]]> http://choklateonline.com/news.html#14 Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Official Site - Choklate - http://choklateonline.com/news.html#13 On The Verge Presents:
THE HUSTLE HARD TOUR '07
Featuring CHOKLATE
with special guest PETER HADAR

Seattle-based soul recording artist Choklate returns to the East Coast in March 2007 for her first official East Coast Performance Tour.

Since emerging onto the scene in 2006, Choklate quickly became the fastest selling independent new soul artist of the year. She gained national and international acclaim for her 2006 self-titled debut CD and has been highly recognized and supported by world famous tastemakers Garth Trinidad (Los Angeles) and Gilles Peterson (UK). As a debut artist Choklate was nominated for SoulTrack.com's Vocalist Of The Year Award and her CD was recently selected as one of six HoneySoul.com's best albums of 2006.

The sound that we have come to know and love, now coined "Choklate Music," is a modern, mature R&B sound with an edgy hip hop influence, sprinkled with contemporary jazz textures and wrapped around Choklate's irresistibly soulful vocal styling. To sum it up "Choklate Music" is infectious soul music with every lyric written from the heart and soul of a young lady who is on a worldwide quest to spread a movement in soul music to everyone whose ears are ready for it.

Choklate's music has graced various compilations this year such as 'Kajmere Sound Vol 1' (Kajmere), 'Midnight Soul Vol 3' (Kinky Sweet) and Gilles Peterson's latest compilation 'Brownswood Bubblers' (Brownswood). Her robust, trademark vocals can also be heard on tracks by De La Soul's Butta Verses, Blacksheep, Supernatural, Boom Bap Project, Gift of Gab and Breakestra to name a few.

During her successful promotional tour in September 2006, Choklate spent two weeks on the East Coast familiarizing herself with the region for the first time as well as connecting with those who have been in support of the journey. The Seattle soulstress is now ready to return to the East Coast to give soul music lovers the live shows that they have been "Waitin" for and requesting.

The Hustle Hard 07' Tour is presented by onthe-verge.com (VA) in association with The Apache Café (ATL), SheWorks Entertainment (DC), Critical Breakdown and Project Hip Hop (Boston), Sob's Sol Village (NYC), Choklate Music and Obese (Seattle). The tour will reach 5 East Coast cities to include Atlanta, Virginia, D.C., Boston and New York from March 10 thru March 21. And on March 25 the tour will wrap up with a special finale show in Choklate's hometown of Seattle at the famous Triple Door featuring one of her favorite R&B singers, Eric Roberson, who will debut his massive talent to the NW region.

The shows (excluding Boston and NYC) will also include special guest soul artist Peter Hadar. Peter is a new and exciting male soul artist emerging out of New York City. He is making his own noise with a brand of sexy electro-soul and riding the wave of his 2006 debut release entitled "Memories Of The Heart" on his own Cool Weirdo Music label. Peter has worked with and written for commercial artists like Chante Moore, Carl Thomas and Joe. Peter Hadar also co-wrote 'We Can't Pretend', a song for Eric Roberson's 2005 "Appetizer" CD. Most recently Peter has been touring with Dwele, Raheem Devaughn and Eric Roberson.

So please make sure to spread the word as this tour is sure to be a wonderful experience for any and everyone in attendance.

In the meantime, for interview requests, press inquiries, artist images, booking inquiries contact management@choklateonline.com

For more artist and tour info go to:

Choklatemusic.com

Myspace.com/listen2chok

Peterhadar.com

Myspace.com/peterhadar

Onthe-verge.com

Myspace.com/onthevergeonline]]> http://choklateonline.com/news.html#13 Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Official Site - Choklate - http://choklateonline.com/news.html#12 ]]> http://choklateonline.com/news.html#12 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800 Official Site - Choklate - http://choklateonline.com/news.html#11
I'm all excited...on top of that my own city has a best of and I may get a nod there as well...or so the rumor is...

Well anyhow! I'm postin the blog to tell the folks bout it and hopefully you'll find a lil time to check a lil lady out...

One of my faves Eric Roberson is nominated too...that's who I voted for..thank God he isn't a girl or I'd have had to vote for him over myself (chuckle).

