One day Willie and Beres Hammond were in the studio recording for about 12 hours, while four year old Kashief sat and watched patiently, as the two geniuses worked. On their way home the idea for one of Beres's popular songs was born, and they played with the melody in the car until they got to their destination, they knew they had a hit, so they decided to record the song the following day, unfortunately as it often happens, neither Beres or Willie could remember the melody of the song, they tried tirelessly but could not get it, when they had all but given up they heard four year old Kashief humming the melody quite nonchalantly, at that point they realized that this young boy was someone special.
Beres Hammond insisted that Willie Lindo record Kashief, thus at the age of four, his first recording, "Live with Love". Although Kashief is highly influenced by the great Reggae Balladeers, he grew up listening to his personal C.D. collection, which includes, R&B, Hip Hop, Latin, Country, Pop, all genres of music. His voice has been described as a cross between Stevie Wonder, Sam Cook, and Michael Jackson, all mentors of Kashief. Coincidentally Michael Jackson and Kashief are both born on the 29th of August.
Kashief Lindo's first album entitled "Trouble Free" swept the charts in the United States, Europe and Japan. This album features his remake of a Jimmy Cliffs classic, "Many Rivers to Cross" a rendition that brought rave reviews. He has subsequently released six other albums, "Push For Your Goal" and album targeting young children, motivating them towards educational upliftment. "Soul and Inspiration", What Kind of World", "Kashief Sings Christmas", and his first all original album "We Need Love" which demonstrated Kashief's writing and
production skills. His latest release "Solid Soul" a collection of soulful ballads paying tribute to soul music.
When asked why he chose to do an all ballad C.D. Kashief replied, "Through the years I have learnt that to be good at your craft you must pay close attention to others that have mastered theirs. So, from Nat King Cole to Michael Jackson, I have listened, studied, pondered, and sometimes mesmerized by their amazing gift. As a Reggae Balladeer it is normal to cover R&B songs while demonstrating our pulsating reggae rhythms, but I felt the need, the desire, almost an obligation to pay tribute to soul music, by covering some of my favorite songs, with the same soulful, rhythmic delivery that they were originally done in. So my gift to you sixteen of my favorite ballads, which I hope are some of your favorites, that you can share with your favorite person" "Solid Soul".
Kashief has matured into a complete artiste. At his young age he now has the skills of a seasoned veteran. Kashief is a laid back and humble person, but when he touches the stage he transforms into an illustrious performer. In 1998 the Tamika Awards presented Kashief with the award "Best Male International Singer". The 1999 Reggae Soca Music Awards bestowed the honor of "Album of the Year" for the work "We Need Love".
Kashief Lindo is an exceptional vocalist, musician and producer, but additionally, he exhibits exemplary character. He greets everyone with a smile and a positive word. Kashief spends most of his time in the studio with his father Willie Lindo, not seeking fame, not seeking fortune, but making a positive contribution to the world with his music, and in so doing he will achieve fame and fortune. Kashief lives by his convictions, and will not produce or be a part of anything negative or derogatory. So he continues to live his life trouble free.
Killing Me Softly
Kashief Lindo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(One time, one time)
Singing my life with his words,
(Two time, two time)
Killing me softly with his song,
Killing me softly with his song,
Telling my whole life with his words,
Killing me softly with his song
I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd,
I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud.
I prayed that he would finish but he just kept right on.
Strumming my pain with his fingers,
(One time, one time)
Singing my life with his words,
(Two time, two time)
Killing me softly with his song,
Killing me softly with his song,
Telling my whole life with his words,
Killing me softly with his song
In Kashief Lindo's song "Killing Me Softly," the singer describes a musician who is playing and singing in such a way that it seems like he is telling her life story through his lyrics. The instrument's strumming is taking all of the pain that the singer has experienced and is being expressed through the musician's touch. She is being "killed softly" with his song, and as he sings, she feels like he has read all of her personal letters and journals, which he is now reciting back to her through his lyrics. Even though she wants him to stop, he just keeps going, and she is overwhelmed by the emotions that his music brings to the surface.
The singer is so affected by the musician's performance that she feels hot and feverish, and she is embarrassed by the attention that she is getting from the crowd around her. The musician's words are so powerful that they seem to reveal not only the singer's past experiences but also her innermost thoughts and feelings. The song is a reminder of the impact that music can have on our lives, and how it can touch us in ways that we might never have imagined.
Line by Line Meaning
Strumming my pain with his fingers
He is playing music that resonates with my deep emotional hurt and pain.
Singing my life with his words
His lyrics are so relatable that they feel like they were written about my life.
Killing me softly with his song
The power of his music is so intense that it feels like it's slowly destroying me from the inside out.
Telling my whole life with his words
He has an uncanny ability to capture the essence of my entire life story through his lyrics.
I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd
The intensity of the emotions evoked by his music made me feel physically ill, and I was overwhelmed by the attention of those around me.
I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud
His lyrics were so personal and accurate that I felt as though he had read my private thoughts and was sharing them with the world.
I prayed that he would finish but he just kept right on
Even though the emotions he was stirring up in me were almost unbearable, I couldn't bear the thought of his performance coming to an end.
Writer(s): Norman Gimbel, Charles Fox
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ingenio - García
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