Kwalified Emcee was born Kevin Richie, Jr. in San Diego, California. He comes from a musical family as his father went to college on a band scholarship and his mother played piano and sang in the concert choir.Kevin first began experimenting with freestyling at age 7. Soon afterwards, Kevin and his family relocated to Hawaii due to his father being in the Navy. Kevin grew up in Hawaii and still kept his love for music. At age 15, Kevin began performing with local hip hop group, Big Break. After performing with Big Break for abouit 5 years, Kevin linked up with high school friend, Jon Sucaldito (JonCozy) and new friend Christian Viernes (RockZa) and The Ill Hill Society was born.Since then Kevin, or Kwalified as he is now better known, has performed with The Ill Hill Society, was the front man of live hip hop band, R-U-N and has released a solo project with another on the way. Kwalified is known for his high energy performances and always gives his all to have the best show possible. Fans will always be entertained. Discography: ...On Beats We Wish We Made...-The Ill Hill Society 2009 The Kevin Arnold EP - Solo Release 2009 Rap Better - The Ill Hill Society 2011 Are YOU In? - R-U-N 2011 Songs For Listening - Solo Release 2012 Blacklisted & Blackballed - The Black Baldwins 2012