In 1996, he released his debut album, Twenty One Years, on his own independent label, Kneedeep Records. He subsequently appeared on Rascalz' "Northern Touch" single, and signed with Virgin Records for his 1999 sophomore album Ice Cold. That album, which went gold in 35 days and spawned the hit single "Let's Ride", produced by Kardinal Offishall, was a major part of the late-1990s renaissance of Canadian hip hop.
The underground community worldwide quickly embraced the album, establishing him as a standout rapper in the burgeoning Canadian hip-hop scene. Most of Choclair's independent releases were featured around the globe on prestigious hip-hop compilations. In June of 1998, after having released 11 records (including the first international releases for Saukrates, Kardinal Offishall, Jully Black, Solitair, Marvel, Tara Chase and many more of Toronto's finest), achieving a Gold Record with the Rascalz on Canada's hip hop anthem, "The Northern Touch", receiving 2 JUNO awards and a Much Music Award, Choclair then decided to expand his team and join forces with Virgin Music.
Armed with his many JUNOs, Much Music Awards, Gold records, collaborations and newfound knowledge of how the business works, Choclair has gone back to his grassroots and started his own independent label again. With full artistic control, he is ready to present his renewed energy and new attitude to the people. "I'm the most excited about this album here because it'll be the first release on my new label, Greenhouse Music in partnership with Sextant Records/EMI Music Canada". Choclair meditates on the writing and concepts for his 3rd album "Flagrant", "I felt there was an energy I had when I was doing it on my own I wanted to get back. My manager and original producer Day and I felt like it was time to do what we had always wanted to do, and that was to start our own record label."
"2003 is the rebirth of the independent Choclair, my independent label, and hopefully, the start of a new outlet for the widely untapped Canadian urban talent." Choclair and his new label and partnership aim to raise the standard by which Canadian hip-hop is measured.
Choclair subsequently launched his own label, Greenhouse Music, to release his records and other Canadian hip hop albums in conjunction with Sextant Records and EMI Music. He called it "Greenhouse" because it is where "the green is made". His 2003 album Flagrant was the first release on Greenhouse. In the summer of 2003, following the release of Flagrant, Greenhouse released My Demo, a collection of Choclair's early underground recordings.
ROLLIN'
Choclair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some bullshitters, know what I'm saying (yeah)
Straight runnin' wild (realize) doing their thang, yeah
For all those Nino Brown niggas (yeah)
John Gotti niggas, know what I'm saying (yeah)
Niggas trying to run shit (trying to run the game)
Don't know (Don't know)
It's all a game
Yo, it's like night life, ball fights, brothers getting sliced
Lay niggas, up on the floor, for people acting hardcore (yeah)
And others caught in the crossfire, and dying at age young
They leave .em by their loved ones
People wondering, Toronto Sunday saying, we acting like some savages (savages)
People acting it, pulling triggers and they stabbing kids (stabbing kids)
They pose as bad boys up in club scenes
Keep the grill screwed, leaving blood stains on blue jeans
Then Po-Po, rushes through the entrance, he hits the exits
Hops into his act, wheels spinning on some next shit
Now we got our G-stripes, bragging rights
Little kids with no direction, look at him right
Cause he got my car to style, Medina robber style
Yeah, he bad now, but remember, what comes around, goes around
(Shh) Who be blind to the future
You need to understand
You need to understand, my man
(Yeah!)
[Chorus]
Peoples get themselves caught up, and then shot up
Bucked to the head for all the shit they done brought up
The situation, got them iller than an AIDS patient
Wild niggas, who be acting like they free-pacing
Now, as time goes by
He's looking out his window, see some people outside
With dark clothes and dark shades
And all around is pure clouds packing rain
He calls his man Jermaine, and tells him that
Shit's going down and meet him at his home, he packs a 4-pound (4-pound)
He waits around, with the sweat dripping from his brow
Where the law be now, nervousness has his head swinging side-to-side
Checks the door, he's see his man up in the ride
He's rolling outside, first looking all around
The sniper fire from the roof, it makes him drop and hit the ground
He makes a mad dash to the car door
Tells his man to move, he slams the pedal on the car floor
Now bullet-proof windows, they be reflecting it
Now he's thinking back up to the party, he's regretting it
But he's deep in it, and there's nothing he can do, but to call his boo
Who be at home, taking care of his one year old
He says, situation's thick, there's niggas after me
It ain't no stopping them, until they capping me (naw)
Hold the fort down, I.ll be aight, I.ll give you a call in the morn
She says there's two up on my floor, with one kicking down my door
He calls his man Nick, to check the situation (situation)
When he arrives all he sees is an assassination (assassination)
And when they one step ahead, so now an ambush is in the waiting
Understand, you need to understand, my man
(You need to recognize and realize, boy!)
