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
The cause of death was not immediately known.
“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,” Fletcher’s daughter Jonnelle wrote in a statement.
“‘One Love’ to one of Hip Hop’s Greatest! There will never be another,” his bandmate Jalil Hutchins added.
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Fletcher was born in Brooklyn and grew up in the neighborhood’s Wyckoff projects. Whodini came of age in the late ’70s and early ’80s, alongside Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Afrika Bambaataa and Kurtis Blow, some of the first acts to take an emergent hip-hop culture of DJ-driven street parties and gain notice in the wider music industry. Whodini’s sound synth-driven with a hook-heavy mix of singing and rapping would influence generations of acts and become prime sample material for Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Nipsey Hussle and Nas.
Whodini rapper Ecstasy dead: John Fletcher dies aged 56
Whodini rapper Ecstasy dead. (Courtesy)
Whodini rapper Ecstasy - real name John Fletcher - has died. Friends and fans flooded tributes for the late star on social media on Wednesday. The cause of his death has been shrouded in mystery and yet to be made public. He shot to fame as part of the band Whodini in 1964.
The band was a three-piece starring Esctasy, Drew Grandmaster Dee Carter and Jalil Hutchins. They cemented their status on the hip hop scene. Their hit songs garnering attention were The Haunted House of Rock, Friends, Freaks Come Out at Night.
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.
John Ecstasy Fletcher of hip-hop group Whodini has died aged 56
The cause of death is still unknown
It was announced by Roots drummer Questlove on Instagram as Fletcher s friends and fellow rappers paid tribute
Ice Cube and Public Enemy were among the others mourning Fletcher
Fletcher founded the legendary NYC group in 1982 with Jalil Hutchins
They were joined by DJ Grandmaster Dee in 1986 and won national acclaim
The group was regarded as an integral part of the early 1980s NYC hip hop scene and was the first to perform with b-boy dancers
Whodini is also credited with helping to create the New Jack Swing genre