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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."