South Bay band blends border sound with U2 sensibilities

Forget the bling, drugs and sexism, The Chocolate Revolution is reminding the hip-hop generation that music is about the heart. The Chocolate Revolution may be the world’s first heart-healthy band.

“Chocolate is the number one food on Earth most associated with love,” said guitarist Gabe La Blanc. “So essentially, The Chocolate Revolution is also a love revolution. By eating more organic, or ‘raw’ high-quality fair trade chocolate, you contribute to preserving and saving the rainforest and benefiting your health.”

If chocolate is the “food of the gods,” The Chocolate Revolution is the soundtrack of divinity.

Ski Beach in San Diego hosted the So-Cal Showcase which featured up-and-coming local bands. The Chocolate Revolution put on a sweet show. Latin beats from the bongos and organic acoustic guitar revved up the audience. In between each song vocalist David Grant reminded audience members to think with their hearts. Their jams had the “chocolate blend” Grant describes as a rock beat with a reggae hook spiced with hip-hop and rap.

“It is universal. It’s diverse,” said Grant. “There is no style and the best style is no style ‘cause every time you put yourself in a category, that’s where you limit yourself.”

Grant, 25, is African-American, Caucasian, Latino and Portuguese. La Blanc, 23, is Canadian and Latino. Percussionist Israel Arevalo, 34, is also Latino.

“This is where the feel of the whole revolution comes from,” said Grant. “It’s all these different ethnicities coming together and different walks of life coming together through music.”

La Blanc said he feels the musical chemistry of the trio is very unique.

“Collaborating with David has been fun and easy,” said La Blanc. “Once we get into our zone, there’s no stopping us. That’s how much of a musical connection the two of us have.”

Grant agreed.

“We were just good together,” he said. “It sounded good because it had the Latin-reggae-jazzy-blues feel to it. Arevalo just emphasized it.”

Last month The Chocolate Revolution had to be patient at The Stage in downtown San Diego. There were many local artists competing for best hip-hop performance. The chocolate men had to perform last because they were the only performers that made their own music with no background technology involved. They were pure, real and different from the rest who rapped about swag, hoes, bling and clothes. Grant and company scorched an R&B song, “Down and Out,” a soulful love letter Grant dedicated to his wife.

Grant said he believes good music consists of multitude forms and sounds. He described The Chocolate Revolution as rap artist Tupac’s killuminati philosophy, like a different way of living and thinking spiritually, physically and mentally. He said that is what the band tries to do.

Grant said La Blanc is the one that came up with the band’s concept of being heart-centered.

“Heart-centered, to me, is to get out of your head and move into your heart,” said Grant. “(It means) to be kind, more giving and to be of service in any way you can.”

Grant describes La Blanc as the light of the revolution for believing in the concept and bringing it to their music.

“I feel like I bring my voice and my spirit because I battle a lot of shit,” said Grant. “I feel like when I want to, my heart’s bigger than anybody else’s.”

Grant said the band’s concept is inspiring.

“We’re here to serve and that’s all we’re here to do,” he said. “I’m not (just) telling you, I’m also reminding myself. I forget this a lot ‘cause we’re so selfish. To serve, not necessarily to make our lives easier, but to help the next person whether you know them or you don’t.”

Grant said he is inspired by another Tupac statement, “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”

“More than anything, being unselfish and sacrificing for others is most inspiring,” said Grant.

Grant said when he notices something bad it inspires him to want to write a song and make a change. He urged students to listen to their first song, “Knock On My Door” because at one point in time, he said, everyone feels isolated and outcast from society.

Studio Capstone in Chula Vista is where the band records its music. Childhood friend Jose Aguilera said he loves the band’s music, which led him to invest his money in a fully-stocked recording studio. Grant said he is surprised of how fast the band is moving along.

“We’re blessed,” he said.

In just its first year together The Chocolate Revolution played 13 performances. La Blanc said opening for legendary drummer and percussionist Sheila E. at 4^th and B was the most special and playing at the House of Blues “was very cool.”

The Chocolate Revolution will continue spreading its sweet concept in December at Chula Vista’s annual Christmas Parade. Le Blanc said he and attended every year since they were born, and now looking forward to performing at the hometown celebration of peace and joy. Serendipity dipped in chocolate.