NLE Choppa
Bryson Lashun Potts[2] (born November 1, 2002), better known as NLE Choppa (formerly YNR Choppa), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame with his January 2019 single "Shotta Flow", which was certified platinum by the RIAA and peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was featured on his debut EP Cottonwood.
NLE Choppa | |
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NLE Choppa at Icebox in 2019 | |
Background information | |
Also known as |
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Born | [1] Memphis, Tennessee | November 1, 2002
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2018–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
Potts released his debut studio album Top Shotta on August 7, 2020. The album contained the singles "Camelot" and "Walk Em Down", which reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.[3]
Early life
Potts was born to a Jamaican mother and an African-American father.[4] He was raised in Memphis, Tennessee in its Parkway Village neighborhood and attended the Cordova High School where he played basketball.[5] He began freestyling with friends at the age of 14 and started taking music seriously at 15.[6] During an unspecified time, NLE Choppa served time at a juvenile detention center.[7] He has never revealed what he was arrested for, but he claimed his time in detention motivated him to turn his life around. In an episode of his YouTube series The Rise of NLE Choppa, he said that being in detention helped him a lot and was an "eye-opener".[7]
Musical career
2018–2019: Mainstream debut and Cottonwood
NLE Choppa's manager is his mother, Angela Potts, who has been managing him since he started expressing an interest in rap music.[7] He released his first song, "No Love Anthem", in February 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.[8][9]
After the surge of popularity, he released his breakout single "Shotta Flow" a week later. The video amassed 10 million views in a month.[10] 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".[11] The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2019, debuting at number 96.[12] It later peaked at number 36. The official remix, featuring Blueface, directed by Cole Bennett, was released in June, shortly after the original song was certified platinum by the RIAA.[13]
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".[14] 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.[15] He turned these offers down, however, to instead sign with the independent distribution company, UnitedMasters, while keeping his master recordings and publishing.[16] In March, he released a new single called "Capo", with the music video debuting on Worldstarhiphop.[17] Also in March, he was featured on Birdman and Juvenile's song "Dreams".[18] 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.[19] It was made as a tribute to his favorite childhood rapper, Lil Wayne.[20] 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."[21] 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 shooting and because he violated his parole. This song was the first release from his own label No Love Entertainment (NLE), which he launched in partnership with Warner Records.[22] According to Billboard magazine, No Love Entertainment is slated to release new music from NLE Choppa.[22] On September 13, 2019, NLE Choppa released a new single titled "Camelot".[23] The song peaked at number 37 in the US, becoming his second Top 40 hit, following "Shotta Flow".[3]
On December 20, 2019, NLE Choppa released his debut extended play titled Cottonwood.[24] The EP, named after the area he grew up in,[25] 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.[24]
2020: Top Shotta
NLE Choppa's debut studio album, Top Shotta was initially set for release in early 2020,[4] and was preceeded by multiple singles.[26] On 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 fifth sequel to his 2019 single "Shotta Flow".[27] The single "Narrow Road" featuring Lil Baby released on July 30.[28] One week later, on August 7, Top Shotta was released. On August 11, 2020, NLE Choppa was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.[29]
Musical style
NLE Choppa is noted for his "animated vocals" and energetic rapping, which he notably employed on his breakout single, "Shotta Flow".[30] His sound has also been described as "melodic", albeit "heavy-hitting".[31] Jessica McKinney of Complex magazine stated he usually has a "wild and rambunctious" delivery in his verses.[32]
Personal life
On June 20, 2020, NLE Choppa welcomed his first child[33], a daughter named Clover Brylie Potts.[34]
During an unspecified time, NLE Choppa served time at a juvenile detention center.[7] He has never revealed what he was arrested for, but he said his time in detention motivated him to turn his life around. In an episode of his YouTube series The Rise of NLE Choppa, he said that being in detention helped him a lot and was an "eye-opener".[7]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
US | ||
Top Shotta |
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10 |
Extended plays
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US [35] |
US R&B/HH [36] |
CAN [37] | ||
Cottonwood[38] |
|
57 | 20 | 64 |
Mixtapes
Title | Details |
---|---|
No Love the Takeover (as YNR Choppa) |
|
Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [3] |
US R&B/HH [40] |
US Rap [41] |
CAN [42] |
IRE [43] |
NZ Hot [44] |
UK [45] | ||||
"Shotta Flow" (solo or with Blueface) |
2019 | 36 | 14 | 12 | 42 | 75 | 40 | — |
|
Cottonwood |
"Nolove Anthem"[47] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No Love the Takeover | ||
"Shotta Flow 2"[48] | — | —[upper-alpha 1] | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Non-album singles | |
"Capo"[51] | — | —[upper-alpha 2] | — | — | — | — | — |
