Kashif (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kashif
Saleem and his wife in 2011
Born	Michael Jones (1956-12-26)December 26, 1956 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	September 25, 2016(2016-09-25) (aged 59) Playa Del Rey, California, U.S.
Other names	Kashif Saleem
Occupation	Songwriter record producer singer author humanitarian
Musical career
Genres	R&B boogie post-disco jazz soul
Instruments	Synthesizer keyboards piano drums percussion vocals
Years active	1974–2016
Labels	Arista Brooklyn Boy
Associated acts	B. T. Express Evelyn "Champagne" King Kenny G George Benson Whitney Houston

Kashif Saleem (born Michael Jones; December 26, 1956 – September 25, 2016) was a talented American musician, singer, and songwriter from New York City. He was also a record producer, author, and someone who cared deeply about helping others.

When he was a teenager, Kashif joined the funk band B. T. Express. He later became a Muslim and changed his name from Michael Jones to Kashif. He then signed with Arista Records and became a successful solo artist.

Kashif was a pioneer in urban music, much like Stevie Wonder. He was known for using special synthesizer technology and introducing MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) in his music production. MIDI is a way for electronic musical instruments to talk to each other.

Kashif's Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Kashif was born Michael Jones on December 26, 1956, in Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City. His birth mother was in jail when he was just four months old, so he was placed in foster care. He moved to a more stable foster home when he was six years old.

His journey into music began with a small, inexpensive flute he received in elementary school. By the age of 12, with help from his junior high music teacher, Robert Wedlaw, he had learned to play many instruments. He even started performing in famous New York nightclubs like Copacabana (nightclub).

Kashif's Music Career

Joining B. T. Express

In 1974, Kashif became the keyboard player and singer for the funk band B. T. Express. This band was famous for hits like "Express." In 1978, Kashif left the band to find new musical challenges. He then worked as a keyboardist for R&B singer Stephanie Mills.

Solo Career and Grammy Nominations

In 1983, Kashif signed with Arista Records as a solo artist. His first album, Kashif (1983), had popular songs like "I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On)" and "Stone Love." Kashif was seen as an innovator because he was one of the first R&B artists to use synthesizers and other electronic instruments.

In 1984, his second album, Send Me Your Love, earned him two Grammy nominations. These were for the songs "Edgartown Groove," which featured Al Jarreau, and the instrumental track "Call Me Tonight." Other popular songs from this album included "Baby Don't Break Your Baby's Heart."

He released more albums, including Condition of the Heart (1985), Love Changes (1987), and another album titled Kashif (1989). On the Love Changes album, the group Exposé sang background vocals. The 1989 Kashif album included his version of the Four Tops' hit song "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)".

Kashif as a Record Producer and Activist

Producing Hits for Other Artists

In 1981, Kashif wrote and produced the hit song "I'm in Love" for Evelyn "Champagne" King. This song changed King's sound and made Kashif a very popular producer. For the next ten years, he created many hits for other artists, such as "So Fine" for Howard Johnson and "Love Come Down" for Evelyn "Champagne" King.

Kashif's work can be heard on albums by many famous musicians, including Kenny G, George Benson, Dionne Warwick, and Whitney Houston. He received more Grammy nominations for his instrumental songs like "The Mood" and "The Movie Song."

Working with Rising Stars

Around this time, Kashif also helped launch the career of the famous saxophonist Kenny G. He produced Kenny G's early songs like "Hi How Ya Doin."

In 1985, Kashif worked with a new singer named Whitney Houston. He produced her hit song "You Give Good Love." He also sang a duet with her on "Thinking About You" from her first album. This album became the best-selling debut album by a female artist. Kashif also produced "Where You Are" on Whitney Houston's second album, Whitney.

In 1987, he produced "Love Changes," a very popular song where he sang a duet with Meli'sa Morgan. This song was also the title of his best-selling album. He also produced "Reservations For Two" with Dionne Warwick, which became another international hit. Between 1987 and 1989, Kashif continued to produce hits for artists like Jermaine Jackson, The Stylistics, and Melba Moore.

Teaching and Helping Others

In 1996, Kashif started a program called "Contemporary Record Production with Kashif" at UCLA Extension. He also wrote a book called "Everything You'd Better Know About the Record Industry," which sold many copies worldwide.

In 2000, Kashif produced the theme song for the Para-Olympics. He also wrote and produced "Brooklyn Breezes" for R&B singer Will Downing. In 2004, Kashif was honored as a "Living Legend" and was inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame. That same year, Janet Jackson's song "R&B Junkie" used a sample from Kashif's song "I'm in Love."

Kashif grew up in the foster care system, which inspired him to help young people in similar situations. In 2006, he started the Team iCare Foundation. He organized the first Walk/Run for Foster Care at the Rose Bowl Stadium in California, which led to many people signing up to become foster parents. He also created a "Mentorship Dinner Cruise" where young people in foster care could meet professionals from different careers.

Kashif received many awards from government leaders for his community work. In 2006, he founded Kashif University, a program for young people aged 8–18 that combined education and arts training.

Kashif also wrote, directed, and produced commercials and films for various companies and organizations. He created a ten-part documentary series called "The History of R&B Music and Its Influence on World Culture."

Kashif passed away on September 25, 2016.

Kashif's Music Releases

Here are some of the albums and singles Kashif released during his career.

Studio Albums

Compilation Albums

Singles