NLE Choppa

Bryson LaShun Potts{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nle-choppa-announces-hes-officially-off-probation-news.92794.html|title=NLE Choppa Announces He's Officially Off Probation|last=Zidel|first=Alex|date=October 9, 2019|website=HotNewHipHop|access-date=December 20, 2019}} was born on November 1, 2002,{{cite web|url=https://bookingagentinfo.com/celebrity/nle-choppa|title=About NLE Choppa|publisher=Booking Agent Info|access-date=May 7, 2019}} to an African American father and Jamaican mother.{{cite news|last=Richards|first=M.T|date=January 23, 2020|title=NLE Choppa: Young Memphis Rapper Tops Emerging Artist Charts|url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/nle-choppa-young-memphis-rapper-tops-emerging-artist-charts/Content?oid=22227329|work=Memphis Flyer Newspaper|access-date=February 11, 2020|archive-date=January 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130162640/https://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/nle-choppa-young-memphis-rapper-tops-emerging-artist-charts/Content?oid=22227329|url-status=dead}} He was raised in Southeast Memphis, Tennessee, in the Parkway Village area, and was also enrolled in Cordova High School where he played basketball.{{cite news|url=https://www.prephoops.com/2018/10/4-observations-from-cordovas-open-gym-workout|title=4 observations from Cordova's open gym workout|first=Courtney|last=Smith|publisher=Prep Hoops|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=May 7, 2019}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-18 |title=Memphis rapper NLE Choppa inspires students to read |url=https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/memphis-rapper-nle-choppa-inspires-students-to-read/article_39bc3c8d-a5c4-5f78-8f41-a997514a2f88.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525222319/https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/memphis-rapper-nle-choppa-inspires-students-to-read/article_39bc3c8d-a5c4-5f78-8f41-a997514a2f88.html |archive-date=2023-05-25 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Fox 13 Memphis |language=en}} He began freestyling with childhood friends at the age of 15 and started taking music seriously at 16.{{cite news|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/02/nle-choppa-interview-the-break|title=THE BREAK PRESENTS: NLE Choppa|first=Robby|last=Seabrook III|work=XXL|date=February 20, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}}

Potts's manager is his mother, Angela Potts, who has been managing him since he started expressing an interest in rap music career.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/10/nle-choppa-everything-you-need-to-know|title=Everything You Need to Know About NLE Choppa|last=Jessica|first=McKinney|date=October 2, 2019|website=Complex|access-date=October 10, 2019}} He released his first song, "No Love Anthem", in March 2018 under the name YNR Choppa. On July 22, he released his debut mixtape, No Love the Takeover. In December, he appeared on "No Chorus Pt. 3", a cypher-style song by his Shotta Fam collective. His opening verse and his dance moves in the accompanying music video made him stand out from the group, earning him an online buzz.{{cite news|url=https://www.thedoublecup.com/nle-choppa|title=NLE Choppa: The Shotta Flow Rapper On The Come Up|publisher=The Double Cup|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123203715/https://www.thedoublecup.com/nle-choppa|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/features/nle-choppa-the-16-year-old-viral-phenom-looks-to-take-the-game-over-LLsVrsqKTEiMPwt4uYgwuw|title=NLE Choppa: The 16 Year Old Viral Phenom Looks To Take The Game Over|date=February 12, 2019|work=AllHipHop|access-date=July 22, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216223907/https://allhiphop.com/features/nle-choppa-the-16-year-old-viral-phenom-looks-to-take-the-game-over-LLsVrsqKTEiMPwt4uYgwuw|archive-date=February 16, 2019}}

