Chocolate Factory, JRoa collaborate on single 'Tonight'

MANILA -- Renowned reggae collective from Pampanga Chocolate Factory has joined forces with singer-songwriter JRoa for the highly anticipated new single “Tonight.”

According to the group, they wanted to explore more elements of their signature reggae sound. When they met JRoa at their recent Australian tour, they knew his style would fit right into the R&B dynamic that the band wanted to add, making him the perfect fit for the collaboration.

Chocolate Factory was particularly drawn to JRoa's singles "Oks Lang" and "Dati." For them, the tracks showcased his unique ability to mix smooth vocals with clever lyricism, while still maintaining a laid-back yet infectious vibe. It was the perfect blend of R&B and hip-hop, which aligns well with the reggae fusion sound the band is known for.

As for a follow-up, the band is definitely open to working with JRoa again. The chemistry during this project was undeniable, and the creative synergy was strong. There are already some ideas floating around, so fans can look forward to potential new tracks in the not-so-distant future.

JRoa, on the other hand, has this to share: "I had the privilege to bond and be on tour with them last February this year and I think that played a huge part in this collaboration to happen. Watching them perform live on tour and getting to know them personally made me an instant fan, being a part of this project is [really] a real honor for me."

In working with the band, JRoa added: "Man, I had a blast working with them! It was very free-flowing and fresh too. We obviously may have different styles and processes in creating music but I honestly felt like those differences left the studio that day. Maybe that’s why this song is [really] such a vibe to listen to. Believe me or not, but I’m genuinely fan-boying over this song."

This fresh collaboration finds the signature grooves of Chocolate Factory blending with JRoa’s R&B-influenced style. 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. 

Known for his warm, expressive, velvety-toned vocals, JRoa perfectly complements with the distinct silky and rich vocals of Chocolate Factory frontman Anthony Pangilinan. 

While Chocolate Factory has long been celebrated for their infectious, dance-worthy reggae hit singles, they have slowed down the tempo in this collaboration, creating a more intimate vibe along with partnering up with JRoa who has brought his unique voice and emotionally resonant songwriting to the table.

What do they want to achieve with this collaboration?

With this collaboration, Chocolate Factory hopes to bridge different genres and create a unique fusion that resonates with a wide audience. By blending JRoa’s contemporary R&B and hip-hop influences with their signature reggae sound, they aim to push the boundaries of both styles offer something fresh to listeners, and show that diverse styles and backgrounds can come together harmoniously.

JRoa personally considers himself a genre-less artist. "It [really] helps me be an empty vessel for God’s ideas and creativity to flow over every time I work with artists with different styles such as this," he said.

"I [really] hope and pray that this collaboration could inspire our fellow Filipino artists to be not afraid to try working with artists outside their respective styles and sounds."

“Tonight” is already out on most music streaming platforms and is accompanied by an official lyric video.