Kashif Saleem, known professionally as “Kashif” (born on
December 26, 1959 as Michael Jones), died on September 25, 2016 at
the age of 56.
Kashif came to national attention in 1983 with a string of hits,
“Lover Turn Me On,” “Stone Love,” and my favorite, “The Mood.”
At 15, Kashif was a keyboard player for B.T. Express, on their
hits “Here Comes the Express” and “Do it Til You’re Satisfied.”
In the early days, Kashif wrote “I’m in Love” for Evelyn
“Champagne” King and “So Fine” for Howard Johnson.
Kashif built his career by playing on music by George Benson,
Evelyn "Champagne" King, Johnny Kemp, Melba Moore, Dionne Warwick,
Stacy Lattisaw, Meli'sa Morgan, Exposé, Freda Payne, and Whitney Houston. He
helped bring saxophonist Kenny G to prominence by penning “Hi How Ya Doin’, one
that had a special significance for my daughter and me.
I have been telling everyone who would listen about Kashif’s
book entitled “Everything You'd Better Know About the Record Industry” which
was published in 1996. It is a must for any young artists trying to break into
the business.
Kashif was inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame as a “Living
Legend” in November 2014.
In 2006, he founded Kashif University on the campus of a high
school in Inglewood, California, as an integrated education and arts training
program for at-risk youth ages 8–18.
Kashif deserves our admiration as a singer, songwriter, record
producer, artist, composer, author, director and educator.
Kashif [1959 – 2016]
© 09/27/2016
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