CHOCLAIR
"is it me or is it my personality that makes you all envious ..."
Call it fate. Kareem Blake, the prolific artist known to most as Choclair, began rhyming after being inspired at a house
party. His brother was on the mic and Choclair was inclined to bless the crowd with his lyrics. In the decade since then,
Choclair has made a name for himself on the strength of his skill. Naming himself was actually an illustration of his
ladies' man reputation; it is no wonder he has been called the "sexual chiznocker". While in the tenth grade, Choclair was
talking to a girl and freestyled to gain her affection. "I lowered my voice like Barry White and said 'I'm Choclair, light
as air'". The charm was evident, the name stuck, and the flow just kept getting better. First heard by the world on a
KneeDeep Records' b-side, Choclair's prodigious rhyme skill and mild-mannered charm have long been finding their way to
speakers and ears. Fans from around the world are privy to his smooth ryhming abilities and lyrical mastery.
"Going one on one with Choclair will make you famous..."
We could call it the "ill" flow. Choclair’s flow has been recognized across a multitude of borders. From the 1997 Juno
for Best Rap Recording to the Canadian Urban Music Award for Best Male Hip Hop Single, his singles have consistently charted
at #1 across Canada and the U.S. In 1998 he was bestowed with one of the greatest compliments in hip hop when his voice was
sampled by DJ Premier, Gang Starr's legendary producer, for their single "You Know My Steez" (The lead-off from Gang
Starr's US Gold album Moment of Truth). Add to this a 1998 Juno as part of the entourage who created the nation's rap
anthem "Northern Touch" and it's easy to see why his mother's house in a T-dot O-dot (Toronto) suburb is teeming with
awards.
When he was spotlighted in The Source's Unsigned Hype section in June 1997, his lyrical flow was paralleled to intellectual
rhymers Ras Kass and Common. Chocs has since received similar acclaim on the pages of VIBE, Rap Pages, URB, Trace, HHC
and several other well-respected mainstream publications.
It was these feats coupled with a talent that shines on record and on stage that led to Choclair signing with Virgin Music
Canada. The signing makes him one of the first Canadian hip hop artists to be signed to a major label and the first to
receive a U.S. release (Priority Records). When it was announced at the Canadian Urban Music Awards the entire audience
gave Choclair and Virgin Music representatives a standing ovation.
"You can either try to join us or run from us..."
Not only does Ice Cold feature the best of Canada's hip hop elite (including fellow Circle members Saukrates, Kardinal
Offishall, Solitair and Jully Black along with the Rascalz, and K-Cut of Main Source), a few American rap heavyweights were
enlisted. On "Bare Witness" he trades verses with veteran MC Guru (of Gang Starr), a track that proves that "it doesn't
matter where you're from, if you're good, you're good." The collaboration with Memphis Bleek on "Never Gonna Stop" forewarns
the potency of these lyrical young guns, and Choclair goes head-to-head with the always interesting Ol' Dirty Bastard on
"Suave Dirt Dogs".
In March '99, Chocs once again proved his widespread appeal by charting #1 on the HITS Rap Radio Top 30 with the infectious,
uncompromising "Flagrant" - beating out commercially-acclaimed artists such as Nas and Eminem - while simultaneously holding
the #2 spots on the Gavin and the Urban Network Rap Charts.
Ice Cold's bouncy first single, "Let's Ride", highlights Choclair's smooth delivery and will soon become the next club
anthem. "Riding is your mentality, it's how you hold yourself, how you float," he says. "When I say 'Let's Ride', I'm
asking you to come and do your thing."
Ice Cold. Chock-full of pummeling beats, daring production and honest, witty lyricism. For the talented Choclair, this
is only the beginning. Call it fate. Call it the ill flow. Call it a Circle thing. Call it Choclair.
Ice Cold, Choclair's debut album will be released in Canada by Virgin Records on November 2nd 1999 and in the US on
Priority Records in early 2000.
* from Choclair.net.
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