After making his name as a pioneer in the field of gangster rap|, Priority chief Brian Turner is looking homeward in his search for talent. The Winnipeg, Manitoba-born rap impresario announced that Priority will distribute Choclair's debut album. The Toronto emcee was initial was signed to a domestic deal by Virgin Canada.

Turner made the announcement Saturday, during a Canadian Music Week panel discussion in Toronto. "We are going to take Choclair to the States and release him on Priority," said Turner during the panel.

Currently the 24-year-old March 97 Unsigned Hype winner is enjoying success with his white label single "Flagrant," which is #4 on the Gavin rap chart, #1 on Hits, and #2 on Urban Network. The record has become a college radio staple and is receiving spins on influential commercial mix-shows on stations such as Power 106 in Los Angeles and New York's Hot 97.

Choclair, who was featured on Payday's New York Reality Check 101, has always had an underground following. Turner aims to build on that. "I want to maintain his appeal," he said, "[and] blow him up in the States. Potentially we want to get Choclair with some of the acts that are with our label. He's get something with Buckshot of Black Moon [on his album]."

Turner said there might be separate singles for Canada and the U.S., because "we are going to pick something that has a shot in the States."

Choclair, who is one of the few the Canadian rappers with an American deal, sees the importance of his music reaching American ears. "I know it will open up the door and make sure Canadian artists have international releases."