After the surge of popularity, he released his breakout single "Shotta Flow". The video reached 10 million views in a month.{{cite news|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.50303/title.nle-choppa-is-only-16-years-old-wants-to-make-millions-to-give-back#|title=Interview: NLE Choppa Is Only 16 Years Old & Wants To Make Millions To Give Back|first=Nunet|last=Clitandre|publisher=Hip-Hop DX|date=February 14, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}} A few days after its release, Pitchfork highlighted the track as its Song of the Day, praising his energetic delivery and adding that "he hits a new dance move every time the camera cuts back to him".{{cite news|url=https://pitchfork.com/levels/nle-choppa-shotta-flow-new-song-listen|title=The Ones: NLE Choppa's 'Shotta Flow'|last=Pierre|first=Alphonse|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019|work=Pitchfork}} The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2019, debuting at number 96.{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8509603/nle-choppa-hot-100-debut|title=NLE Choppa Scores First Billboard Hot 100 Entry With 'Shotta Flow'|first=Xander|last=Zellner|date=May 1, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}} It later peaked at number 36. The official remix, featuring Blueface and a Cole Bennett-directed music video, was released in June, shortly after the original song was certified platinum by the RIAA.{{cite news|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/blueface-assists-nle-choppa-on-the-shotta-flow-remix-new-song.1983454.html|title=Blueface Assists NLE Choppa On The 'Shotta Flow' Remix|work=HotNewHipHop|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=June 20, 2019}}

File:NLE Choppa Icebox 2019 (cropped).jpg

In February, he released the song's sequel, "Shotta Flow 2". The video received 20 million views within two months, prompting Carl Lamarre from Billboard to say that his "recent dominance has silenced any detractors".{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8508389/nle-choppa-kiana-lede-luh-kel-chart-success|title=Emerging Hip-Hop: NLE Choppa, Kiana Lede & Luh Kel Make Noise With Latest Chart Moves|first=Carl|last=Lamarre|magazine=Billboard|date=April 23, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}} It was around this time that it was reported that Choppa had sparked a bidding war between a handful of top record labels, with bids reaching a reported $3 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8498052/memphis-rapper-nle-choppa-label-bidding-war|title=Memphis Rapper NLE Choppa Sparks $3 Million Label Bidding War: Exclusive|first=Tatiana|last=Cirisano|magazine=Billboard|date=February 13, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}} He turned these offers down, from Republic Records, Interscope Records, Caroline, however, to instead sign with the independent distribution company, UnitedMasters including Neo Lechweny, while keeping his master recordings and publishing.{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8498476/nle-choppa-turned-down-a-3-million-record-deal-partner-united-masters|title=Why 16-Year-Old Rapper NLE Choppa Turned Down a $3 Million Record Deal to Partner With UnitedMasters: Exclusive|first=Tatiana|last=Cirisano|magazine=Billboard|date=February 15, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}} In March, he released a new single called "Capo", with the music video debuting on Worldstarhiphop.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhDLd6u681uT26QOsx|title=NLE Choppa – Capo|website=WORLDSTARHIPHOP|date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019}} Also in March, he was featured on Birdman and Juvenile's song "Dreams".{{cite news|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/birdman-and-juvenile-boost-nle-choppa-with-dope-new-single-dreams-new-song.1982306.html|title=Birdman & Juvenile Boost NLE Choppa With Dope New Single "Dreams"|first=Alex|last=Zidel|publisher=HotNewHipHop|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=May 9, 2019}} In April 2019, NLE released another single called "Birdboy", produced by SGULL.

