NLE Choppa's No-Love Entertainment: Building a Music Empire

 NLE Choppa is an American rapper and songwriter. He gained significant popularity in the music industry, particularly in the hip-hop and rap genres.

At a young age, he started freestyling with friends, but it was at the age of 15 when he began taking music more seriously. His breakout single "Shotta Flow" gained widespread attention, and he turned down lucrative record deals to remain independent, opting for a distribution deal with United Masters, allowing him to own his masters.

NLE Choppa has released several successful tracks, and his music often features themes related to his upbringing, life experiences, and his city, Memphis. He has amassed a large following on various social media platforms and is well-regarded for his unique style and energy in his music.

But before fame, before he turned down a $3-million-dollar record deal at the age of 16, before he had achieved remarkable success with over a million followers on Instagram and more than 400 thousand subscribers on YouTube, he was like any other Memphis kid with the hopes of hitting it big. 

However, his fame came with some unwanted attention from the police, who contacted his family after seeing him posing with guns on social media.

His breakthrough came with the release of his hit song "Shotta Flow," which has now garnered over 34 million views on YouTube and earned him endorsements from big names like Meek Mill, LeBron James, Birdman, and surprisingly, even Stevie Wonder.

Despite the tempting offers from major record labels, NLE Choppa decided to take a different path and signed a distribution deal that allowed him to retain ownership of his music. He took inspiration from Lil Uzi Vert's situation in the music industry.

Apart from his musical journey, Choppa had a talent for basketball and was quite skilled on the court, as evidenced by some old footage of him playing. Although he won't pursue a basketball scholarship, he does have aspirations of attending college in the future.

NLE Choppa, originally named Bryson Potts, was born on November 1, 2002, on the east side of Memphis, Tennessee. Speaking about his hometown, he expressed how Memphis has gained more recognition recently, thanks to artists like Drake who have helped put the city on the map. Drake has strong ties to Memphis as his dad was born and raised there, considering it a second home.

Choppa had a challenging childhood in Memphis, but he remembers it as a place filled with vibrant energy, dancing, and fun. His mother, a businesswoman, instilled the principles of entrepreneurship in him from an early age. She remains an important figure in his life and even manages his career.

In one of his songs, Choppa dedicates heartfelt lyrics to his mother, showing their strong bond. Despite his fame, she still maintains discipline and won't hesitate to scold him if needed. She was even featured on the news after her BMW got stolen, emphasizing the importance of locking doors and taking precautions.

Before pursuing music, Choppa's first passion was basketball, and he admired Kobe Bryant for his work ethic. He played for his high school team and showed promise, but his frequent troubles hindered him from fully dedicating himself to becoming an athlete. 

Besides sports, Choppa also took Karate lessons and enjoyed playing video games, particularly NBA 2K, despite the game sometimes making him angry.

At the age of 14, Choppa began freestyling with his friends, but it wasn't until a year later that he decided to take music more seriously. He was surrounded by people making music, including friends and neighbors, which inspired him to record himself as well. His journey in music started at the studio, where he began making his mark.

During high school at Cordova High School, Choppa became more invested in rap, although he faced challenges balancing his musical pursuits with his troublemaking, which affected his grades.

His musical influences include Bob Marley, whom he listens to regularly, and he grew up with artists like Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Lil Durk, and NBA Youngboy shaping his rap style. However, he's often compared to NBA Youngboy, which he finds annoying.

Initially known as YNR Choppa, he released a few songs on YouTube but didn't gain much traction. Later, he changed his name to NLE Choppa, where NLE stands for No Love Entertainment. He explained that the name represented his transformation from showing no love to others and turning it into a brand. "Choppa" was a name people back home used for him.

His breakout song under the new name was "No-Love Anthem," part of the No Chorus series he did with his friends from the Shotta Family. The third installment, "No Chorus Part 3," gained significant attention, especially for Choppa's verse, which garnered local recognition.

After gaining around 30,000 followers locally, Choppa resorted to some controversial actions, including posting content with guns to attract more followers. However, most of these old posts have been deleted.

The real breakthrough came with his hit song "Shotta Flow." Initially freestyling to the beat in his car, he eventually recorded the official version and created a video for it. 

The song gained immense popularity through dance apps like Dubsmash and numerous YouTube reaction videos. Within a month of release, the official video surpassed 10 million views, propelling him to the next level of fame.

Despite his success, Choppa faced some backlash due to his content and use of guns in his posts. People questioned his young age and possession of firearms, with some expressing concern and warning him to be careful.

By the time Choppa turned 16, his music had garnered millions of views on YouTube, and he had even made a substantial profit from the music video. This level of success was quite different from the typical teenage experiences, like getting a job or facing ordinary challenges.

Initially, Choppa faced some backlash due to the presence of guns in his early videos. However, he clarified that this was a reflection of everyday life in Memphis, not an attempt to promote violence. Nevertheless, he decided to be more thoughtful and creative with his future videos, aiming for endorsements and collaborations with major companies.

His live performances were gaining immense popularity, with high school crowds enthusiastically singing along to his lyrics. The energy and connection with his audience kept him motivated during shows.

As his fame skyrocketed, Choppa found himself getting homeschooled to manage his increasing commitments and stay focused on his future. The attention also attracted the interest of record executives and various opportunities in the music industry.

Overall, the overwhelming success and attention were both thrilling and challenging for Choppa, but he remained determined to make the most of his newfound fame and opportunities.

After attracting significant attention from major record labels, Choppa engaged in a bidding war that reached a staggering $3 million. However, he made a bold and unprecedented decision to turn down these offers and remain independent. 

Instead, he signed a distribution deal with United Masters, allowing him to maintain ownership of his music, and the move has already proven successful, with him earning around $300,000 from his music alone.

Choppa is focused on long-term success and has started building his own record company called No Love Entertainment. He envisions creating something significant not just for himself but also for his family. He plans to invest in real estate and start his own shoe company with his first significant check from music.

Despite his rising fame, Choppa remains humble and aims to give back to those less fortunate. He wants to share his blessings with others and help them become the best versions of themselves.

In terms of his circle, Choppa has chosen to keep it small, sticking with the same people he came up with. While many prominent figures have reached out to him, including Meek Mill, J. Cole, and LeBron James, Choppa is staying grounded and focused on his future goals.

He plans to move to either Atlanta or Florida and intends to go to college to study business, showing his determination to continue learning and growing in all aspects of life. Overall, Choppa is setting a strong example for young artists, emphasizing the importance of independence, financial responsibility, and giving back to the community.