The Soulcialista: A Taste of Choklate

To Whom It May Concern....

On May 11th, Gypsy Soul hosted "Connected with Choklate" at Teavolve - a meet and greet with down-to-earth, too cool for school, singing sensation, Choklate! Fans were presented with the unique opportunity to talk with Choklate, buy a copy of her cd and listen as DJ Phaze played songs from her new album, "To Whom it May Concern" which comes out next week - May 19th!

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Choklate - who I nominate as the winner for having the most contagious energy I have ever experienced!

If you've ever had the task of interviewing someone, then you would understand the frustration in asking a question, getting a one word reply, and then forcing your "victim" for more information.

Not with Choklate, the baby of 7 and former pots and pans performer, as she was clearly comfortable in her skin and very easy to talk to about A N Y T H I N G!

With a passion for horeseback riding, a degree in nursing, AND experience in graphic design and office management, music was an epiphany that she could not ignore. And no one around her would let her! ''If I stopped everyone would cuss me out! So i kept going!" And aren't we glad she did?!

She jokes about having a deep voice, but there is nothing manly about her sultry vocals which she showcases over progressive beats and real-life lyric s resulting in an amazing blend of R&B, jazz, and soul music that is sweet to the ears!

Choklate released her first album in 2006 and since then has been awarded opportunites to open for Boyz II Men, Anthony David, Raheem Devaughn, Eric Roberson and Dwele.

As she prepares for her 2009 release, To Whom it May Concern, Choklate admits that as an artist she has increased in confidence in being able to "bear the truth" and express herself and her views on what is best for her and her thriving career.

As a woman, the past 3 years have enabled Choklate to grew more spiritually. "God is not an Indian-giver," Choklate said smiling as she expressed how everything happens for a distinct purpose and how she encourages herself to not be affected by life's events. "I realized I had really grown up when I called my mom after losing money and she was like 'do you realize you're not crying?'. I used to call her a lot crying about things that were going on. But I'm learning how to deal. '

She explains it perfectly in her song, "To Whom it May Concern - "...I'm still learning, I'm not perfect"

As far as the future is concerned the Seattle-native wouldn't mind making a home on the east coast, in Atlanta where she can reunite with her cousin with whom she grew up banging on pots and pans with - performing their hearts out before Grandma got home!

She definitely saved some that energy for us here in 2009 and with her second album coming out on May 19th, you definitely need to go ahead and make plans to add it to your playlist!