[Chorus: x2]
Now there's vengeance on the mind, time for him to take back what's stolen
He tells Jermaine to meet him at the docks
At 5 o.clock, keep the glocks cocked
I got the blueprints, to run up on these niggas (Word up dog!)
So when the time comes for them to meet
He sees the car, but finds Jermaine slumped in the driver seat (what to do)
People cut themselves off of him, cause if they down they be shot too
His mother's in the rage, face on the front page
Now the man's after him, the clan's after him, mob's after him
He's still at damage son, last thought's killing (uh)
The only thought in his head, now to do is run
Buys his ticket at the International pier son
Not, knowing that there's man
Standing behind .em with, 9-millimeters in hand (He turns around to his surprise)
Feels the burning on the inside, cold on the outside
And the people did the shooting, got away up with his life-time (Ah-yo)
[Chorus: x3]
(You fucking with your life boy)
Yeah, (uh-uh) wild niggas (uh-uh, wild niggas)
You fucking with your life boy
(You fucking with your life boy)
Uh, You fucking with your life boy
Uh
[Chorus]
The song "Situation 9" by Choclair is a rap track that deals with the dangers of the street life, particularly in urban areas like Toronto, where the song was recorded. The lyrics open with a verse that explicitly warns against Nino Brown and John Gotti-style characters, who try to exert their control over their surroundings through violence and intimidation. Choclair goes on to describe brutal scenes of violence in nightclubs and on the streets, where people are gunned down without reason or consequence. Throughout the track, the rapper underscores the point that life on the street is a game with high stakes, and all too often, the players end up dead.
The chorus of "Situation 9" repeats the refrain that "peoples get themselves caught up" and end up "bucked to the head for all the shit they done brought up." This line summarizes the overall message of the song: that those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Even though the singer of the song tries to escape his fate by leaving Toronto and hiding out in another country, his past comes back to haunt him. The song's message is clear: that the street life is not worth the price, and that those who choose it are doomed to lose.
Line by Line Meaning
Um, for all these wild niggas (um, yeah)
This is a message for all the reckless individuals out there
Some bullshitters, know what I'm saying (yeah)
Referring to those who engage in pointless and deceitful behavior
Straight runnin' wild (realize) doing their thang, yeah
They are acting without restraint, unaware of the consequences
For all those Nino Brown niggas (yeah)
This is directed at individuals who aspire to be like fictional crime lord Nino Brown
John Gotti niggas, know what I'm saying (yeah)
Referring to those who idolize the notorious mobster John Gotti
Niggas trying to run shit (trying to run the game)
They are attempting to take control and dominate their surroundings
Don't know (Don't know)
They lack understanding and awareness
It's all a game
The situations they find themselves in are simply part of a larger game or scheme
Yo, it's like night life, ball fights, brothers getting sliced
Describing the violent and dangerous nature of the environment he is in
Lay niggas, up on the floor, for people acting hardcore (yeah)
Those who try to appear tough or intimidating often end up harmed or killed
And others caught in the crossfire, and dying at age young
Innocent bystanders become victims of the conflicts and lose their lives at a young age
They leave .em by their loved ones
The deceased individuals are mourned by their family and friends
People wondering, Toronto Sunday saying, we acting like some savages (savages)
Witnesses and the community express concern over the violent behavior occurring in Toronto
People acting it, pulling triggers and they stabbing kids (stabbing kids)
Individuals are resorting to extreme acts of violence, even targeting children
They pose as bad boys up in club scenes
They portray themselves as tough and dangerous individuals in social settings
Keep the grill screwed, leaving blood stains on blue jeans
They maintain a tough demeanor, often spilling blood and leaving evidence on their clothing
Then Po-Po, rushes through the entrance, he hits the exits
The police quickly respond to the scene, causing the individuals to flee
Hops into his act, wheels spinning on some next shit
They quickly escape using a getaway vehicle, leaving the police behind
Now we got our G-stripes, bragging rights
Having successfully evaded the authorities, they now boast about their criminal accomplishments
Little kids with no direction, look at him right
Young children lacking guidance and role models see these individuals as figures to emulate
Cause he got my car to style, Medina robber style
They admire the individual's car and his ability to commit crimes similar to those in the movie 'Medina'
Yeah, he bad now, but remember, what comes around, goes around
Although he may feel invincible now, he should always be aware of the consequences that may come back to haunt him
(Shh) Who be blind to the future
Those who fail to see the potential consequences of their actions
You need to understand
It is important to have a clear understanding of the situation
Peoples get themselves caught up, and then shot up
Individuals get entangled in dangerous situations that often lead to them being shot or killed
Bucked to the head for all the shit they done brought up
They are met with fatal consequences for the trouble and conflict they have caused
The situation, got them iller than an AIDS patient
The circumstances they find themselves in are causing them extreme distress and suffering
Wild niggas, who be acting like they free-pacing
