If you haven’t been keeping tabs on the Memphis rap scene lately, you might be wondering what exactly is going on with NLE Choppa. Or should I say NLE The Great?
Yeah, he changed it.
Most people still picture the 16-year-old kid from 2019 dancing with a "choppa" in the "Shotta Flow" video. That image is burned into the collective memory of Gen Z. But if you look at him today, in 2026, he’s basically a different human being. He’s gone from a teenage viral sensation to a spiritual herbalist, a movie director, and now a rebrand that has a lot of fans scratching their heads.
Honestly, the transition has been jarring for some. You’ve got half the fanbase wanting the old "Camelot" energy and the other half trying to figure out why he’s telling them to sunbathe their feet in the grass.
The Rebrand: Why NLE Choppa is now NLE The Great
In late 2025, Bryson Potts (his real name, for those who don't know) officially pulled the trigger on a massive career pivot. He didn't just change his Instagram handle; he chopped off the signature hair and started moving like a veteran. This wasn't just for show.
He’s calling this era a "cultural intervention."
Recently, he dropped a track called "KO." On the surface, it’s a diss track aimed at NBA YoungBoy. But if you listen to the lyrics and watch the video—which features a very specific YB look-alike—it’s more like a lecture. He’s trying to position himself as a "corrective force" in hip-hop. It’s a bold move. Some call it growth; others call it "doing too much."
But Choppa—sorry, NLE The Great—has always been about extreme shifts. Remember when he vowed to stop rapping about violence in 2020? He told the world he wanted to "wake people up." He even started a YouTube channel called Awakened Choppa to document his gardening and veganism.
The industry usually hates when rappers get "too preachy," but somehow he’s managed to stay relevant. You’ve probably seen him on Kirk Franklin’s podcast Den Of Kings recently. Seeing a Memphis rapper sit down with a gospel legend to talk about the "Book of Job" isn't exactly what people expected when "Shotta Flow" blew up.
What happened to his health and the 2025 tour?
Things got a bit rocky in April 2025. He was supposed to headline the "Wake the Giant" show at Quinnipiac University, but he ended up canceling. His management team cited "exhaustion and dehydration."
It was a wake-up call.
He’d been "slaving in the studio," as he put it, trying to find new sounds. The guy was burnt out. He actually took a three-to-four-month hiatus right after that. He literally went back to Memphis—which he calls the "most dangerous city"—just to plant his feet in the dirt. He claimed he left millions of dollars on the table just to sit still.
Recent Career Milestones (2024-2026)
- Music Releases: He’s been prolific. We got Slut Szn and Picasso: Sluffin Szn x Slut Szn in late 2024. Then came the pivot to more serious content with "KO" and "Hello Revenge" in 2025.
- Directing: He actually directed a remake of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s film The Wash in November 2024. It featured Lil Wayne and Sukihana.
- Fashion: He partnered with FCTRY LAb (led by an ex-Yeezy head) to release a neon yellow "Duck Boot."
- Literacy: He wrote a children’s book called Cricket Stop Cricking in 2025 to promote reading in Memphis schools.
It’s a weird mix. One day he’s dropping "Slut Me Out 2" and the next he's reading to preschoolers. That’s the "duality" he keeps talking about.
The NBA YoungBoy beef: Or what?
The "or what" part of the NLE Choppa conversation usually revolves around his long-standing friction with NBA YoungBoy. For years, fans have been choosing sides. In 2025 and early 2026, this reached a fever pitch.
When Choppa dropped "KO," he wasn't just rapping; he was questioning YoungBoy’s impact on the youth. He called it "poisoning the youth." YB’s mom even got involved on social media, which, as you can imagine, went viral instantly.
But here’s the thing: Choppa claims he’s doing this out of love. He’s trying to be a "healer." It’s a tough sell when you’re also releasing aggressive diss tracks, but he argues that you have to meet the streets where they are to change them.
The 112-day "Seek"
One of the wildest things he’s done recently is his "112-day seek."
He spent over three months waking up every day, going outside barefoot, and just writing in journals. He says he has five journals stacked up that he treats like a personal Bible. He claims God gave him dreams about "snakes and rats" in his life that he needed to cut out.
This spiritual journey isn't just a phase for him anymore. It’s his brand. He’s obsessed with "angel numbers" and the laws of the universe. If you follow him on social media, you’ll see him talking about how the food you eat influences your thoughts. He’s basically become the hip-hop version of a holistic health guru.
Is he still a "Mainstream" artist?
A lot of people think he "fell off" because he isn't dominating the Billboard Top 10 every week like he did in 2020. But the numbers tell a different story.
He’s still pulling over 9 billion streams. He’s got 24 RIAA-certified plaques.
He’s just playing a different game now. By signing with UnitedMasters early on and keeping his masters, he doesn't need the major label machine to pump his music. He’s got his own imprint, No Love Entertainment (NLE), and he’s focused on longevity rather than just a quick viral hit.
In early 2026, he’s scheduled for major festivals like Rolling Loud Australia. The demand is there. It’s just that the audience has shifted. He’s pulling in people who care about mental health, veganism, and "the hustle" just as much as people who want to hear a club banger.
The Jonathan Majors Incident
You might have seen that viral clip from late 2025 where things got awkward between Choppa and actor Jonathan Majors on a podcast.
Apparently, there was some "tension" because of past comments Choppa made about Meagan Good (Majors' partner). Choppa claimed Majors wouldn't even make eye contact with him. It was a weird, human moment that reminded everyone that despite the spiritual talk, he’s still a young guy navigating very public social circles.
He later responded by telling fans he was "spiritually protected" and didn't let the negativity get to him. It’s a perfect example of the "New Choppa" trying to handle "Old World" problems.
What’s next for NLE The Great?
If you're looking for actionable ways to keep up or learn from his journey, here’s how the landscape looks right now:
First, check out his This Can't Be Vegan food truck if you're ever in the Memphis area. It's actually gotten decent reviews for making plant-based food accessible to people who wouldn't normally touch a salad.
Second, if you’re an aspiring artist, look at his business model. Turning down $3 million at 16 to keep his masters was a legendary move. Most kids would have taken the check and been broke by 21. He’s a case study in "betting on yourself."
Third, watch the Cottonwood 2 deluxe versions and his 2025 singles. He’s experimenting with R&B sounds and more melodic flows. He’s clearly trying to prove he’s more than just a "Shotta Flow" rapper.
Ultimately, NLE Choppa—or NLE The Great—is a reminder that you don't have to stay the person you were at 16. Whether you think his spiritual shift is "real" or just a clever rebrand, you can't deny the impact he's had on how young rappers think about health and ownership.
Keep an eye on his 2026 tour dates. Seeing him perform "Slut Me Out" followed by a speech about meditation is an experience you won't get from anyone else in the industry.
