Reggae group Chocolate Factory broadens sound and style with JRoa

Aside from churning out original singles, solo artists and bands also foray into collabs that expand their growth, artistry- and genre-wise.

The five-piece group, Chocolate Factory, from Angeles City, Pampanga, has recently embarked on it via the song titled, Tonight, with singer-songwriter JRoa as collaborator.

It is now available on music streaming platforms.

“Collaborating with other artists, especially those who are in different genres, brings fresh ideas and perspectives,” said vocalist Antonio “Anton” Brown about the importance of such a musical endeavor in a brief e-mail interview with this paper. “In Chocolate Factory, we are ever evolving and are always open to enhancing our versatility as musicians.”

The collective is into reggae and known for its groovy instrumentation and dance-worthy infectious and powerful hit singles, said its publicity team, while JRoa finds his niche in pop and R&B style.

Tonight captures the blend and intersection of the music genres they represent. Chocolate Factory has taken on a “slow down tempo” that creates a more intimate vibe, the group’s team added. It is not the first time for the band to collaborate with another artist.

“Late last year, we also had a collaboration with (rapper, singer, and songwriter) Gloc-9 for our single Paglipad,” shared Anton, describing its theme in a previous virtual one-on-one with The STAR by saying it “focuses on the struggles being experienced by individuals and motivates everyone to continue on or move forward.”

So, Paglipad puts across the idea of challenging oneself to look on the bright side of the situation and turn an adversity into an opportunity or advantage.

“It’s always amazing to get creative exchange with artists outside our genre,” said he about working with JRoa on Tonight. “We wanted to explore more elements in our signature reggae sound.”

“When we met JRoa at our recent Australian tour through the joint efforts of our management, Numinous Philippines, and JRoa’s management, Asintada, we knew his musical style aligned well with the fusion that the band is looking for,” added he on how the collab came about. “We immediately talked ideas on a collaboration by then.”

Tonight is a welcome addition to the band’s original songs, such as Kung Ika’y Akin, Ilalim, Letra, Sexy Lady, and One Love.

As for the appeal of Tonight to listeners, Anton had this to say: “Lyrically, Tonight is a love song, and its vibrant and smooth melodic flow delivers a feel-good anthem that is set to capture the hearts of fans across the music scene.”

After the recent collab, is there another song that fans and the listening public can look forward to from Chocolate Factory?

“We are always in the process of writing new music for our ChocoTroops! In terms of future collaborations, we are open to having more with artists we look up to, no matter what genre they may be,” answered Anton.

If anyone wants to see Chocolate Factory perform live and appreciate its “charisma and stage presence,” as its team put it, one can check out the group’s upcoming series of shows.

Anton shared that it starts on Oct. 5 in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, and at Metrotent, Pasig City; Oct. 15. Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental; and Oct. 20, Sta. Teresita, Batangas.

With that, Chocolate Factory further popularizes its own brand of music and incorporates new sounds to offer something new.