NLE Choppa

At only 19-years-old, Memphis rapper NLE Choppa has already established himself as one of hip-hop’s most intriguing young stars, finding overnight fame before quickly subverting expectations. At just 16, he became an international sensation with his 2019 viral hit “Shotta Flow,” which he followed with a string of other successful singles and his debut EP “Cottonwood,” a project steeped in Southern trap and Chicago-style drill. Following his quick rise, NLE Choppa flexed his fierce entrepreneurial spirit, turning down several offers from major labels in order to retain the ownership of his songs and to forge his own creative path. In August 2020, he released his first proper studio album Top Shotta, which received praise for its melodic flows and sharp-set energy. Just months later, he displayed a jarring degree of artistic and personal growth with the release of his mixtape “From Dark to Light.” Rather than delivering the gritty and violent street tales that he had become known for, NLE Choppa explores the spiritual changes in his life, rapping about meditation, adopting a vegan diet, and self-love. This impressive display of versatility is yet another promising sign for a young artist still finding his voice.