A Rising Star with a Shadowed Past

Rapper NLE Choppa, born Bryson Lashun Potts, has built a career on raw energy, chart-topping hits like “Shotta Flow,” and a public pivot toward spirituality and positivity. Since his 2018 debut, the Memphis native has oscillated between street anthems and a self-proclaimed “awakening,” preaching holistic values and distancing himself from violent lyrics. Yet, beneath this curated image of enlightenment, court records, public allegations, and a troubling timeline of events hint at a darker side—one that may involve neglect, abuse, and behavior that contradicts his public persona.

• Choppa’s career blends street anthems with a spiritual rebrand since 2020.
• Allegations and legal disputes challenge his positive public image.

A Custody Battle Exposes Allegations

In July 2025, NLE Choppa filed for sole custody of his two-year-old son, ChoZen Wone Da’Shun Potts, sparking a legal firestorm with his ex-girlfriend, Marissa Da’Nae. According to court documents, Da’Nae responded with explosive accusations, alleging Choppa subjected her to “emotional and physical abuse throughout their relationship and specifically throughout her pregnancy.” She further claimed he neglected ChoZen, causing the toddler to suffer medical complications requiring emergency room admission during one visit. Da’Nae’s most shocking assertion? That Choppa had their one-year-old son “fasting,” insisting a child “didn’t need to eat three times a day,” resulting in ChoZen returning home “starving.”

These allegations weren’t confined to court filings. On September 14, 2025, Da’Nae took to X, venting her frustration: “I can’t believe this b***h is taking me to court about a child he doesn’t even call,” she wrote, mocking Choppa’s minimal involvement in their son’s life. She doubled down, claiming he lacked knowledge of ChoZen’s medical history or daily routines. The mother of Choppa’s older daughter, Clover, also joined the fray, backing Da’Nae’s claims and alleging similar neglect toward her child.

• Da’Nae accused Choppa of emotional and physical abuse during her pregnancy.
• She claimed his neglect led to ChoZen’s hospitalization due to starvation from enforced fasting.
• Clover’s mother supported Da’Nae, alleging similar neglect of her daughter.

A Public Apology Raises Questions

Choppa’s response to these allegations came months earlier, on February 15, 2025, when he issued a public apology to Da’Nae on Instagram. In a post tied to his song “Crescent Moon,” he wrote, “You’re not crazy, nor delusional, your feelings are valid,” admitting he mishandled her heart and expressing a desire to co-parent effectively. To some, this was a mature acknowledgment of past wrongs, a reflection of the spiritual growth he’s championed since 2020. But the timing and vagueness of the apology raise questions. Was this a genuine act of accountability, or a calculated move to mitigate backlash as tensions with Da’Nae escalated? The apology predates the custody battle’s public explosion, yet it doesn’t explicitly address the abuse or neglect claims, leaving room for speculation about what Choppa was truly apologizing for.

This isn’t the first time Choppa’s faced such accusations. In 2020, his ex-girlfriend Mariah, the mother of his daughter Clover, accused him of shooting at her mother’s home while Clover was inside, a claim that surfaced amid a toxic breakup. Choppa admitted on Instagram Live to potential felony charges for domestic violence and vandalism but later apologized, framing it as a misunderstanding. These recurring allegations, spanning multiple relationships, suggest a pattern that clashes with his public image as a reformed, spiritually conscious artist.

• Choppa’s February 2025 apology acknowledged mishandling Da’Nae’s heart but avoided specifics on abuse.
• In 2020, Mariah accused him of violent acts, which he later framed as a misunderstanding.

A Spiritual Facade or a Call for Accountability?

Choppa’s public persona is a study in contrasts. Since 2021, he’s promoted meditation, veganism, and his NLE Choppa Health and Wellness line, claiming to have turned over a new leaf after a 2021 arrest for burglary, firearm, and drug charges (which he called a “setup”). He’s condemned violence, called out substance abuse in peers like Famous Dex, and vowed not to work with artists like Blueface over allegations of abuse. Yet, his own history—allegations of abuse in 2020, neglect in 2025, and a pattern of troubling behavior—suggests a disconnect. His apology to Da’Nae, while candid, doesn’t fully address the severity of her accusations, and his silence on the starvation claims is deafening.

The court records paint a grim picture: a father accused of neglecting his toddler to the point of hospitalization, a partner alleged to have inflicted emotional and physical harm. These aren’t mere rumors but documented claims in a legal battle that unfolded in 2025, casting a shadow over Choppa’s spiritual rhetoric. His fans celebrate his music and apparent growth, but the allegations from Da’Nae and Mariah suggest something more troubling may be at play. The timing of his apology and the custody battle raises questions about whether Choppa’s spiritual awakening is genuine or a shield to deflect accountability.

Unmasking the Truth: Choppa’s Redemption or a Darker Reality?

As he navigates fame, fatherhood, and legal disputes, the public is left to wonder: is NLE Choppa truly turning over a new leaf, or is there a hidden side yet to be fully exposed? Tune in to sheriffsays.com to hear "Sheriff" unpack the stories that shape culture and accountability.