Memphis Rapper NLE Choppa Sparks $3 Million Label Bidding War: Exclusive
2/13/2019 by Tatiana Cirisano
NLE Choppa, "Shotta Flow"
Several labels have been racing to sign teenage Memphis rapper NLE Choppa, with bids reaching at least $3 million, sources tell Billboard.
Interscope, Republic, EMPIRE and Caroline are among those who've expressed interest in the emerging artist, who has gone from little-known teenager to viral rapper in just over a month.
Choppa, real name Bryson Potts, first caught the internet's attention around Christmas as part of a music video called "No Chorus Pt 3" uploaded to YouTube from Memphis rap collective Shotta Fam. Choppa's proper debut song, the rambunctious, boastful "Shotta Flow," hit YouTube on Jan. 10 -- and hasn't stopped raking in views since. The frenetic video, where Choppa and friends bounce around toting prop guns outside a house in his hometown, has since topped 9.7 million views, with a reaction video trend on the heels of it. NLE appears to stand for No Love Entertainment.
The rapper currently has only one other track on Spotify, titled -- now perhaps ironically, as he sorts through label offers -- "I Don't Need No Help." He has also released a collaboration with fellow Memphis native BlocBoy JB, "ChopBloc," on YouTube, and recently posted footage in the studio with Jeremih and Cash Money boss Birdman. Over the weekend, Choppa was seen chatting with the Cash Money crew at Republic's Grammys after party.
Choppa's team did not respond to a request for comment, nor did representatives from the aforementioned labels.