Choyce

Choyce, in your song "Core" you talk about being "hip hop to the core" in a world that cares more about nice cars and "suicide doors." Tell me what hip hop means to you.

Its culture, it’s a lifestyle displayed through various forms of expression, it’s an art form that has been the voice for disenfranchised people not only from the Bronx or New York City but now the world, and it’s the soundtrack to a generation who wasn’t supposed to survive.

Who are your heroes in hip hop?

My heroes are Krs-1, Nas, Jay-z, Mos Def, Andre 3000, just to name a few, but these are the main artist who were influences on my hip hop career.

What were the experiences in your life that changed you and made you want to be a part of hip hop?

I wasn’t happy doing anything else. I felt like I was missing something. I didn’t figure out what I wanted be in life until I pursued hip hop as a career

What are your goals with your music? When's the CD coming out? (Or is it out?) Who have you played shows with thus far?

Honestly, my goal is make good music that the people can enjoy and to make a contribution to hip hop culture. The culture has set a standard in the past that any artist should want to meet or exceed, the rest is defined by the music, we all as human beings have statement to be made, and I want to make mine without compromising the art form. The album is called “Odes II Culture” and it’s available now @ Myspace.com/choyce2 you can get the info on shows and etc. on there also. So far I did performances at the Entertainers bar in the Bronx, NY and at Fat Baby Bar in the Lower east side of Manhattan, we just kicked off the WHATS YOUR CHOYCE?? Promo tour.

What can the fans expect on Friday May 25 at Vox Pop?

The fans can expect music that is honest but nothing short of great, especially if they are true hip hop fans.
- Vop Pop owner Sander

Listening to "Core" by New York rapper Choyce feels a bit like Christmas in July, probably because the song samples the popular holiday ditty "Carol of the Bells." Put aside the feel-good melody, and the song begs to ask an important question, namely, "Can a real nigga make music anymore without big-ass chains and suicide doors?" Currently No. 2 on the hip-hop channel, the 21 year old (birth name Charles Dalton) has the bravado and strong delivery to make him a standout. And with tracks like the bass-heavy "100 Grand" and the southern-tinged "Fire," the choice seems clear. - J.E. Kim

CHOYCE'S MUSIC IS INTRIGUINGLY REAL - BEN BERRIOS URBAN DIRECTOR OF WNYO 88.9

A lyrically adept MC comfortably complemented by well-crafted, epic hip hop production. - Paul Irish from Aurgasm.us

Charles "Choyce" Dalton was born January 1 1986 in Springfield Gardens, New
York
to a father who did some DJ work in his younger days and to mother who also
indulged in the Hip Hop culture in the mid 80's.

LI: How did having family involved in the hip hop culture affect your
maturity
in the business?

Choyce: My family being involved helped them understand my love for hip-hop, and their support has made the transition to becoming a MC that much easier, even though their older now they still are intune with the culture, so its easy for them to see that hip-hop is definitely something I’m talented in and they encourage me to pursue it.

LI: Did you ever want to do anything else or was music the primary choice?


Choyce: I fell in love with hip-hop at a young age, so I flirted with the idea of doing something else but I was never able to totally remove music from my life.


In 1992 CHOYCE moved to Rochdale Village in South Jamaica, Queens, where he
became childhood friends with Mark "MAOM" Mclean and Wendell "Bonito"
Jordan. Choyce always loved the Hip Hop culture from a young age, but it wasn't
until 1998 at the age of twelve that he discovered his musical ability. For years
he was told he had musical ability but no one accepted him as an MC with great
skill.


LI: Underrated MCs, it seems we have so many of those nowadays that we
eventually find out about and most of the time that's the real hip hop (lol)
What does it take to continue to work under that category?


Choyce: Its takes a lot of drive and determination, a lot of underrated MCs are rapping about something that mainstream music is not ready to hear, usually having a very important message that involves passion or community, so that’s why its a lot harder for an underrated MC to succeed.


LI: Was there ever a time to where you said, "I'm not going to do this
anymore?"


Choyce: Earlier on there were times when I didn’t want to
rap anymore because I became discouraged easily when people didn’t feel my words, but my love for hip-hop made my skin harder, so I take criticism a lot better


LI: What were some of your role models?


Choyce: I was inspired by Jay-Z, Nas, Lost Boyz, Krs-1, Big Daddy Kane, LL
Cool J, and the list goes on. I was born in the mid 80’s so I’m a product of
90’s hip-hop.


LI: What is some good advice you could pass along to other MCs coming up in
the
game?


Choyce: The best advice I can give to other MC’s is, to be themselves, and
don’t be scared to think outside the box. Creativity is one of the best
ways to catch the ear of the public


LI: Hows management responded to you and do you both share the same vision
for
your career?

Choyce: They feel as if I’m doing an excellent job, they support me in a fashion that a family does. They have my interest first. They truly believe that my sound will lead to success as long as I stay determined and hungry.


LI: What's going on now with you? Any upcoming projects?


Choyce: Right now my album is almost done, it's going through the
mixing and mastering process. It will available digitally May 8, 2007.


LI: Where do you see the independant music scene now when it comes to hip
hop?


Choyce: The independent music scene is excellent it gives artist more
creative control over their projects and in some cases more revenue.


LI: Do you aspire to be mainstream, if not, why?


Choyce: I aspire to make great music that people love and will never forget.
If that means I am a mainstream artist so be it, but I wouldn’t compromise
my style to become mainstream.




It wasn't until later in quest for musical greatness that he found out why
his words weren't as receptive as they should have been, he didn't have the
passion of someone that loved hip-hop.


LI: How important is that in this day and age to have that?

Choyce: You have to love it because without love there is no creativity or
care about the music, and if we as artist don’t care about the state of
hip-hop neither will the audience.


So after a couple years of evaluating his life and practicing his craft, he
finally found the nitch he was looking after accepting hip-hop as his life and
not just a hobby. These events that caused this transition make up the man
that everyone now knows as "CHOYCE".

LI: Anything you want to add? Contact info?


Choyce: Yeah, check me out on myspace at myspace.com/choyce11434 and myspace.com/whatsyourchoyce where my tracks can be purchased and/or listened to. Also you can leave a friend request and use the form to become part my mailing list, so u can be updated on all my events.
- Lyrics Inc Magazine

I believe he carries a message other than what seems to be popular in rap these days (money, women and drugs). I can picture hearing his tracks in the near future on mainstream radio.

- Sean Paul Jackson Operations Manager The PJ Productions Radio Network