In May, Choppa released a new single, "Blocc Is Hot", produced by ATL Jacob.{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/nle-choppa-26-atl-jacob-talk-new-single-blocc-is-hot-wanting-to-get-lil-wayne-on-the-remix/ar-AAARmTG|title=NLE Choppa & ATL Jacob Talk New Single 'Blocc Is Hot,' Wanting to Get Lil Wayne on the Remix|first=Michael|last=Saponara|publisher=MSN|date=May 3, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}} It was made as a tribute to his favorite childhood rapper, Lil Wayne.{{cite news|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nle-choppa-returns-on-blocc-is-hot-new-song.1982854.html|title=NLE Choppa Returns On 'Blocc Is Hot'|first=Milca|last=Pierre|publisher=HotNewHipHop|date=May 4, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}} A few days later, he made his music festival debut by performing at the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis. Bob Mehr of The Commercial Appeal praised his act, saying that he "did much to seize the opportunity on the big stage in his hometown" and that "his career is likely to see plenty more memorable Memphis moments."{{cite news|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/05/05/nle-choppa-memphis-may-beale-street-music-festival/3655352002|title=Memphis rapper NLE Choppa brings the party to Beale Street Music Festival|first=Bob|last=Mehr|publisher=The Commercial Appeal|date=May 5, 2019|access-date=May 9, 2019}} On June 14, 2019, he released the single, "Free YoungBoy", produced by CashMoneyAP. The music video has achieved over 19 million views on YouTube. The title of this song is a reference to rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who was arrested for a parole violation after a shootout in Miami.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/baton-rouge-rapper-nba-youngboy-gets-90-days-in-jail-house-arrest-and-14-month/article_a30cda56-93af-11e9-826d-933d21cff6d1.html|title=Baton Rouge rapper NBA Youngboy gets 90 days in jail, house arrest, and 14-month performance ban|first=Joe|last=Gyan, Jr.}} This song was the first release from his own label No Love Entertainment (NLE), which he launched in partnership with Warner Records.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8519758/nle-choppa-launches-own-label-warner-records|title=NLE Choppa Launches Own Label in Partnership with Warner Records|last=Eggertsen|first=Chris|date=July 12, 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 30, 2019}} According to Billboard magazine, No Love Entertainment is slated to release new music from Potts. On September 13, 2019, he released a new single titled "Camelot".{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/09/nle-choppa-camelot-video|title=Watch NLE Choppa's Cole Bennett-Directed Video for "Camelot"|website=Complex|access-date=October 7, 2019}} The song peaked at number 37 in the US, becoming his second Top 40 hit, following "Shotta Flow".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/nle-choppa/chart-history/hsi|title=NLE Choppa Chart History: Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 31, 2020}}

On December 20, 2019, Potts released his debut extended play titled Cottonwood.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/12/nle-choppa-cottonwood-stream|title=NLE Choppa Drops 'Cottonwood' Project|last=Price|first=Joe|date=December 20, 2019|website=Complex|access-date=December 20, 2019}} The EP, named after the area he grew up in,{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/12/nle-choppa-cottonwood-ep-interview|title=NLE Choppa Spent Years Praying For Success—Now He Wants to Change Everyone's Lives|last=McKinney|first=Jessica|date=December 13, 2019|website=Complex|access-date=December 20, 2019}} features the previously released singles "Side" and his breakthrough hit "Shotta Flow" with its remix, featuring Blueface. The EP also consists of a collaboration with Meek Mill. To accompany the release of Cottonwood, a short film of the same name was released on the same day.

