Hip-hop singer from '80s hip-hop group Whodini dead at 56

 

John "Ecstasy" Fletcher of Whodini performs in December 1, 2017, in Anaheim, California. Fletcher died Wednesday.

(CNN)John "Ecstasy" Fletcher, founder of the 1980s hip-hop group Whodini, died Wednesday at 56, according to a statement released by his family.

In the statement confirming his death, daughter Jonnelle Fletcher called him "a most endeared, generous, and sincere soul." 

"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.

"Please send love and prayers to our family, and with open hearts we ask the ancestors to cover his soul in peace and tranquility. Play his music if it moves you, and know he'll be hearing you on his way home this day, Dec 23rd."

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.

Whodini was known for its singles like "Friends" and "Freaks Come Out at Night."

Hip-hop musician Ahmir Khalib Thompson, better known as Questlove, tweeted his condolences on Wednesday.

"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," Thompson wrote.

Jermaine Dupri remembered Fletcher on Twitter, writing, "thank you for every word, every conversation every good time, may your soul Rest In Power."

Fletcher's cause of death is unknown at this time.

Merry Christmas

Enjoy your day 

3 BLACK FATHERS LAUNCH ROKU CHANNEL

Three years ago, three black fathers, Marquis Lupton, William Way Jr., and Brandon Way Sr. decided to do something about the lack of diversity in their regional news stations. Building off of Marquis’ decade long journalism career, the three fathers decided to launch The Cultured Professional, best known as the TCP Network.

All three of these Lancaster-native fathers noticed, not only a void in diversity with their local news, but also noticed a trend of negativity when it came to covering people of color, especially men. Inspired by media moguls such as Tyler Perry, and Byron Allen, Marquis, William, and Brandon wanted to bring a fresh voice, fresh perspective, and diversity to their regional news scene.

In January of 2021, the three founders will be taking their business up another notch and will be airing on their content on Roku TV. Tilted TCP TV, these black fathers hope the content they were able to build and broadcast these past three years, can reach a larger audience. “We feel as though its important to tell our own stories, deliver our news, in our vernacular,” Lupton says. “So many times as a news reporter, I would be pulled off an amazing story, only to cover another shooting, another fight, or another fire. It gets exhausting covering your people in a negative light constantly.”

TCP Network aims to give people of color, and other disenfranchised groups a voice and platform, and supports its community through broadcasted content, community service events, and media literacy camps for kids. To date, the company mainly broadcasts on Facebook Live, and currently has over 10 Vlogcast shows, with over 30 volunteers helping the company grow.

To learn more about TCP Network, visit TCPNetwork.com