Ecstasy of Rap Group Whodini Dead at Age 56
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. 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 World’s heart through performance, hip-hop, family, children and grandchildren, the statement reads. 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.
Wed Dec 23, 2020 at 8:02pm ET
Hip hop legend John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher has passed away at 56. Pic credit: 1029KBLX/YouTube
Rapper John “Ecstasy” Fletcher, one of the founding members of the pioneering hip-hop group Whodini, has passed away at the age of 56.
Fletcher was living in the Atlanta area at the time of his death, TMZ reported.
Fletcher’s passing was announced by Roots drummer and frontman Questlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson).
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Questlove took to his Instagram page earlier today to share the sad news of Ecstacy’s passing with his 2.1 million followers.
“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,” Questlove wrote.
John Fletcher, also known as
Ecstasy, has died at age 56, group member
Grand Master Dee confirmed to
Variety. A cause of death was not yet given.
Born June 7, 1964, Fletcher was a member of the pioneering rap who created hits such as “Freaks Out At Night,” “The Haunted House of Rock,” and their
Billboard Hot 100 hit “Friends.”
In 1982, Brooklyn, New York, Fletcher formed the group with lyricist
Jalil Hutchins and eventually signed a deal with Jive Records. Grand Master Dee joined the group in 1986. Their debut single, “Magic’s Wand,” served as a tribute to late hip-hop DJ
Mr. Magic and was followed by a self-titled album a year later, under management by music mogul
The Hip-hop world mourns over the passing of one of its greatest artists, Whodini member John Fletcher.
Fletcher, who was more famously known as Ecstasy, has died at the age of 56.
On December 23, Questlove s official Instagram account revealed the sudden passing of the Whodini rap group member. 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, the musician wrote in the tribute alongside a black-and-white photo of him with Fletcher.
As of writing, the cause of his death remains unknown. Despite that, the hip-hop community already began sharing their tribute messages for the late rapper.
Credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images
John Fletcher, also known as Ecstasy, of the pioneering hip-hop group Whodini, has died at 56. The group s Grandmaster Dee confirmed the news to Variety after the Roots’ Questlove first announced Fletcher s death on social media on Wednesday. No cause of death has been given.
A Brooklyn native known for his trademark Zorro hat, Fletcher formed Whodini with fellow rapper Jalil Hutchins in 1982, quickly rising to prominence in the early 80s New York hip-hop scene. Pioneering from the start their debut single Magic s Wand was among the first rap songs with an accompanying music video the duo was later joined by DJ Grandmaster Dee, and saw a breakthrough with their second album,