whodini. The group received the Hip Hop Icon Award at the third annual Black Music Honors in 2018. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. UPDATE (Dec. 24): On Wednesday evening (Dec. 23), a rep for John "Ecstasy" Fletcher of Whodini provided a statement to XXL from the late rapper's family regarding the rapper's passing. Did you encounter any technical issues? Portrait of members of the American Hip-hop group Whodini, Jalil Hutchins (left) and John Fletcher (aka Ecstasy) as they pose backstage at the UIC Pavilion, Chicago on October 20, 1984. GoFundMe account established to pay for Whodini member Ecstasy's funeral Succession Recap: Logan Roy Makes Shock Return, Shiv and Tom Get Kinky Courtesy Everett Collection UPDATED: John Fletcher, best known as Ecstasy from the pioneering rap group Whodini, has died, the group's Grand Master Dee has confirmed. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. You can always change this later in your Account settings. But I heard somebody rap one day and I said to myself, I can do that.. Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire. 87 on the Hot 100, though Escape hit No. My sincerest condolences to his family and the Whodini Family as a whole. Try again later. Dr. Frances Toni Draper announces retirement from pastorship at Freedom Temple AME Zion Church, 130 years of excellence: AFRO Gala set to kick anniversary celebration into high gear. John "Ecstasy" Fletcher of Whodini performs in December 1, 2017, in Anaheim, California. NNPA Newswire Correspondent. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Try again later. Fletchers cause of death hasnt been reported but many are heartbroken that one of raps early stars is gone. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Legendary producer Jermaine Dupri, was also introduced to the music world on this tour as he started out as a dancer for Whodini during their live performances. 'Freaks' and 'friends' pay tribute to Whodini rapper John 'Ecstasy Escape contained the songs that would become Whodinis seminal hits, notably Friends and Five Minutes of Funk (released as flip sides on the same 12-inch single) and Freaks Come Out at Night., Friends, a skeptical storytelling song about deceit, was a smash in its own right and had a robust afterlife as sample material, most notably on Nas and Lauryn Hills If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)., Five Minutes of Funk which would become even more widely known as the theme music for the long-running hip-hop video show Video Music Box deployed a clever countdown motif woven through the lyrics. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fletcher served as co-vocalist in the group, with the rapper notably appearing onstage with his trademark Zorro-like hat. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. 12/23/2020. Too many hits! The groundbreaking group was responsible for hits like Friends, Five Minutes of Funk and One Love. Ecstasy was known for his trademark Zorro style hat as well. Most of the groups earliest material was recorded in London when Mr. Fletcher was fresh out of high school. John Beamon Fletcher Jr. was born on June 7, 1964, in Brooklyn to John and Mary Fletcher and grew up in the Wyckoff Gardens projects in Boerum Hill. I try to be unique. 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, Fletchers daughter Jonnelle wrote in a statement. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Whodini rapper John Ecstasy Fletcher has died at 56 years old. Dec 24, 2020, 10:53 AM EST | Updated Dec 24, 2020 John Fletcher, best known as Ecstasy from the pioneering rap group Whodini, has died, the group's Grand Master Dee has confirmed. One love to Ecstasy of the legendary #Whodini, he said. John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher, rapero del grupo musical Whodini, muri a la edad de 56 aos. John Ecstasy Fletcher, founder of the 1980s hip-hop group Whodini, died Wednesday at 56, according to a statement released by his family. Died: December 23, 2020 ( Who else died on December 23?) I rap in pitch. Holy Cross Mortuary : Culver City, California (CA) We want to hear it. John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher, member of Whodini, dies at age 56 who had hits throughout the 1980s including Friends, The Freaks Come Out at Night, One Love, Five Minutes of Funk, Big Mouth and Funky Beat. The trio, along with producer Larry Smith, made the first hip-hop records that black radio embraced, critic Nelson George wrote in a Twitter post Wednesday. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. I love you daddy and I wish you enough.They kissed and the daughter left. 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, the statement reads. Mr. Fletcher in performance in 2017. Vocalist and co-founder of the hip hop group Whodini which formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1982. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Whodini rapper Ecstasy - real name John Fletcher - has died. Whodini's John Fletcher, also known as Ecstasy, has passed away at 56. By Nsenga K. Burton If they listen to me, theyll know Im unique., The trio had its most acclaimed LP in 1984 with Escape, a genre-busting album that helped expand hip-hops audience while sowing seeds for dance and electronic music as well. My God, this one hurts me so bad,I cant even believe Im posting this,Ex you know I love you thank you for every word,every conversation every good time,may your soul Rest In Power #whodini q pic.twitter.com/6RGuOankWl, Cube thanked him for "showing us how to do it" and Jermaine Dupri says, "Ex you know I love you thank you for every word, every conversation, every good time.". Id rather have somebody else give us credit. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. In addition to his daughter Jonnelle, Mr. Fletchers survivors include his partner, Deltonia Cannon; five other children, Johnmon, Monet, Bianca, Sahara and Tiana; three brothers, Joseph, David and Douglas; a sister, Harriet Fletcher; and five grandchildren. I heard somebody rap one day and I said to myself, I can do that, Fletcher told The Times. Whodini was onstage at the Long Beach Arena at a 1986 concert with Run D.M.C. John Fletcher Dead: Whodini Rapper 'Ecstasy' Dies - Billboard Yes! Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. "The . