As a hip hop head who grew up in the south, I‘ve been a fan of NLE Choppa since the beginning of his meteoric rise to fame. Here‘s an in-depth look at the rap wunderkind who hails from my hometown of Memphis.
| NLE CHOPPA | Age: 20 | Birthday: November 1, 2002 | Hometown: Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube |
From Memphis Kid to Burgeoning Superstar
I still remember the first time I heard NLE Choppa‘s breakout track "Shotta Flow" on SoundCloud back in 2018. The raw charisma and youthful exuberance in his voice was infectious. As a Memphis native myself, it was thrilling to watch this local kid explode onto the national hip hop scene seemingly overnight.
Now 20 years old, NLE Choppa has achieved more success than most rappers do in a lifetime. He signed a lucrative major label record deal with Warner Bros in 2019 after "Shotta Flow" amassed millions of streams online. Choppa‘s subsequent releases showcase an artist wise beyond his years, with intricate flows and vivid, masterful storytelling skills.
Seeing this talented young visionary represent my hometown on the world stage fills me with immense pride. The way Choppa is able to balance catchy choruses with hard-hitting bars reminds me of Memphis rap pioneers like Three 6 Mafia. Yet he has developed his own distinctive melodic sound that pays homage to his roots while still feeling fresh and innovative.
Earning Respect from Hip Hop Legends
Another marker of Choppa‘s meteoric rise has been collaborations with many of rap‘s most acclaimed veterans. Songs like "Make ‘Em Say" with Lil Baby and "Jumpin" featuring DaBaby put the spotlight on Choppa, who proved he could shine even next to such massive stars.
Watching Choppa trade bars with personal heroes like Ludacris has been awe-inspiring. Luda even praised him as the future of hip hop. As a longtime southern rap fan, seeing Choppa get love from all these influential figures feels like a validation of his prodigious talents.
Despite his youth, Choppa carries himself like a seasoned veteran, unfazed by the pressures of fame. His levelheaded humility and dedication to his craft convinces me he has the mindset to become a legend in his own right.
A Non-Stop Hit Machine
Ever since Choppa first erupted onto the scene, he‘s maintained a remarkably consistent release schedule, dropping new singles, EPs, and mixtapes at a breakneck pace.
He officially released his first studio album Cottonwood in 2019 at just 16 years old. The record shot to #2 on the Billboard 200, fueled by bangers like "Capo" and "Shotta Flow 5." His 2020 follow-up album From Dark to Light spawned the hits "Make Em Say" and "Narrow Road," showing Choppa‘s versatility.
It seems like every few months, another NLE Choppa single catches fire and gets added to my playlists. Anthemic tracks like "Final Warning" and "Picture Me Grapin" showcase his effortless ear for catchy hooks. Choppa‘s relentless work ethic at such a young age makes me confident he has the drive to keep levelling up.
Putting Memphis on the Map
As much as Choppa has accomplished already, I believe the best is yet to come. Through his success, he‘s shining a huge spotlight on the Memphis rap scene and inspiring youth in the city to pursue their dreams.
Choppa frequently collaborates with fellow Memphis artists and producers to put on rising talent. He‘s also given back to his community through donations, charity initiatives, and by being a positive role model.
NLE Choppa has not only cemented himself as the most popular Memphis rapper in years – he‘s also paved the way for the next generation of talent to emerge from the Bluff City. His legacy and impact will be felt in Memphis for decades to come.
For longtime fans like myself who‘ve watched his journey from the start, it‘s been incredible seeing Choppa realize his massive potential and become a household name. At 20 years old, he‘s just getting warmed up. I can‘t wait to see what he accomplishes next on his path to icon status.