So I hope your havin an ill day and please forward this lil tidbit to your friends and family and see if we can't get lotsa folks to vote and maybe I could even win even maybe eh?
Alright now I'mma get on back to ma' business for the day...

PS: Thanks to Verizon (Seattle Chapter) for the dopest Choklate party last night. That was load of fun...

Here's the link:

http://www.soultracks.com/awards.htm

Go getchur vote on folks...
Peace out!
Choko]]> http://choklateonline.com/news.html#11 Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 Official Site - Choklate - http://choklateonline.com/news.html#10
I finally made it to the crib... but I'm ahead of myself...the last few days in Tokyo were pretty kewl. I was a lil homesick so not as enjoyable had I not been missin my own bed and bathtub as much as I was. But awesome nonetheless.

Our last night was a blast! The tired exhausted, balls out kind but we did it and it was kewl... We rocked the last two shows and did a full say 30 minute encore...geese...Miles is one hard workin man when it comes to this music and shows...but the crowd was up on their feet and REALLY partying with us so to our dismay he called the full encore and we groaned and pulled it out of our freshly bidet'd butts...found out everyone used that thing...even me...(chuckle) check the blog before this one if you have no idea what I'm talkin bout.

Then we went to this club where Miles spun records all night long and we danced and danced to death. Miles spins as a dj real nyce. We met up with some other folks and then plodded out into the daylight and walked to another bar where we continued having sweet 'breakfast' drinks and it felt like the night and a party startin all over again.

This time we emmerged into full blown sunlight and the city had a whole different beat as we headed home. The tall building of the inner cities streets along with those making their way to trains had me in a bit of an awed state. Tokyo is like it's own lil world.

I haven't partied that hard in a long time. We took folks home and all stayed up sittin indian style runnin our mouths till we passed out. There was nothin left to do but get up and head downstairs to the sushi bar and get to grubbin. SO after a quick nap that's exactly what we did.

Now I'd not eatin any sushi the whole time because I knew it would all be sushimi and I was scared cause I like smoked salmon but that's as good as it gets with me. But I couldn't be all the way cross the globe in a place that originated our western version of sushi and not have any! So I partook and I LOOOOOOVED it! I know for some of you that's really gross but get off it. I actually like sushi. It's an acquired taste for some but once you get into it and all it's really full flavors and colors...well I jus plane ol like the stuff...and I don't have to explain it. But the sushimi there kills the sushimi here...by far.

Anyway. My last day was great but BOI!!! Am I glad to be back at the crib!!!!! Whoooo hooooo! After an overnight stay in LA wit the homegurl Tiff and a mad dash to the airport to catch the next available flight out I'm at home headed straight to rehearsal, to get me some sushi and then straight to work from 11p-7a and then to work again the next mornin at 11a-8p and THEN I'll get to sleep...

Peace out.

Choklate]]> http://choklateonline.com/news.html#10 Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 Official Site - Choklate - http://choklateonline.com/news.html#9
We arrived on the first after about 13 or so hours of flight activity and checked into the Hilton downtown Nagoya. I officially hadn't eaten in about a day or two at this point with all the hustle and bustle. The lil meals I did get to munch were plane and junk so it wasn't really weighing in on the nutritional side of things.

I immediately got out into the breezy humid night and stomped the ground till I was too tired. I ended up, not understanding the conversion rate yet, spending $50 somethin bucks on Hard Rock Cafe....Ouch...I made sure to understand it after that. But once I got it then it's straight hustle and that's what it's been. It's easy to get and stack chips over here. The hustle in me likes it.

Our first engagement is at a place called The Blue Note, those of you up on your musical history know bout these places from NYC...the crowd was small but they got into it. The first show...oh yeah...it's two hour and 15 minutes sets a night...or somethin like that...WORK! But anyway! The first set is kinda mello and we rock it but the second show of the night is outstanding and the audience is really up dancing and into it. I love the folks here. They are soooo nice and they make it really easy to be a sweety pie. You know how you might wanna be sweet to somebody but they just end up makin you wanna smack'm? Well these folks are yummy as honey cake and easy as heck to get to lovin on, I'll tell ya that.