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Seer. Copyright 2022 Rolling Out. I have my own style. Questlove called the rapperwho had many hits including Friends, One Love and Freaks Come Out At Nighta Pioneer.. John Fletcher, known by his stage name Ecstasy from the pioneering rap group Whodini, died Wednesday at age 56, his family and band mate Grandmaster Dee confirmed to Variety. Ecstasy was the lead vocalist on most Whodini songs because anything that we could play he could rap right to it in key, Mr. Hutchins said in an interview with the hip-hop website The Foundation. Read Full. Fletcher cofounded Whodini in Brooklyn in 1982 with singer-rapper Hutchins (DJ Drew Grandmaster Dee Carter joined a few years later). One of the most underappreciated voices in hip-hop, Q-Tip tweeted. The cause of his death has been shrouded in. One Love to one of Hip Hops Greatest! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Media maven. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Although the groups sound would wax and wane in fashion over the decades to come (its last album, Six, came out in 1994), scores of artists from the New Jack Swing, gangsta rap and contemporary era cited Whodini through samples, and it was a clear influence on acts like the Weeknd and Tyler, the Creator, who have looked to the 80s for retro-futurist inspiration. One of the first rap groups to break into the mainstream, the New York-based Whodini are best known for Eighties hip-hop classics like Friends a crossover hit in 1984, pops greatest year and Freaks Come Out at Night, both from the then-duos 1984 LP, Escape. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Friends and fans flooded tributes for the late star on social media on Wednesday. We sadly reported the passing of hip-hop veteran Ecstasy from the pioneering group Whodini last week and now his family has set up a Go Fund Me account to raise money to pay for his funeral expenses. Soldier. Their albums includedWhodini (1983),Escape(1984),Back in Black(1986),Open Sesame(1987),Bag-a-Trix(1991) and their comeback albumSixon Jermaine DuPrisSo-So-Deflabel, which produced the hit single Keep Running Back.. Thanks for your help! Please reset your password. 35 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum. Rapper Q-Tip remembered John as "one of the most under appreciated voices in hip hop" and LL Cool J says he's "one of the most important people in this culture to me. A cause of death has yet to be revealed. Follow Nsenga on Twitter. 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. I know some people say all rap sounds the same, but there are many differences. Recent Obituaries | Holy Cross Mortuary ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Chuck D's also paying homage recalling the time John mentored him in the summer of 1987 and was always there to reassure him advice and tips. While many rap artists of that time displayed braggadocio,Whodini promoted partying, having a good time and weaved tales of complicated friendships and relationships, making brilliant use of iambic pentameter, rhythmic rhymes and visual storytelling. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Leslie West, rock guitarist best known for enduring Mississippi Queen riff, dies at 75, Florian Schneider, co-founder of electronic pioneers Kraftwerk, dies at 73, Looking for fun this Cinco de Mayo weekend? Musician and journalist Questlove broke the news on Wednesday afternoon. John 'Ecstasy' Fletcher, of the pioneering rap group Whodini, dies at Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Ecstasy formed the group Whodini with Jalil Hutchins in Brooklyn, New York, in 1982, before DJ Grandmaster Dee joined in 1986. He was, the executive who signed Whodini said, truly one of the first rap stars and a sex symbol when they were very scarce in the early days of rap.. We invite you to share condolences for John Fletcher in our Guest Book. Together they created a platform to offer images and stories of hope to advance their community. Drag images here or select from your computer for John Ecstasy Fletcher memorial. One Love!. John "Ecstasy" Fletcher Dies: Cofounder Of Pioneering Rappers Whodini He was 56. So far, nearly $3,000 has been generated and donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/ecstacys-legacy. And most crucially, Mr. Fletchers flat-brimmed leather hats, which became his signature look, inspired by a wool gaucho he saw in a shop on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn that he had remade in leather. 2. He was 56. I cant sing, he told The Los Angeles Times in 1987. Verify and try again. ". Courtesy Everett Collection UPDATED: John Fletcher, best known as Ecstasy from the pioneering rap group Whodini, has died, the group's Grand Master Dee has confirmed. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Whodini also toured Europe before finding true success back in the United States. He was 56 yearsOld #JohnFletcher pic.twitter.com/BYg8cOD1ZE, Questlove, who unknowingly broke the news too many when he tweeted early on Wednesday, One Love to Ecstasy of the Legendary #Whodini. Other artists that were part of the line-up included The Fat Boys, U.T.F.O., Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, Furious 5, and the late Andre Harrells group, Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde. But the truth is the truth.. This is a carousel with slides. Failed to delete flower. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. He died earlier today. But I heard somebody rap one day and I said to myself, I can do that. I rap in pitch. We're told his loved ones are all in shock. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. But as Run-DMC was taking hip-hop to edgier territory, Whodini remained committed to smoothness. This man was legendary and a pivotal member of one of the most legendary groups in hip hop, Thompson wrote. Ecstasy of the Group Whodini, Dies at 56, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/26/arts/music/john-fletcher-dead.html, Jalil Hutchins, left, and John Fletcher, a.k.a. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. We invite you to share condolences for John Fletcher in our Guest Book. Civil rights leaders, elected officials respond to the death of cultural icon Harry Belafonte Jr. Arts In Color: meet the woman behind D.C.s Black inclusive art gallery, Challenge 2 Change opens new building on East Monument Street to help youth, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. News of Fletchers death was first revealed by the Roots Questlove, with many others in the rap community also mourning the death of the Whodini rapper. John "Ecstasy" Fletcher, of Hip-Hop Group Whodini, Dead at 56 - Yahoo Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., is founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Sorry! John Ecstasy Fletcher, cofounder 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 Wednesday at age 56. In creating that song, Mr. Fletcher told HipHop40, we pictured it blaring from the windows in the projects as we walked through it on a summers day.. 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., Were good real good, Fletcher told The Times in 1987.