I found this in Launch.com

If TLC had read Kashif's book, Everything You'd Better Know About The Music Business, before they signed 100 different contracts with former manager Pebbles, they may not have earned a VH1 Behind The Music special. They would have known how to avoid the contractual clauses that ultimately resulted in TLC forfeiting so many of their creative and monetary rights. Having to file bankruptcy was definitely unpretty, but it's not too late for all of you aspiring artists out there to do it right the first time. Music industry veteran/ former BT Express member Kashif has made the tricks of the trade public knowledge, and he even visited the LAUNCH chat room on Feb. 22 to share this information with those who've yet to pick up his music-biz survival guide. Watch the insightful business workshop unfold as you read this chat transcript...

bigdog1964_99: what have you been doing in past years

launch_kashif: In 1990, I retired and moved to Maui. In 1992, I came back to Los Angeles and started Brooklyn Boy Books and Entertainment Information. I am currently working on the new Kashif CD.

honey_crash: kashif - how did you get your start in the music industry?

launch_kashif: (laughs) In 1974, I auditioned for the platinum-selling group BT Express. I had just graduated high school. The manager's daughter was a classmate of mine. She convinced her father to let me audition for the band. They liked my keyboard work and hired me.

musicurl: You've done some successful duets (Melba Moore Meli'sa Morgan) any plans in the works for more?

launch_kashif: Yes, I plan to do a steamy duet with Hilary Clinton. But really, we'll see as things happen in the future. There may be some duets on this new album.

dlites127: When is your next cd coming out

launch_kashif: June of 2000. The tentative title is The Renaissance and it will be out on Brooklyn Boy.

promodiva_2000: what led you to write a book about the music industry?

launch_kashif: In my travels, I am often asked questions about how to be successful. I guess my early involvement with computers and music led people to believe that I was educated. I fooled them all.

gabriela_juliette: if you had 3 wishes, what would you wish?

launch_kashif: Three wishes...okay...My first wish would be that I had six wishes. My first three would be silly wishes. That Halle Berry would dump Eric Benet and find me irresistible. My second wish would be that Halle Berry would dump Eric Benet and find me irresistible. My third wish would be...see if you can guess it. My fourth, fifth, and sixth wishes would be for health, happiness, and world peace.

promodiva_2000: Do you think it's better for artists to self publish?

launch_kashif: To some degree, releasing one's own album requires more effort on the artist's part; however, in most cases you will find the effort is well worth it if you are organized in your approach. You'll also find it far more profitable even if you sell far fewer CDs.

babygirl1971_99: Where do you call home?

launch_kashif: I have two homes. One is in Pacific Palisades, Calif. and the other is Maui, Hawaii.

babygirl1971_99: Do you think there will ever be anything similar to what Motown created? As in a whole sound for a generation that has lasted and lasted?

launch_kashif: Motown is an historical figure as far as music and pop culture. It was created at a time when the music industry was still young and there was still lots of ground to be covered musically and technically. Because there are so many folks trying to make it in the music business today, it seems that many of them want instant success. If the society at large continues to travel down the instant success road, there will never be any new artists that can compare with the pioneers of our past. With that being said, my feeling is those types of unique and groundbreaking companies and artists are a thing of the past.

bigdog1964_99: when and if you will be touring and do you have dates yet

launch_kashif: I will probably tour with the new CD. We don't have tour dates yet. However, I will be also be touring with Kashif University. KU is a two-day intensive college-style course on how to be successful in the music business. If you go to www.brooklynboy.com, you can get details on Kashif University and all of my other activities, such as Brooklyn Boy will be granting scholarships to lower-income musicians to attend the world-renowned Los Angeles Music Academy. This project is the most important project for me this year. LAMA is an incredible music institution that teaches not only musical skills but performance skills. It has music industry classes as well. It will be college-accredited and many of the top session players and singers in the music business teach classes there. For more information about LAMA, you can either email me at kashif@pacificnet.net or visit www.brooklynboy.com.

musicurl: Are there any new artists that you find inspiring?

launch_kashif: Yeah. Yes. I like the group Smash Mouth, I like Eagle-Eye Cherry. I'm more inspired by the artists I'm hearing on pop and alternative radio than urban and black radio right now. I think the urban artists are being less creative, especially lyrically. Not just rap, but across the board. I find the lyrics rehashed and mundane. I think it's a result of the instant gratification of upstaged youth. They don't want to work hard. They don't want to learn how to play. They don't want to spend long hours learning how to play an instrument or develop vocal skills. Therefore, they spend their time sampling old great music and using different lyrics. I'm talking about most artists you hear on urban/ black radio stations--there's nothing unique. The very next artist that releases a song that starts with the lyric "When I first saw you," I am going to have them arrested.

babygirl1971_99: What was your most embarrasing moment on stage?

launch_kashif: Oh, man. I was performing on Showtime At The Apollo and my zipper was open. The woman in the front row was trying to get me all the details. We are now married. Ha ha.

promodiva_2000: What are your opinions on the advent of new technmologies?

launch_kashif: New technology will always enhance the making of music, the selling of music, and the ability to listen to music.

Alays was a big fan of Kashif. He had some killer slow jams "Are You the Woman" "Send Me Your Love" we the two best. The early stuff he did for Whitney is still her best. Do you know if he ever released the CD he was talking about in this interview?

i've followed Him&His Work for Years.funny it doesn't get mentioned Much His Helping Bring Kenny G.too Arista Records.He is so right about the Business.the Politics of the Business Today won't allow another Motown let alone a New Artist too Hit there Heads against the Walls until there 4th or 5th Album too find themselves.so true.