For Black folks {ie. African Americans} "Chocolate City" means: 1. Washington D.C. 2. Any other city which has a predominately Black population
In 1975 Parliament took this commonly known Black referent and recorded a single entitled "Chocolate City" and gave the album that title too.
Here's the musicians and vocalists for the album and the single: Bass: Bootsy Collins, Cordell "Boogie" Mosson, Prakash John Guitar: Gary Shider, Bootsy Collins, Cordell Mosson Drums: Tiki Fulwood, Ty Lampkin, Man In the Box Keyboards: Bernie Worrell Horn & String Arrangements: Bernie Worrell Rhythm Arrangements: Bootsy Collins, George Clinton Vocals: Parliament, Gary Shider, Eddie Hazel Background Vocals: Mallia Franklin, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper
"Chocolate City" Lead Vocals: George Clinton Piano Solo: Bernie Worrell Sax Solo: Michael Brecker
And here's an excerpt of that song:
CHOCOLATE CITY Uh, what's happening CC? They still call it the White House But that's a temporary condition, too. Can you dig it, CC?
To each his reach And if I don't cop, it ain't mine to have But I'll be reachin' for ya 'Cause I love ya, CC. Right on.
There's a lot of chocolate cities, around We've got Newark, we've got Gary Somebody told me we got L.A. And we're working on Atlanta But you're the capital, CC...
Hey, CC! They say your jivin' game, it can't be changed But on the positive side, You're my piece of the rock And I love you, CC. Can you dig it?
Hey, uh, we didn't get our forty acres and a mule But we did get you, CC, heh, yeah Gainin' on ya Movin' in and around ya God bless CC and its vanilla suburbs...
Gainin' on ya! Gainin' on ya! Gainin' on ya! (heh!) Gainin' on ya! Gainin' on ya! What's happening, blood? Gainin' on ya! Gainin' on ya! Gainin' on ya!...
And when they come to march on ya Tell 'em to make sure they got their James Brown pass And don't be surprised if Ali is in the White House Reverend Ike, Secretary of the Treasure Richard Pryor, Minister of Education Stevie Wonder, Secretary of FINE arts And Miss Aretha Franklin, the First Lady Are you out there, CC? A chocolate city is no dream It's my piece of the rock and I dig you, CC God bless Chocolate City and its (gainin' on ya!) vanilla suburbs Can y'all get to that? Gainin' on ya! Gainin' on ya! Easin' in Gainin' on ya! In yo' stuff Gainin' on ya! Huh, can't get enough Gainin' on ya! Gainin' on ya! Be mo' funk, be mo' funk Gainin' on ya! Can we funk you too Gainin' on ya! Right on, chocolate city!...