NEWS
NLE Choppa has taken a plea deal in a triple felony case in Broward County, FL — resulting in a hugely reduced sentence for the Memphis native.
According to court documents obtained by HipHopDX, the rapper (real name Bryson Lashun Potts) changed his plea from not guilty to nolo contendere [no contest] on Friday (December 8) before Judge Barbara Duffy in a Fort Lauderdale courtroom. Choppa, who was represented by Bradford Cohen — the same attorney representing Kodak Black — was sentenced to one year of probation as a result.
While NLE Choppa won’t be restricted from traveling nationally or internationally, he will be required to forfeit all of his firearms, complete a firearm safety training course, and perform 40 hours of community service before his probation is up.
Check out the docs below.
According to Florida jail records, NLE Choppa was arrested on burglary, drugs, and weapons charges on March 28, 2018. He was booked into the Broward County Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale, from which he ultimately bonded out on $4,500.
Choppa was hit with charges of burglary of an unoccupied structure, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of cannabis of 20 grams or less, and possession of the generic version of Xanax called Alprazolam.
Ultimately, NLE Choppa was handed three felony charges and one misdemeanor. His nolo plea was only for the misdemeanor; however the other two charges were dismissed in exchange for his plea.
At the time, the then-18-year-old had been living a clean lifestyle while leaning on meditation to stay on the straight-and-narrow. Choppa also told Fox Soul’sThe Mix that he had stopped smoking weed earlier that year.
“After I got out that meditation, I just started to realize everything was energy,” the Memphis native explained after trying to meditate for the first time. “I tried to smoke when I came out of my meditation and I ate some meat, and after I did that, I felt the same way I did before I meditated.
“I started to realize what was making me think a certain way,” he continued. “I kid you not, I cold-turkeyed myself a few days later and I stopped eating meat. I told my friends if they was around me smoking weed, they couldn’t be around me. I started to cut a lot out of my life.”
NEWS
In a major setback for the UK summer festival season, global drinks brand Pepsi has confirmed it is ending its relationship with Wireless Festival. The move comes after strong political criticism and public reaction to the festival’s decision to book American rapper Kanye West, who is now legally known as Ye, as a headliner.
The situation intensified this week after Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke out against the booking, according to reporting from The Guardian. Starmer described the decision as "deeply concerning," pointing to the artist’s past antisemitic comments and his open praise of Nazi related figures as being at odds with the values of the United Kingdom. His remarks reflect a wider position within the government that antisemitism must always be challenged firmly to protect the Jewish community and maintain public safety.
Recent releases from the rapper have added further controversy. In the previous year, he drew global criticism after putting out a song called Heil Hitler and attempting to sell products displaying swastika imagery. Although West later apologized in the Wall Street Journal and said his actions were connected to a manic episode, many critics believe his influence still presents serious concerns.
The event, which is planned for July at Finsbury Park in London, is now dealing with growing uncertainty. Aside from losing a key sponsor, there are also questions about whether West will even be able to enter the country. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has the power to refuse entry if someone is considered not beneficial to the public good. These rules allow the Home Office to refuse visas to individuals whose behavior or connections could increase social tensions or encourage hate.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has already urged officials to impose a ban on his entry, while organizations such as the Board of Deputies of British Jews have described the booking as "deeply irresponsible." With a major sponsor stepping away and increasing calls for government action, organizers of Wireless Festival now face significant challenges in keeping the event moving forward.