These individuals, who behave recklessly, act as if they are living without consequences or restrictions
Now, as time goes by
As time passes
He's looking out his window, see some people outside
He observes people gathering outside his window
With dark clothes and dark shades
These people are dressed in dark clothing and wearing sunglasses
And all around is pure clouds packing rain
The atmosphere is gloomy and it's about to rain
He calls his man Jermaine, and tells him that
He contacts his friend Jermaine and informs him
Shit's going down and meet him at his home, he packs a 4-pound (4-pound)
A dangerous situation is unfolding, so he prepares himself by arming with a 4-pound gun
He waits around, with the sweat dripping from his brow
He anxiously waits, perspiring heavily
Where the law be now, nervousness has his head swinging side-to-side
He wonders where the police are, feeling nervous and constantly looking in every direction
Checks the door, he's see his man up in the ride
He verifies that his friend is in the car waiting for him
He's rolling outside, first looking all around
He cautiously leaves the building and scans his surroundings
The sniper fire from the roof, it makes him drop and hit the ground
Gunshots from a sniper positioned on the rooftop force him to take cover by falling to the ground
He makes a mad dash to the car door
He quickly runs towards the car and tries to enter
Tells his man to move, he slams the pedal on the car floor
He instructs his friend to start driving and then accelerates the vehicle
Now bullet-proof windows, they be reflecting it
The car's windows, which are resistant to bullets, reflect the gunfire
Now he's thinking back up to the party, he's regretting it
He reflects on the previous party and regrets his involvement in the events leading to this dangerous situation
But he's deep in it, and there's nothing he can do, but to call his boo
He is deeply involved in the dangerous situation and can only seek help from his romantic partner
Who be at home, taking care of his one-year-old
His partner is at home, looking after their one-year-old child
He says, situation's thick, there's niggas after me
He informs his partner about the intense situation and the individuals pursuing him
It ain't no stopping them, until they capping me (naw)
The individuals will not stop pursuing him until they kill him
Hold the fort down, I'll be aight, I'll give you a call in the morn
He reassures his partner to stay strong and promises to contact her the next morning
She says there's two up on my floor, with one kicking down my door
His partner informs him that there are two intruders on her floor, with one attempting to break into her room
He calls his man Nick, to check the situation (situation)
He contacts his friend Nick to assess and handle the ongoing situation
When he arrives all he sees is an assassination (assassination)
When Nick arrives, he witnesses a murder taking place
And when they one step ahead, so now an ambush is in the waiting
The people pursuing him are always one step ahead, and now they are setting up an ambush
Understand, you need to understand, my man
It is crucial to comprehend and grasp the situation, my friend
(You need to recognize and realize, boy!)
You must acknowledge and comprehend, boy!
Now there's vengeance on the mind, time for him to take back what's stolen
He is driven by a desire for revenge and aims to reclaim what has been unjustly taken from him
He tells Jermaine to meet him at the docks
He instructs Jermaine to rendezvous with him at the docks
At 5 o'clock, keep the glocks cocked
They agree to meet at 5 o'clock and ensure their firearms are ready for use
I got the blueprints, to run up on these niggas (Word up dog!)
He possesses a plan to confront and attack these individuals
So when the time comes for them to meet
When the scheduled time for their meeting arrives
He sees the car, but finds Jermaine slumped in the driver seat (what to do)
Upon seeing the car, he discovers that Jermaine is lifeless in the driver's seat, leaving him uncertain of what to do
People cut themselves off of him, cause if they down they be shot too
Others distance themselves from him, fearing that associating with him would place their lives at risk
His mother's in the rage, face on the front page
His mother is furious, and her angry expression is depicted on the front page of newspapers
Now the man's after him, the clan's after him, mob's after him
He is being pursued by powerful and dangerous groups, from individuals to organizations
He's still at damage son, last thought's killing (uh)
Despite being in a vulnerable state, his final thoughts focus on seeking revenge
The only thought in his head, now to do is run
His sole objective is to escape and avoid capture
Buys his ticket at the International pier son
He purchases a ticket at the International pier, preparing to flee
Not knowing that there's man
Unaware that someone is watching him
Standing behind .em with, 9-millimeters in hand (He turns around to his surprise)
Someone stands behind him, armed with 9-millimeter guns (He is caught off guard when he turns around)
Feels the burning on the inside, cold on the outside
He senses a burning sensation internally while feeling physically cold externally
And the people did the shooting, got away up with his life-time (Ah-yo)
The individuals who shot at him manage to escape, leaving him with his life at stake
You fucking with your life boy
You are putting your life in danger, boy
Yeah, (uh-uh) wild niggas (uh-uh, wild niggas)
Yeah, wild individuals
You fucking with your life boy
You are jeopardizing your own life, boy
Uh, You fucking with your life boy
Uh, you are risking your life, boy
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEVIN HAROLD MCKENZIE, KARL AMANI WAILOO, KAREEM A BLAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind