If you missed Choclair at the Upper Deck on Thursday, June 1st, then you missed an amazing event! Last year, Choclair became the first Canadian rapper to sign an American record deal. This pole-vaulted his career to the international level. After touring Western Canada with Rahzel in late '99, he proceeded to tour Ontario, then the United States and finally off to Europe. Late May of 2000, saw Choclair return from this tour back to his roots in Canada. And it was only a matter of days before he fulfilled a statement that he made to me in an interview back in December of 1999. He came on tour to Fredericton and put on a live perform that I will NOT soon forget!

Becoming the first rapper to perform in Fredericton since Maestro Fresh Wes back in 1987, Choclair did not disappoint. The night began with performances by members of the 44N/63W project out of Halifax. The 44N / 63W project members in attendance included: Ground Squad, Shy Luv, Bonshah and Tro Biz. The four members of Ground Squad took to stage first and incited a groove feel from the crowd. But the icing on their act, was none other than the amazing Shy Luv. With her two-faced style, lacing gangsta and R&B lyrical throw downs left my head swirling. Watch out for this lady, she's got a video coming out in July for her single entitled either "I'm a Baller" or "I'm a playa." Either way, I know it's gonna be hot. The opening acts concluded with performances by Bonshah and Tro Biz. The best lines from these Halifax groups had to be: "drink, drink, we drunk, we drunk, drunk" coining Tha Alkaholiks and the party-laced track "Back That Shit," possibly a take-off of Juvenile's "Back That Azz."

Then came Choclair's entrance. The man himself only a mere few feet away. Accompanied by Canadian rapper sidekick, Solitair and the amazing DJ extraordinaire Lee Roy Brown, Choclair opened up with "Ice Cold" proceeded through an array of tracks off his album, threw in some of his old tracks including "What It Takes." He then proceeded to do some karaoke, flowing lyrically over some of the hottest old skool and new skool beats. Choclair finally concluded with his hit "Let's Ride" and a portion of the Rascalz's smash hit "Northern Touch." At which point I thought the night had ended, but my delight had only just begun. With Choclair on the sidelines chatting with the crowd, DJ Lee Roy Brown took center stage pumping up the dance party atmosphere by throwing on all the hottest joints. The vinyl was burning with Lee Roy Brown mixing up hits ranging from "Nuthin But A G Thang", "Da Rockwilder", "Whoa", "Xxplosive", "The Real Slim Shady" and a ton more.

Although the night was one of the most amazing of my life, I felt Choclair's crowd participation was less than that of his counterparts. He seemed at times tired, but maybe it was just because he was slightly inebriated. Nonetheless his performance was amazing and thoroughly enjoyed by myself. Afterwards, I chatted with Choclair and in the process, I asked Choclair if he received the response he had hoped for from the Fredericton crowd. His response was simple and to the point: "I loved this crowd!" Also, I should mention that his new video, "Rubbin'" is in heavy rotation on MuchMusic and is a scintillating single.

If you enjoy hip hop, then I hope you made it out to see Choclair at the Upper Deck. If you missed him, then take his often praised advice, and contact your local promoters demanding to hear Choclair live. It's an experience you won't soon forget, I know I won't!