Potts’ debut studio album, Top Shotta was initially set for release in early 2020, and was preceded by multiple singles.{{cite tweet|number=1286497149308424192|user=Nlechoppa1|title=Album Drops August 7th. Last Delay I Promise. I Just Want It Perfect 💯|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020}} He appeared on King Von’s "Message" off the album Levon James. March 19, he released the album's lead single "Walk Em Down" with Roddy Ricch. On June 12, 2020, he released "Shotta Flow 5", the fourth sequel to his 2019 single "Shotta Flow".{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/06/nle-choppa-shotta-flow-5|title=NLE Choppa Unleashes Video for New Track "Shotta Flow 5"|website=Complex|last=Rose|first=Jordan|date=June 12, 2020|access-date=June 13, 2020}} The single "Narrow Road" featuring Lil Baby released on July 30.{{cite tweet|number=1288525204721766401|user=Nlechoppa1|title=Narrow Road Ft @lilbaby4PF TOMORROW and ALBUM PRE ORDER 💜|access-date=July 29, 2020|date=July 29, 2020}} One week later, on August 7, Top Shotta was released. On August 11, 2020, Potts was included on XXL{{'}}s 2020 Freshman Class.{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-2020-freshman-class-revealed|title=XXL 2020 FRESHMAN CLASS REVEALED|work=XXL|last=Cline|first=Georgette|date=August 11, 2020|access-date=August 11, 2020}} On September 5, he vowed to stop rapping about violence, stating he has more to talk about and wants to "spread positivity and wake people up".{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/fnr-tigg/nle-choppa-to-stop-rapping-about-violence|title=NLE Choppa Vows to Stop Rapping About Violence: 'I Got More To Talk About Now'|work=Complex|last=Tigg|first=FNR|date=September 6, 2020|access-date=October 15, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023070747/https://amp.www.complex.com/music/2020/09/nle-choppa-to-stop-rapping-about-violence|url-status=dead}} On October 15, he announced a new project titled From Dark to Light, which was released on November 1, his birthday. The mix tape's cover art sees him sitting with his legs crossed in an outside setting, with butterflies around him and a rainbow in the distance; a nod to his new spiritual journey.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nle-choppa-announces-new-project-from-dark-to-light-news.119641.html?_amp|title=NLE Choppa Announces New Project "From Dark To Light"|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Zidel|first=Alex|date=October 15, 2020|access-date=October 15, 2020}} On October 23, NLE released the music video for his song, "Narrow Road" featuring Lil Baby. The music video has over 30 million views on YouTube.{{cite web|title=NLE Choppa Biography Music Career|url=https://networthbaze.com/nle-choppa-net-worth-height|website=NetWorthBaze|date=January 3, 2021|access-date=February 18, 2021}}

{{clear}}

Choppa previously teased "Shotta Flow 6"{{cite news|date=August 27, 2020|title=NLE CHOPPA SAYS 'SHOTTA FLOW 6' WILL ONLY HAPPEN WITH A LIL WAYNE FEATURE|work=HipHopDX|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.57552/title.nle-choppa-says-shotta-flow-6-will-only-happen-with-a-lil-wayne-feature#}} and in February 2021, "Walk Em Down 2" with Lil Durk through a tweet.{{cite tweet|number=1361147876064120833|user=Nlechoppa1|title=Walk Em Down 2 @lildurk 😈🔥🔥|date=February 15, 2021|access-date=May 23, 2021}} The latter is included on his fifth mixtape, Me vs. Me, which was released on January 28, 2022. It consists of 16 tracks and includes guest appearances from Young Thug, Polo G, G Herbo, and Moneybagg Yo.{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Jordan|date=January 28, 2022|title=NLE Choppa Releases 'Me vs. Me' Project f/ Young Thug, Polo G, Moneybagg Yo, and G Herbo|url=https://www.complex.com/music/nle-choppa-me-vs-me-stream|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128135029/https://www.complex.com/music/nle-choppa-me-vs-me-stream|archive-date=January 28, 2022|access-date=January 28, 2022|website=Complex}} "Shotta Flow 6" was released on January 28, 2022, with an accompanying music video. It is the seventh single from Me Vs. Me, and is the sixth installment in the "Shotta Flow" series. In November of that year, he was featured on rapper Lambo40e’s single "Self Esteem".

He released the single "Shotta Flow 7" in December 2023.{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2023 |title=Shotta Flow 7 - Single by NLE Choppa |website=Spotify |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1sDAOcqpwOFrDyrIncZn4d?si=nhDcFbBMRhO_GMwraHG__g }}

