BRIEF OVERVIEW
Mr. Jerry Calliste Jr. (Calliste pronounced kah-lease) is a serial entrepreneur, startup business advisor, angel investor and philanthropist. Calliste Jr. participates as a volunteer opinions leader at The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)(’07 – present).
These days Mr. Calliste Jr. explores investment opportunities as managing director at MassimoInvest.com, a hedge fund focused on developing alternative investments funds related to new media (music, film, news) productions, custom software, and real estate development. In addition Mr. Calliste Jr. is managing director at Callistecomm a business consulting company and official advisory consultant partner and affiliate for Palo Alto Software, California.
Calliste attended The Ross School of Management at Franklin University where he studied dual majors, a B.Sc. in Information Technology and B.Sc. in Management Information Sciences (’06-’10) where he maintained a 3.75 GPA (Magna Cum Laude). Throughout Mr. Calliste Jr. participated as a member of the Franklin University Leadership Center.
LA VIE DE CHÂTEAU
How It All Started: Calliste is known as an innovative Electro HipHop artist and producer, a songwriter member and music publisher member at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). As writer ’83-present and as publishers ’84-present and ’05-present respectively.
In 1983 the young Calliste also co-founded the popular independent music co. Cutting Records Inc. and Cutting Records Music (ASCAP). Calliste served as Vice President of the indie label and music publishing co., Director of national Retail and Director of National Radio Promotions, and head of legal where he worked closely with attorneys to draft and negotiate all contracts. He also shared the labels artist curating as director of artist repertoire (A&R). In 1984 Calliste officially registered his music publishing co. Hashim Music at A.S.C.A.P.
The same label and music publisher’s that published, licensed, manufactured, distributed, promoted, and sold “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” and many other titles. Cutting Records garnered multiple R.I.A.A. gold and platinum hits by various artists and developed two Grammy nominated Latino artists.
THE SOUL
Mr. Jerry Calliste Jr. a.k.a. “Calliste“, p.k.a. Hashim is a “living legend” in the global music industry. A trendsetter, music mogul, innovator, highly influential songwriter, producer and recording artist since the early 80’s and a recipient of multiple Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awards.
In 1983, the 17 year old, self taught keyboardist Calliste, wrote and co-produced the seminal Electro Hip-Hop classic song, “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” or as most DJ’s say, “Its Time”. Close to 40 years have past and “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” collectively sold multi-platinum, an estimated +2.5 million units. Around the world, Hashim’s music inspires the world’s top breakdancers, pop-lockers, top DJ’s and producers and many performing artists. Hashim’s “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” or as DJ’s say, “Its Time” is widely sampled and licensed on over 150 plus “Best Of”, “Critical”, “Classic” music compilations and appears on multiple independent and major labels in many countries a globally respected “must have” DJ anthem.
WE’RE ROCKING THE PLANET
Calliste recognizes the 1983 Electro Hip-Hop classic, “Rockit” by producer Bill Laswell, legendary artist Herbie Hancock and Davy DMX as likely the first Electro Hip-Hop tune, but adds, “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” also merged electronic and Hip-Hop music to arguably spawn the musical genre ‘Electro Hip-hop’. Today Hashim’s songs rack up millions and millions of views and streams on YouTube, Spotify, Pandora and other services.
Calliste, or Hashim’s “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” a.k.a. “It’s Time” is licensed by Dr. Dre and Universal Pictures for “Straight Outta Compton” and Universal Music for the soundtrack, The Rock’s HBO series “Ballers“, episode 6 “Everything is Everything”, the legendary producer and music mogul Rick Rubin for the DefJam 30 Year Anniversary, the illustrious Diplo for Fabric 24 Live (London) mix tape, David Guetta’s “Just A Little More Love“, Fatboy Slim for EA Sports FIFA 13, So You Think You Can Dance, Tech N9ne “Don’t Nobody Want None“, ESPN ESPY’S (2016), Rockstar Games GTA: Vice City, Red Bull Music Academy, Activision Blizzard and many more.
Listen to “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” and “We’re Rocking The Planet”, view his Discography with over 150 licensing deals and appearances on popular video games, traditional and cable TV shows, commercials and movie soundtracks. Discography.
PRIMROSE PATH
Born and raised Catholic, attended Catholic school, church every Sunday and in 1980 at 15 years old after his first year of high school, Calliste voluntarily converted to Islam.
By 2001, Calliste launched a second independent record label, Bassmint Music Inc. (See Hugel. W. 2005. “Find New Music in Bassmint”. The Lantern. Web: article) and Caldella Music a music publisher member of A.S.C.A.P. (2004). By 2005 he launched a business advisory in stealth mode. By 2009 Calliste launched a live and video-on-demand streaming service.
Calliste occasionally advises entertainment media startup entrepreneurs and entertainers. He participates on boards of directors, economic opinion panels and donates to select political campaigns. Mr. Calliste is a former GOP conservative, he left the party decades ago and now claims Conservative Independent political affiliation. Mr. Calliste believes it’s time America develop a third political Independent party.
TIP OF THE ICEBERG
Visit Who is Calliste? and Media + Press to learn more about this business leader who influenced millions of people worldwide with his music, his entrepreneurial business acumen and community service.
SOCIAL SHORTCUTS
(Twitter: @CALLISTE Facebook: @OfficialCalliste Instagram: @OfficialCalliste) (Twitter: @OFFICIAL_HASHIM (Instagram: @Theofficialhashim)
SANTORINI ISLAND IS KALLISTE ISLAND
Little known fact: Calliste (Kalliste) is the original name of the stunningly beautiful Greek island Santorini. The Phoenicians in 1330 BC originally named the island Kalliste.