I go to an afterhours spot with some brothas I'd met earlier and we get to hear this really awesome band. Because of who I showed up with the people were really nice and Moet came to the table steadily...it's alright...but I don't see what the big deal bout it is.
I end up getting to the stage and jamming out a song with the band and the brotha on the drums is ill wit it. Really professional but while we were improving...cause that's my thing right?...I sang about being free and teased that I could tell he was holding back so he got real loose wit it for me and tore up the house. Shot out to Doc. Dre from ATL here in Japan workin it out.

Check out was earlier today at bout noon or so and we took the train to Osaka. A busy lil city with lotsa colors. Our hotel here is called the Hanshin Hotel and it's ludicris. Totally over the top. Our view is panoramic of the whole city. The ammenities they have are just way too much for any one head to contemplate. Trust me. It's just too luxurious. I stay out of the room cause I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'm bout to conk out soon as I post this though. Yeah...it's 2am here and bout 10a or so back at the crib so I'm all disconbobulated...is that how you spell that? Anyway...jus to give you an idea of what I mean by ludicris...they have a bodet....yeah a bodet and other lil buttons that make the actual simple version of the bodet seem like a childs toy. For those of you who don't know a bodet is a toilet with a button you can push that showers your intimate parts while your readin a mag on the porcelain princes face...get it? Yeah it's nutts.

ANYHOW! We played at the Blue Note here in Osake and once again the first crowd was kewl and cream cheese but the second crowd was in it to win it. I keep runnin out into the crowd and audience as soon as the show is over cause I want the people to really pinch my skin and see me like a regular ol gal. They seem so in awe at times that I just wanna hug'm and say...NO! Im just a regular person...relax...lets get a drink or somethin...what do you do for a livin? Or like...that hat is hella dope or that dress or shirt or your hair is pretty...ya know? We all humans and got somethin to experience and feel from one another. No one person is better than another because of their profession or profile ya know?

So one of the workers had really kewl hair and in between the two shows tonite I braided up his hair. He was just the cutest lil thing. I wanted to fold him up, shove'm in my back pocket and take'm home. But instead I offered to braid his hair and he allowed me and really liked it. Took my all of about 30 minutes and so it was really satisfying to give somethin like that and he appreciated it. Givin is a kewl thing to me. I really like it.
So the dopeest part of that is that he had these hella ill addidas that were all the colors of the sun and he gave'm to me to say thank you. They're hecka dope. Thanks beautiful spirit at Blue Note. I'll not soon forget you if ever.

I'm sportin them fresh addeedaaahs SOON as I get to the crib.

I'm at the hotel...got through another two. Partied too hard last night so tonites gig was a real challenge. I don't know where that energy came from but thank the heavens for it. I just wanna do my job and do it well. I'm bout to crash out! Yay!!!!!

Thanks for keepin up wit me. Means a lot.

Peace and Light from Osaka Japan...
See ya's all real...

