No one would have imagined it then, but the journey that shaped one of California’s illest and most sought-after emcees began quietly in the early 90’s with a kid growing up in Gardena, CA, down the street from the Roadium Swap Meet.. The same Roadium Swap Meet where much of the foundation of Los Angeles hip-hop was laid. The same Roadium where Eazy-E and Dr. Dre were first introduced where DJ Quik and Ice-T sold their earliest albums, and where much of the seminal rap from the East Coast was first introduced to L.A. listeners. As a young boy, Kahlee would wait for his older brothers and sisters to come home from the Roadium, and secretly dub the cassettes they had picked up. It was from those dubbed cassettes that Kahlee was introduced to early L.A. rap, as well as other artists like the Beastie Boys, RUN DMC, Brand Nubian and others. Studying lyricism in all its forms, Kahlee first discovered his own abilities as a lyricist and crowd-rocker while freestyling at parties when he was still in high school. Quickly becoming addicted to the feeling of twisting words and hyping crowds, he decided to begin approaching his art form more seriously. In 2002, Kahlee joined forces with two other talented artists on the rise, linking with fellow emcee Vizualz and DJ/producer A.N.T.I. to form the Literates. The “Litz” quickly made a name for themselves in the L.A. underground scene, gaining huge appeal amongst graffiti writers, thugs, backpackers and others. After performing with some of the biggest names in hip-hop (Cypress Hill, Dilated Peoples, Dead Prez, Snoop Dogg, Psycho Realm, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Kotton Mouth Kings, Mobb Deep), the Literates released their debut project, the “Unspoken” EP, in 2005. “Unspoken” – which included the hit single “City of Angels (feat. Sen Dog of Cypress Hill)” – was greeted with high praise from both fans and critics, and earned the Literates the award for “Album of the Year” at the 2006 Los Angeles Music Awards as well as numerous nominations including; “Hip Hop Artists of the Year” & “Songwriter of the Year.” After earning a reputation as one of the West Coast’s dopest live performers and lyricists, Kahlee directed his energies towards creating his debut solo album, titled “Man of Many Hats.” The solo LP reflects Kahlee’s maturation as an artist, and is a diverse mixture of songs ranging from serious life lessons and personal experiences, to good ol’ party music. Kahlee enlists a roster of talented West Coast producers, including DJ Ace from Rhyme Poetic Mafia (Ice-T, Sen Dog, Dogg Pound), Nameles, the Seoul Avenger, and the Literates’ own A.N.T.I., who combine to build an album of bangers from beginning to end. In addition, Kahlee recruited the help of other top-notch emcees, including Free Speech, Knowa Laz (Q-York), I.Sheik (Revolution of the Mind) and Stones Throw recording artists Wildchild (Lootpack). “Man of Many Hats” offers something for everyone who appreciates true hip-hop. The title reflects much more than the number of L.A. Dodger New Era caps hanging from Kahlee’s wall. It reflects the many styles and sides of this deeply creative emcee, hustler and hip-hop aficionado. In his brief time as a solo artist, Kahlee has already shared the stage with some of the most esteemed acts in the world of hip-hop, including KRS-One, Redman, Raekwon (Wu-Tang Clan), Joell Ortiz, Murs, Eligh & the Grouch, Aceyalone, Canibus and others. Kahlee is a master wordsmith whose innovative concepts and relatable topics are appreciated by a diverse base of listeners, his passion is conveyed through every rhyme he projects. In addition to being a refined songwriter, Kahlee places the utmost emphasis on his live performances, viewing them as opportunities to create a deeper connection with his listeners. He consistently delivers energy and stage presence to every venue/event that he rocks. Unlike too many of his contemporaries, he has truly earned the title of “Master of Ceremonies.” Whether selling merchandise at a show, connecting with fans on-line, or passing out flyers on the street, Kahlee is always on the grind. He firmly believes that building contacts with DJ’s/promoters and utilizing all forms of traditional and new media are key to finding success as an independent artist. Kahlee has recently turned his attention toward finding non-traditional mediums for his music, such as video games, ring tones and commercials. He recorded a single entitled “War” for the upcoming soundtrack/theatrical release of the motion picture “Days of Wrath,” starring Laurence Fishburne, Wilmer Valderrama and others. The track will serve as the theme song for the film about a racially-fueled gang war in Los Angeles. Not content to confine his talent to California, Kahlee has actively sought to expand his fan base through promotions and live performances in Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Mexico. Keeping his eyes open and his ear to the street, Kahlee continues to deepen his understanding of how to work the angles in all aspects of the game. Experience is truly the best teacher, and Kahlee embraces every lesson available.