Mourners ‘Hail the King’ at service for Fantan Mojah

Fantan Mojah’s hit song, ‘Hail the King’, was the soundtrack for the thanksgiving service and public viewing on Thursday at the University Chapel Mona, as family, a wide cross section of music industry representatives and fans gathered to sombrely say their goodbyes at the first of two services. 
Prominent among those who mourned was Michelle Moncrieffe, his widow, who told THE WEEKEND STAR that she wanted him to be remembered for his music, above all else.
“Music was Owen’s passion,” Michelle said softly of the entertainer, given name Owen Moncrieffe. “Owen is the person I met, and he was always a very humble person. He was very sweet, very loving … as they say, he was a ladies man. On the street he was Fantan Mojah, at home he was Owen. 
“We were together on and off for more than 26 years … and [we were] married for eight. I knew him long before one song even played on the radio. Owen would always say that one day he is going to make it big, and he did.” 
The service was particularly painful for Michelle, as she is also mourning the death of her father.
“My father died exactly one week after my husband, at the same University Hospital, in the same room,” she said, trying to hold back the tears. “It’s very hard, but I’m taking it one day at a time.”
She noted, however, that this week it’s all about giving her husband the send-off that he deserves. On Thursday, tributes flowed from relatives and music industry representative, and the tears came from unexpected faces, for example the flagman, Fyah Stone, who said he “has been waving the flag for Fantan from day one”. 
Fantan’s daughters, Fantasia and Anastacia Moncrieffe, spoke glowingly of their father, while Stacy Johnston-Johnson read the eulogy.
“My father loved being a dad. In his eyes, we were his greatest accomplishments,” Fantasia said.  “We will always be proud to call him our father.”
Also paying tribute was Bongo Herman, the percussionist who created the rhythm for one of Fantan’s biggest hits.
“I build it … me alone build it for Downsound. Fantan wasn’t in the studio at the time, but when him hear the riddim, him put the lyrics together and mek a hit, Hail the King. Sad to know him gone. Fantan was mi friend … mi clean-hearted friend. That’s why mi sacrifice everything to be here today,” he said.
Bongo also performed Hail the King and Fly Away Home in tribute to Fantan, alongside the Warrior Love band. Other performances came from the Binghistra Movement and singer, Joseph McIntyre. In acknowledgement of Fantan’s Rastafarian beliefs, the officiating minister was Kes Haile Mikael Brissett of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Moderator was Coleen Douglas, who also gave a tribute on behalf of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association. David Brown represented Culture Minister Olivia Grange, who sent apologies for being unavoidably absent.
The second thanksgiving service and funeral rites are scheduled for this Saturday in Elderslie, St Elizabeth. 
Fantan was born in White Hill, St Elizabeth, on August 5, 1976. Music was his passion and like many before him, he came up through the ranks of the sound system. His very first name was Mad Killer, a nod to one of his favourite artistes, Bounty Killer. With his decision to embrace Rastafarianism came a name change, and his faith being reflected in his lyrics. He gained legions of fans with songs such as Rasta Got Soul, Thanks and Praise, Stronger, Most High Jah, Never Give Up. With his signature knapsack on his back, he became a sought-after performer and was later signed to Joe Bogdanovich’s Downsound Productions. 
His début album, Hail the King, was released in 2005 and he continued to perform and release new singles and albums until his passing. His last performance was at BHIM Fest in Ghana last December. Fantan passed away on July 14 while a patient at the University Hospital of the West Indies. He was 49.