Kashief Lindo

Born around 1978 in Kingston, Jamaica, Kashief Lindo entered a family already entrenched in reggae. His relatives include keyboardist Earl Lindo of the Wailers, singer Hopeton Lindo with multiple chart successes, and producer Jack Ruby, originally named Lawrence Lindo. Kashief’s own father, Willie Lindo, handled guitar duties for the Hi Times Band before launching an independent production outfit. Although Willie oversaw several dancehall releases, among them Sophia George’s ‘Girlie Girlie,’ he earned particular recognition for his softer ballad productions, notably the mid-1980s UK number-one singles he crafted for Boris Gardiner.

In 1992 Willie oversaw his son’s first recording session; the resulting track appeared on the one-rhythm album Rougher Yet. Kashief achieved his initial breakthrough late the following year when ‘Hard Times’ rode the enduring ‘Satta Massa Gana’ rhythm. Three years later, moved by the Fugees’ reinterpretation of Roberta Flack’s ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song,’ he cut his own rendition, which found strong favor in current reggae circles. Still early in his career, the singer shows no concern that a major dancehall hit has so far eluded him.