One of the first Toronto rappers to get real national radio play
Choclair
Choclair's 1999 single 'Let's Ride' became one of the first Toronto hip hop tracks to earn significant mainstream Canadian radio airplay, at a time when domestic hip hop still struggled for airtime.
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Choclair, born Kareem Blackwood, emerged from Toronto's hip hop scene in the 1990s, building a reputation through mixtapes and live performances at a time when Canadian radio still gave hip hop, and Black Canadian artists in general, limited airtime relative to the size of the audience actually listening to the genre. His steady grind through the local scene positioned him among the artists best placed to benefit when Canadian radio's attitude toward hip hop finally began shifting.
A breakthrough single
His 1999 single "Let's Ride" became one of the first Toronto hip hop tracks to earn substantial mainstream Canadian radio play, a genuine breakthrough moment for the city's hip hop scene's visibility beyond its existing fan base. Choclair's early success is frequently cited, alongside artists like Maestro Fresh Wes, as part of the generation of Toronto rappers who built the commercial and cultural foundation that later artists, including Drake, would build much larger careers on top of.
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