| ||
"Birdboy"[53] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Blocc Is Hot"[54] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"ChopBloc" (with BlocBoy JB) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Stick by My Side"[55] (with Clever) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Free Youngboy"[56] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Shotta Flow 3"[57] | —[upper-alpha 3] | —[upper-alpha 4] | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Top Shotta | |
"Camelot"[60] | 37 | 17 | 14 | 35 | 78 | 10 | — |
| ||
"ChopBloc 2" (with BlocBoy JB)[62] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Forever"[63] | —[upper-alpha 5] | —[upper-alpha 6] | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Dekario"[64] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Famous Hoes" | 83 | 36 | — | 95 | — | — | — |
| ||
"Side" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Cottonwood | ||
"Exotic"[66] | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"Go Stupid"[67] (with Polo G, Stunna 4 Vegas and Mike Will Made It) |
60 | 29 | 20 | 28 | 97 | 17 | — |
|
The Goat | |
"100 Shots" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
"Walk Em Down"[68] (featuring Roddy Ricch) |
38 | 16 | 14 | 49 | 65 [69] | 9 | 85 |
|
Top Shotta | |
"Shotta Flow 5"[27] | 54 | 23 | 20 | 51 | — | 15 | — | |||
"Narrow Road" (featuring Lil Baby)[28] |
—[upper-alpha 7] | 46 | — | — | — | 19 | — | |||
"Make Em Say" (featuring Mulatto) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
As featured artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US R&B/HH Main. [70] |
US Rhy. [71] |
NZ Hot [72] | |||
"Hit the Scene" (White $osa featuring NLE Choppa) |
2019 | — | — | — | Non-album singles |
"Beef"[73] (9lokkNine featuring Murda Beatz and NLE Choppa) |
— | — | — | ||
"Get Like Me" (Bhad Bhabie featuring NLE Choppa) |
— | — | — | ||
"Zombie" (Kodak Black featuring NLE Choppa and DB Omerta)[74] |
— | — | — | ||
"Hit Yo Dance" (Rubi Rose featuring NLE Choppa and Yella Beezy) |
23 | 29 | — | ||
"Holy Moly" (Blueface featuring NLE Choppa) |
2020 | — | — | 32 | Find the Beat |
"Grim Reapa Flow" (30 Deep Grimeyy featuring NLE Choppa) |
— | — | — | Non-album single | |
"6locc 6a6y" (Remix)[75](Lil Loaded featuring NLE Choppa) | — | — | — | 6locc 6a6y |
Other charted songs
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
NZ Hot [76] | |||
"Matrix" | 2019 | 35 | Cottonwood |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Dreams" | 2019 | Birdman, Juvenile | Just Another Gangsta |
"Double" | Smokepurpp | Lost Planet | |
"Dance" | HoodRich Pablo Juan, Key Glock | BLO: The Movie | |
"100 or Better" | Stunna 4 Vegas | Big 4x | |
"Time to Shine" | Young E.Z. | Time to Shine | |
"Hittas" | Yella Beezy | Baccend Beezy | |
"Poles" | Quin Nfn | 4Nun | |
"John Gotti" | B. Lou | Bow |
Notes
- "Shotta Flow 2" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number nine on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[49]
- "Capo" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 10 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[49]
- "Shotta Flow 3" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 19 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[58]
- "Shotta Flow 3" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number five on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[49]
- "Forever" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 18 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[58]
- "Forever" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number six on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[49]
- "Narrow Road" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[58]
References
- "About NLE Choppa". Booking Agent Info. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Zidel, Alex (October 9, 2019). "NLE Choppa Announces He's Officially Off Probation". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- Richards, M.T (January 23, 2020). "NLE Choppa: Young Memphis Rapper Tops Emerging Artist Charts". Memphis Flyer Newspaper. Memphis,Tennessee,USA. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- Smith, Courtney (October 22, 2018). "4 observations from Cordova's open gym workout". Prep Hoops. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Seabrook III, Robby (February 20, 2019). "THE BREAK PRESENTS: NLE CHOPPA". XXL. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Jessica, McKinney (October 2, 2019). "Everything You Need to Know About NLE Choppa". Complex. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- "NLE Choppa: The Shotta Flow Rapper On The Come Up". The Double Cup. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Creekmur, Chuck (February 11, 2019). "NLE Choppa: The 16 Year Old Viral Phenom Looks To Take The Game Over". All Hip-Hop. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Clitandre, Nunet (February 14, 2019). "Interview: NLE Choppa Is Only 16 Years Old & Wants To Make Millions To Give Back". Hip-Hop DX. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Pierre, Alphonse (January 15, 2019). "The Ones: NLE Choppa's 'Shotta Flow'". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Zellner, Xander (May 1, 2019). "NLE Choppa Scores First Billboard Hot 100 Entry With 'Shotta Flow'". Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- "Blueface Assists NLE Choppa On The 'Shotta Flow' Remix". HotNewHipHop. June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- Lamarre, Carl (April 23, 2019). "Emerging Hip-Hop: NLE Choppa, Kiana Lede & Luh Kel Make Noise With Latest Chart Moves". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Cirisano, Tatiana (February 13, 2019). "Memphis Rapper NLE Choppa Sparks $3 Million Label Bidding War: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Cirisano, Tatiana (February 15, 2019). "Why 16-Year-Old Rapper NLE Choppa Turned Down a $3 Million Record Deal to Partner With UnitedMasters: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- "NLE Choppa – Capo". WORLDSTARHIPHOP. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- Zidel, Alex (March 14, 2019). "Birdman & Juvenile Boost NLE Choppa With Dope New Single "Dreams"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- Saponara, Michael (May 3, 2019). "NLE Choppa & ATL Jacob Talk New Single 'Blocc Is Hot,' Wanting to Get Lil Wayne on the Remix". MSN. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Pierre, Milca (May 4, 2019). "NLE Choppa Returns On 'Blocc Is Hot'". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- Mehr, Bob (May 5, 2019). "Memphis rapper NLE Choppa brings the party to Beale Street Music Festival". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
