Tragically, Brooklyn-born producer and recording artist Kashif Saleem was found dead in his Los Angles home on Sunday. Updated reports state that he was actually 59, not 56, at the time of his death.
Kashif was an artist, producer and composer who played multiple instruments. At 15, he toured internationally as a member of B.T. Express, whose hits include the funky “Do It.” In 1996, he added author to his list of accomplishments with the best-selling book Everything You Better Know About the Record Industry.
As an artist, Kashif had 17 Top 10 hits. As a producer/songwriter, he sold over 70 million records worldwide, earning him six Grammy nominations in multiple categories. Saxophonist Kenny G credits the multifaceted Kashif for launching his career.
A product of eight foster homes, his later years were spent developing educational music programs for children and aspiring artists. He also taught at UCLA.
Although the height of his solo career came during the ’80s, his musical influence and legacy remained relevant decades later. The artist’s music was sampled by artists of all genres. Here are just 11 tracks you probably didn’t know Kashif was responsible for:
“You Give Good Love”
Originally, “You Give Good Love” was written with the incomparable Roberta Flack in mind. But as the producer of the song, Kashif eventually thought it was better suited for Whitney Houston. He convinced Arista Records to let her have it and the song became her third single from her self-titled debut. It also went on to be a pop crossover hit on the Billboard 100.
“Love Come Down”
Play this one at the family reunion and your aunt is sure to shake a tail feather. Kashif wrote Evelyn “Champagne” King’s 1982 hit single, “Love Come Down”.
“I’m in Love”
Kashif was also responsible for King’s “I’m in Love,” which went to No. 1 on the soul and dance charts and also charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
“R&B Junkie”
“I’m in Love” became such a classic that pop idol Janet Jackson sampled the song on her Damita Jo track “R&B Junkie.” That song was written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
“Betcha She Don’t Love You”
Speaking of King, whom Kashif obviously crafted some of his best songs for, another hit for her was “Betcha She Don’t Love You.”
“She Don’t Love You”
The Queen Bee sampled “Betcha She Don’t Love You” on her sophomore release Notorious K.I.M.:
You love me, and I know she know
Cause every time I come around, she be like “let’s go”
From a side-chick perspective, Lil’ Kim talks plenty of ish with her take on the classic in “She Don’t Love You.”
“If You Were My Man”
“Betcha She Don’t Love You” has been in heavy rotation longer than you thought. Missy Elliott pulled it out of the crates for Monica’s “If You Were My Man” on her 2010 album, Still Standing.
“Chicken Heads”
The ladies aren’t the only ones who feel Kashif. Former Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil’ Cease and crooner Carl Thomas sampled Kashif’s “In the Mood” On Cease’s debut album. In true Ceaser Leo fashion, the song is entitled “Chicken Heads.”
“Love Changes”
In the late ’80s, Kashif and Meli’sa Morgan covered “Love Changes” by ’70s soul group Mother’s Finest. Fast forward to the new millennium and Jamie Foxx recreated Kashif’s duet version with the queen of hip-hop Soul.
“So Fine”
Howard Johnson’s “So Fine” was written and produced by Kashif. The song was so good, it made it to No. 1 on the dance charts back in 1982. It was sampled by DJ Quik for his song “Down, Down, Down.”
“Inside Love” (So Personal)
Who doesn’t love George Benson? While this song really only charted in the U.K. when it was released back in 1983, it’s a must for Benson and Kashif fans.