Potts is noted for his "animated vocals" and energetic rapping and aggressive tones, which he notably employed on his breakout single, "Shotta Flow".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/levels/nle-choppa-shotta-flow-new-song-listen|title=New Rap Song of the Day: NLE Choppa's 'Shotta Flow|work=Pitchfork|last=Pierre|first=Alphonse|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2020}} His sound has also been described as "melodic", albeit "heavy-hitting".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8498476/nle-choppa-turned-down-a-3-million-record-deal-partner-united-masters|title=Why 16-Year-Old Rapper NLE Choppa Turned Down a $3 Million Record Deal to Partner With UnitedMasters: Exclusive|last=Cirisano|first=Tatiana|date=February 15, 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 14, 2020}} Jessica McKinney of Complex magazine stated he usually has a "wild and rambunctious" delivery in his verses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/best-new-music-this-week-the-weeknd-mac-miller-nle-choppa|title=Best New Music This Week: The Weeknd, Mac Miller, NLE Choppa, and More|work=Complex|last=McKinney|first=Jessica|date=March 20, 2020|access-date=April 14, 2020}} As a child, he listened to UGK and Lil Wayne, however he recalls listening "to a lot of unreleased music all around the city" of Memphis.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/nle-choppa-memphis-rap-hero-with-the-golden-touch-2753578?amp|title=NLE Choppa: Memphis rap hero with the golden touch|work=NME|last=Williams|first=Kyann-Sian|date=September 16, 2020|access-date=October 15, 2020}}

On June 20, 2020, Potts fathered his first child.{{Cite web|url=https://rapcurrent.com/2020/06/nle-choppa-and-ex-girlfriend-mariah-welcome-baby-girl|title=NLE Choppa & Ex-Girlfriend Mariah Welcome Baby Girl|date=June 21, 2020|website=RapCurrent}}{{cite web | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/nle-choppa-daughter-kept-him-from-committing-suicide-1234760631/ | title=NLE Choppa Says His Daughter Kept Him from Committing Suicide | date=May 30, 2023 }} He said, "I knew I needed to change and be a better person for my daughter".

In August 2020, Potts launched a YouTube channel called "Awakened Choppa", where he documented his holistic and healthier lifestyle, which included veganism and gardening.

During an unspecified time, Potts served time at a juvenile detention center, and said his time there motivated him to improve his behavior. In an episode of his YouTube series The Rise of NLE Choppa, he said being in jail helped him and was an "eye-opener".

On March 29, 2021, Potts was arrested for burglary, drug and weapon charges. He released a freestyle called "First Day Out" over the viral SpotemGottem's "Beat Box" beat.{{Cite web|url=https://www.browardclerk.org/Web2/CaseSearchECA/CaseDetail/?caseid=MTExNTMzNzg%3d-FTa8QiIvG6Q%3d&caseNum=21002970CF10A&category=CR&accessLevelCodeOUT=ANONYMOUS&ato=D|title=Broward County Clerk of Court|website=browardclerk.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/nle-choppa-arrested-faces-burglary-gun-and-drug-posssion-charges|title=NLE Choppa Arrested, Faces Burglary, Gun, and Drug Possession Charges|website=Complex.com}}

On March 6, 2022, he announced that he and his then-girlfriend, Marissa Da’Nae, had lost their unborn son due to a miscarriage.{{Cite web |url=https://uproxx.com/music/nle-choppa-girlfriend-suffered-miscarriage/ |title=NLE Choppa And His Girlfriend Marrissa Da'Nae Revealed That They Suffered A Miscarriage |date=2022-03-06 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Uproxx |last=Okon |first=Wongo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306201100/https://uproxx.com/music/nle-choppa-girlfriend-suffered-miscarriage/ |archive-date=2022-03-06 |url-status=live}} On August 16, 2023, they welcomed Potts’ second child and Da’Nae’s first child.{{Cite web |title=NLE Choppa shares heartfelt name explanation for son ChoZen Wone |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-08-17/322519/nle-choppa-shares-name-explanation-for-son-chozen-wone/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=REVOLT |language=en-US}}

{{Main|NLE Choppa discography}}

Studio albums

• Top Shotta (2020)
• Cottonwood 2 (2023)

{{Reflist}}

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• {{Official website|nlechoppa.com}}
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Category:2002 births

Category:Living people

Category:American rappers of Jamaican descent

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:Crips

Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists

Category:Warner Records artists

Category:Southern hip-hop musicians

Category:21st-century African-American male singers

Category:Singers from Memphis, Tennessee

Category:American child rappers

Category:Rappers from Memphis, Tennessee

Category:Songwriters from Tennessee

Category:American trap musicians

Category:Gangsta rappers

Category:YouTubers from Tennessee