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Bryson LaShun Potts, (born November 1, 2002), known professionally as NLE The Great[1] (previously NLE Choppa and YNR Choppa), is an American rapper and songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee. He gained recognition with the release of his 2019 single "Shotta Flow", which received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The song preceded his debut extended play (EP), Cottonwood, in December of that year.
Potts signed with Warner Records to release his debut studio album Top Shotta (2020), which peaked within the top ten of the US Billboard 200 and was supported by the top 40 singles "Camelot" and "Walk Em Down" (featuring Roddy Ricch). His fourth and fifth mixtapes, From Dark to Light (2020) and Me vs. Me (2022) preceded the release of his second studio album Cottonwood 2 (2023), which contained his highest-charting single, "Slut Me Out" (remixed featuring Sexyy Red).
After the surge of popularity, he released his breakout single "Shotta Flow". The video reached 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 and a Cole Bennett-directed music video, 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, from Republic Records, Interscope Records, Caroline, however, to instead sign with the independent distribution company, UnitedMasters including Neo Lechweny, 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 a parole violation after a shootout in Miami. 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 Potts. On September 13, 2019, he 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, Potts 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.
He released the single "Shotta Flow 7" in December 2023. In April 2025, Choppa released a children's book Cricket Stop Cricking. He released the book with the aim of promoting literacy in children.
In August 2020, Potts launched a YouTube channel called "Awakened Choppa", where he documented his holistic and healthier lifestyle, which included veganism and gardening.
During an unspecified time, Potts served time at a juvenile detention center, and said his time there motivated him to improve his behavior. In an episode of his YouTube series The Rise of NLE Choppa, he said being in jail helped him and was an "eye-opener".
On March 29, 2021, Potts was arrested for burglary, drug and weapon charges. He released a freestyle called "First Day Out" over the viral SpotemGottem's "Beat Box" beat.
On March 6, 2022, he announced that he and his then-girlfriend, Marissa Da'Nae, had lost their unborn son due to a miscarriage. On August 16, 2023, they welcomed Potts' second child and Da'Nae's first child.
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