Soon,

Choklate]]> http://choklateonline.com/news.html#9 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 Official Site - Choklate - http://choklateonline.com/news.html#8 Choklate’s Break Down of The Beatsmiths Responsible For Her Latest CD
By Choklate
[Editors note: The singer Choklate recently released a self-titled CD that featured music from some of the most talented and famous producers in the scene. This is her account of what it was like to work with the best that Seattle has to offer.]
So I recently was afforded the opportunity to release a full length record into the world. The release date was this past May. In all honesty, it has been a challenging and interesting journey since then and I have to say that Seattle has showed me a support I’d never expected to receive. Before all that tho, there were some producers who made sure that I had the canvas with which to paint this beautiful portrait that shows the colors and layers of the last few years of my life. First of all a heartfelt thanks is in order to Vitamin D (Executive and Creative Director), Jake One, BeanOne, Kuddie Mak, Jay Townsend and Amos Miller. Without you the light that is being received would not be.
Here is a down to the button description of my truth about each of them”¦
~ Choklate
Vitamin D
(Produced six tracks, Co-produced three more, recorded, engineered and mixed the entire project)
Vitamin D connects with music on a level that I’ve never experienced with ANYone else. I call him ”˜my dumbo’ in reference to the ears that he’s been blessed with. He’s not a singer nor does he play instruments, or so he’ll contend, adamantly, but I’m a believer that he hears and can convey ideas and harmonies in perfect pitch, and that is a rare gift for any musician/singer/beatmaker. His connections exists audibly. I’ve been afforded the opportunity to work with a few dope producers and artist since this record dropped and I gotta be real with myself in that there is no one more suitable for me, my voice, the way that I hear, see and respect music than Vita to continue to create, grow and morph with, musically. I’ve learned soooo much about music, life, love, different era’s in the industry, the history and evolution of so many different genre’s, sounds, the art of sampling, the art of struggle, the art of actually living the creation etc. He shares it with the whole of the Seattle scene selflessly if they are open to it. I’m sure we all hope to create with him for life. Forreal.
Jake One
(Produced “Incredible” and “Long Way”)
Jake One is just a ”˜ghost’ of a supporter. It’s always been that way. He’s not always there in your face but he’s rather pops up right when you need what he’s got. He’s always givin’ great advice, in a real calm and Zen like voice that helps put and keep things in perspective. He’s been extremely successful, considering the time between now and when I first met him. He has the industry ties, deals and situations in place that solidify his longevity, so long as he creates the music, that he already does with such ease, consistently. With my novice understanding, you just don’t get higher than that in the game as a hip hop beatmaker, solely. Jake often has a real hood thread throughout his music and lately has been drivin my creative mind nutts with a new 70’s disco feel to some of the tracks. I’m really excited to explore them. He gives the gritty, gangsta beats to challenge my writing. He exposes the brash and sometimes boastful character. It is there”¦he knows it and he digs for it. He can really come with creations that feel like a second skin and trigger thoughts and concepts like ”˜Incredible’. He’s also sent a few tracks before, that I record a hook to and when the time, project and artist is right, as far as a collaboration, for who he knows I am and represent, he’ll make sure it happens. Case and point: The latest Parker Bro’s mixtape. The collab between that group and I was constructed solely by him (and Dow Jones). It was an executive look. I’ll always work with him. He’s just got what it takes. For him to still be accessible is a blessing for Seattle. I never expect him to pick up when I call or get back so quickly and he does everytime. I know he’s busy, so I’m grateful to him for remaining down to earth and real with us, and I love his wifey, Rowena, too, she’s a real dollbaby.
Jay Townsend
(Produced Intro Track: “Thank You”)
Jay Townsend is a genius. He’s the only other person beside Vitamin D, that I’ve worked with lately, that can hear things that I don’t hear while I’m recording, correct and then point me in the right direction. He’s a really innovative vocalist, so the creativity between us is simply wonderful for me. Whereas the other producers are literal beatmakers with ears that guide them to other sound bites that make their beats translate more like music audibly, this dude is a solid musician and can play multiple instruments and come up with crazy intricate harmonies. I wish I could work with him all the time, truthfully. Working with him showed me a softer more fluid side of my voice, a sweeter ”˜Choklate’. A side of vocal ability that I didn’t think I could achieve. He’s a great coach of emotion, flawless and seamless performance. He can make you sound like you really got it, even if you don’t and not by using a ”˜pitching tool’ either but rather by appealing to your working style and vocal ability. I’ve seen him do it with some real tough cases. He taught me a lot about my voice and it’s capabilities. I’ll be working with him again. For sure.
