Biography

Bryson Lashun Potts, better known as NLE Choppa, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his January 2019 breakout single "Shotta Flow", which was certified platinum by the RIAA. 

2018: First songs and early fame

NLE Choppa's manager is his mother, Angela Potts, who has been managing him since he started expressing an interest in rap music. 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.

2019: Billboard-charting singles and Cottonwood

After the surge of popularity, he released his breakout single "Shotta Flow" a week later. The video amassed 10 million views in a month. 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". The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2019, debuting at number 96. 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.

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". 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. He turned these offers down, however, to instead sign with the independent distribution company, UnitedMasters, while keeping his master recordings and publishing. In March, he released a new single called "Capo", with the music video debuting on Worldstarhiphop. Also in March, he was featured on Birdman and Juvenile's song "Dreams". 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. It was made as a tribute to his favorite childhood rapper, Lil Wayne. 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." 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. According to Billboard magazine, No Love Entertainment is slated to release new music from NLE Choppa. On September 13, 2019, NLE Choppa released a new single titled "Camelot". The song peaked at number 37 in the US, becoming his second Top 40 hit, following "Shotta Flow".

On December 20, 2019, NLE Choppa released his debut extended play titled Cottonwood. The EP, named after the area he grew up in, 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.

2020: Top Shotta

NLE Choppa's debut studio album, Top Shotta was initially set for release in early 2020, however the album is now due August 7, 2020. 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". The single "Narrow Road" featuring Lil Baby is set for release of July 30.

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