KASHIF KASHIF, whose name means “inventor, discoverer and magic maker” has spent a lifetime doing just that, inventing, discovering and making magic. He is legendary; a super producer, songwriter, artist, author, director, documentarian, and a music icon. He has produced and/or written chart topping smash hits for Whitney Houston, Kenny G, George Benson, Barry White, Lil’ Kim, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Will Downing, Dionne Warwick, Janet Jackson, Johnny Kemp, Glenn Jones, Al Jarreau, Me’lisa Morgan, Johnny Kemp, Mariah Carey and Monica just to name a few. Born Michael Jones December 26, 1956 in Harlem, New York, Kashif has never known his biological family. His introduction to music came in the form of a $3.00 song flute when he was in the fourth grade. Music as it turned would be the only common denominator amidst the uncertainty of moving between eight foster homes. By age 12 he had mastered several musical instruments and was performing in some of New York’s finest clubs (The Copacabana & LLoyd Price’s Turntable). In 1974 at the age of 17 Kashif was recruited to join world renown funk band B.T. Express, whose credits included the mega hits “Here Comes The Express” and “Do It ‘Til You’re Satisfied”, among others. Seeking a more challenging musical assignment in 1978 Kashif exited B.T. Express and landed a job as keyboardist for R&B sensation, Stephanie mills. 1979 marked a major milestone for Kashif’s budding career. He wrote and produced the smash hit “I’m In Love” for Evelyn “Champagne” King.The song revitalized King’s career and branded Kashif as one of the most sought after producers of the day. Over the next ten years his creativity blossomed. He created hit after hit including “So Fine” for Howard Johnson, “Love Come Down”, “Becha She Don’t Love You” and “Back To Love” among many others. In 1980 Kashif signed with Arista Records as a solo artist and continued his unrelenting assault on the R&B music charts with hits like “I Just Got To Have You, Lover Turn Me On” “Stone Love”, “Help Yourself To My Love” and the Grammy-nominated instrumental “The Mood”. In 1983 his second album, “Send Me Your Love”resulted in two Grammy nominations, “Edgartown Groove”, featuring Al Jarreau, and instrumental “Call Me Tonight” along with the hits “Baby Don’t Break Your Baby’s Heart” and “Are You The Woman”. In 1985 he received another Grammy nomination for yet another instrumental entitled “The Movie Song”. He also wrote and produced “Inside Love” for his musical idol, George Benson. It was during this time that he met and launched the career of then unknown Kenny G. with the electrifying “Hi How Ya Doin” and “Nighttime In Tribeca”. In 1985 Kashif teamed up with then newcomer Whitney Houston. The result was the smash hit “You Give Good Love” which instantly launched her career into the stratosphere. Kashif also produced and was her duet partner on“Thinking About You”, a single track from Whitney’s astounding 17-million selling debutalbum. The album became the best selling debut album by a female artist. Kashif also produced “Where You Are” on Whitney’s second project, the result, a 15-million selling album entitled “Whitney”. In 1987 he produced “Love Changes”, a chart topper on which Me’lisa Morgan was his duet partner, that was taken from his best selling album of the same name. Also contained on that album was another duet that yielded yet another international hit, the song, “Reservations For Two”. The artist? The legendary Dionne Warwick.
Brooklyn Boy Entertainment - 86 Hokai Pl. Keihei, HI 96753 - 310.505.6365 - Kashif@brooklynboy.com