- Eggertsen, Chris (July 12, 2019). "NLE Choppa Launches Own Label in Partnership with Warner Records". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- "Watch NLE Choppa's Cole Bennett-Directed Video for "Camelot"". Complex. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- Price, Joe (December 20, 2019). "NLE Choppa Drops 'Cottonwood' Project". Complex. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- McKinney, Jessica (December 13, 2019). "NLE Choppa Spent Years Praying For Success—Now He Wants to Change Everyone's Lives". Complex. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- "Album Drops August 7Th. Last Delay I Promise. I Just Want It Perfect 💯". July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via @nlechoppa1 on Twitter (confirmed account).
- Rose, Jordan (June 12, 2020). "NLE Choppa Unleashes Video for New Track "Shotta Flow 5"". Complex. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- "Narrow Road Ft @lilbaby4PF TOMORROW and ALBUM PRE ORDER 💜". July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020 – via @nlechoppa1 on Twitter (confirmed account).
- Cline, Georgette (August 11, 2020). "XXL 2020 FRESHMAN CLASS REVEALED". XXL. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- Pierre, Alphonse (January 15, 2019). "New Rap Song of the Day: NLE Choppa's 'Shotta Flow". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- Cirisano, Tatiana (February 15, 2019). "Why 16-Year-Old Rapper NLE Choppa Turned Down a $3 Million Record Deal to Partner With UnitedMasters: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- McKinney, Jessica (March 20, 2020). "Best New Music This Week: The Weeknd, Mac Miller, NLE Choppa, and More". Complex. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- https://twitter.com/Nlechoppa1/status/1274448707212193792?s=19
- https://twitter.com/Nlechoppa1/status/1271984294307811330?s=19
- @billboardcharts (December 30, 2019). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/2)" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2019 – via Twitter.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Canadian Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- McKinney, Jessica (December 13, 2019). "NLE Choppa Spent Years Praying For Success—Now He Wants to Change Everyone's Lives". Complex. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- "No Love Take Over by YNR Choppa". Retrieved September 16, 2019 – via Apple Music.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "Discography NLE Choppa". irish-charts.com. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
- "Shotta Flow": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 1, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- "Camelot": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 23, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- "Go Stupid": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- "Walk 'Em Down": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- "NLE Choppa ft Roddy Ricch | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- "Nolove Anthem – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- "Shotta Flow 2 – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- "Gold & Platinum – Shotta Flow 2". RIAA.
- "Capo – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- "Gold & Platinum – Capo". RIAA.
- "Birdboy – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- "Blocc Is Hot – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- "Stick by My Side – Single by NLE Choppa & Clever". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- "Free Youngboy – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music.
- "Shotta Flow 3 – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- "Gold & Platinum – Shotta Flow 3". RIAA.
- Mahadevan, Tara (September 13, 2019). "Watch NLE Choppa's Cole Bennett-Directed Video for 'Camelot'". Complex. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- "Camelot RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "ChopBloc 2 – Single by BlocBoy JB". Apple Music.
- "Forever – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- "Dekario (Pain) – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music". Apple Music.
- "Gold & Platinum". RIAA.
- "Exotic – Single by NLE Choppa on Apple Music".
- "Polo G Teams With Mike WiLL Made-It and Tay Keith on New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. n.d.
- "NLE Choppa & Roddy Ricch Let The Choppa Sing On "Walk Em Down"". HotNewHipHop. n.d.
- "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
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- "NLE Choppa Chart History: Rhythmic". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- "Beef – Single by 9lokkNine on Apple Music".
- "Zombie (feat. NLE Choppa & DB Omerta) – Single Kodak Black". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- "6locc 6a6y (Remix) [feat. NLE Choppa] - Single by Lil Loaded on Apple Music". Retrieved August 9, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.