Amos Miller
(Produced “Heavy”)
Amos is a kewl guy. Period. Sometimes too kewl. What’s interesting is that while he’s learning and growing and always trying to make sure to give back to the city and it’s musicians and artist, he remains comfortably consistant with his ambition toward getting ”˜on’. He doesn’t mind employing the most unique artists and situations to make the scene pop. Rumor is that he, Vita and Piece are heading up the resurgence of Seattles beloved Jumbalaya with lots of new twist’s and treats. It’s gonna be great to see those masterminds at work on the stage in the improv setting again. The track he did on the record was picked from a beat CD that had been playing in Sals’ Barbershop one morning while I was at the side hustle, braidin someone’s hair and it caught me instantly. That track was a needed element for this record. By element I mean that dark, ”˜ol gangsta feel, that’s the Scarface beat of the record, sorrowful and sweet but hard at the same time. So many emotions are caught up in that peice for me. Those sides of me that reveal that there’s an understanding for things that just can’t be and just are and the atmosphere that translates to knowledge of that squad of soldiers behind me who strongly advise others to tread lightly are all expressed through the sounds on that song. Amos seems to truly be one that loves music and gets great joy from the art of creating and being innovative. He’s about his business too. He leaves no rock unturned. He makes sure that he dots his I’s and crosses his T’s and that he’s navigating his own lane. Ame’s a kewl guy. Period.
Bean One
(Produced “Never Change” and “Whenever”)
Bean One has that urgent energy that I love working with, especially when things get kinda slow. He works with what he’s got and we encourage one anothers hustle. He’s a dorkwad like me, so we get to spaz out and be goofy while we work. Crampy stomachs from laughin’ too hard are often a part of the sessions, and there are times when we have to discipline ourselves and get back to being focused. We are kindred Aquarian spirits and to have that friendship is a dope aspect of the creative process. There are times when he’ll call and I’ll be having a bad day and he’ll say something real off the wall and have me crackin up. He makes me give those gut laughs and enjoys understanding my load and attempting to lighten it. He’s a thoughtful person and one that lives and deals knowing that music will come and go but that real life and real friendships and understanding them are imperative to survival. He’s crazy dope. Suanjay, (he and his wife, Benita’s son) is going to truly be a character. I can’t wait to see that manifest. BeanOnes beats are a true testament of his drive and ambition. He makes them because he knows that despite his affection for the lazy side of life that he HAS to make them to survive. It’s his hustle, the one that he loves dearly. He’s the one in the dungeon all night cookin that crack and not sleepin till it’s all sold. He’s currently the hands behind Dres of Blacksheeps newest solo and joint records. A host of cuts on Jurrasic 5’s newest endeavor and he also is to be credited for De La Soul’s spit artist Butta Verses latest release. These projects being completed and being released are a testament to his dedication, discipline and productivity. Respect is due.
Kuddie Mak
(Produced “Love It” and “Getting is Good”)
Kuddie is my family. So we fight, bicker, laugh and crack jokes—you know how family is. So it’s hard to talk about WORKING with him cause I know him outside of music. We’re blood. I’ve lived life right alongside him so it’s different in that way with him for me. He’s the West Coast hood champ. Providing a slew of beats that all have the sound quality of any artist desires. He’s the hood champ. Makin the beats that make sure you move feet. He’s produced for tons of West Coast artists and continues to have that liquid Left Coast sound and feel on lock. He digs deep to make beats for R&B/Soul artists. Thus ”˜Getting is Good’. He wouldn’t give me a random beat cd and say ”˜”¦pick”¦’ He always makes sure that I know that he understands the beat of my soul. Real talk. The song ”˜Long Way’ was inspired by him. The first verse says”¦’I remember when, we was just little kids, bangin on the pots and pans, bout to get it by both our mothers”¦’ That was me and Kuddie back in the day on the kitchen floor in our San Diego home makin racket. I used to play the broom (guitar) and he played pots and pans (drums)”˜”¦Oh I know we had it rough, sometimes all we had was us, even when they split us up, I saw you and I see you now and you’ve come such a long way”¦’ That’s real. Kuddie know’s the truth of that song. We come from scraps, despite what it may seem to whomever is looking. We’ve fought a lot of hard times and a rough life to make it this far with our sanity. He’s a real miracle. I love him. I’d kill for him. I’d beat a broad to pulp for him. He knows it. That’s my family. Not just ”˜fam’. That is my FAMILY. Nuff said.

Check out these beatmakers and myself at the following links:
Choklate: www.choklateonline.com or www.myspace.com/listen2chok
Kuddie Mak: www.myspace.com/kuddiemusic
Vitamin D: www.myspace.com/tallhomie206
Jay Townsend: www.myspace.com/jaytownsend
Jake One: www.myspace.com/jakeone
BeanOne: www.myspace.com/beanone76
Amos Miller: http://www.artscorps.org/who/bios.html#Amos%20Miller]]> http://choklateonline.com/news.html#8 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700 Official Site - Choklate -