It is with great sadness that we report that John Fletcher, a third of80s hip-hop trio Whodini died at 56.
Fletcher’s family shared the news of his death on Wednesday in a statement sent to Advertising panel:
African ancestors and Native Americans came together and chose this day, during the winter solstice, December 23, 2020, to appeal to a more beloved, generous and sincere soul that graced the heart of the world with performances, hip-hop, family , children and grandchildren. John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher was a beloved man, Deltonia’s life partner and ex-husband of Carla, Joseph’s twin brother, artist, friend and lifelong partner of Whodini’s Legendary Jalil. Whodini has established a legendary status hip-hop course that we will all surely pass on to our grandchildren. Please send love and prayers to our family, and with an open heart we ask the ancestors to cover your soul in peace and tranquility. Play his music, if it moves you, and know that he will hear you on the way home this day, December 23rd. “
The news of Fletcher’s death shocked hip-hop and the music community in general. The Roots’ Questlove was the first to break the news, writing on social media, “One Love to Ecstasy of the Legendary #Whodini. This man was legendary and a key member of one of hip hop’s most legendary groups. This is sad, man. “
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Other big names in hip-hop, like Little Brother’s Phonte, rapper Chuck D, Ice Cube, Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest and Jermaine Dupri paid tribute, expressed gratitude and shared memories of the musical giant.
Fletcher, along with vocalist Jalil Hutchins and Grandmaster Dee formed the ‘Whodini, an 80s rap group, quickly rose to stardom and achieved significant success. Whodini’s sound was often credited as the model for the New Jack Swing era, with songs like “Friends”, “Freaks Come Out at Night” and “Five Minutes of Funk” becoming big hits.
“A love for one of the biggest in Hip Hop! There will never be another, ”wrote Hutchins.
There it was no official word on the cause of death.