Memphis-raised rapper NLE Choppa surprised and delighted queer fans with a performance to coincide with Atlanta Black Pride last night.
NLE Choppa, 21, took to social media to tell fans about the appearance. He started by saying he had news for haters and those who have speculated about his sexuality in recent months.
“If you a person that has had something to say about me over these last six months regarding if I’m gay or if I’m an f-bomb or if I’m this and if I’m that…” NLE Choppa said.
“Well, this might make you a little bit more mad or make you more infatuated with trying to come to a conclusion of who I am,” NLE Choppa continued. “When I tell y’all, that is who I is. But because I know who I am so deeply and [I’m] so appreciative of who I am, I will be doing my justice by, you know, coming to Atlanta for Black Pride Fest and showing love to the LGBTQ community for being one of the best of the audiences that’s been streaming ‘Slut Me Out 2.’
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“So the same way that they’re pouring love into me is the same way that I’m giving back love,” NLE Choppa continued. “And yeah, I’ma let y’all judge me again and say what y’all want to say about me. ‘Cause y’all are going to say what y’all are going to say regardless.”
Atlanta I’m Live At The Bank Sept 1ST For Black Pride ✊🏿🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/xA04Ug8Dqh
— NLE Choppa (@Nlechoppa1) August 30, 2024
NLE Choppa appeared at The Bank on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. The event did not appear on the official Atlanta Black Pride schedule. INTO has messaged organizers for comment.
Video footage has appeared online.
NLE Choppa performs at Black Pride in Atlanta pic.twitter.com/tiB7X61q81
— Daquan (@ImDaquanSmith) September 2, 2024
NLE Choppa’s performance at a Pride-related party is notable as it’s rare for male hip-hop performers to acknowledge their queer fans or perform at Pride events.
Bathroom selfies
NLE Choppa first came to attention in 2019 when he scored a top 40 Billboard 100 hit with his track ‘Shotta Flow’. He has since amassed a large social media following (7.9 million followers on Instagram and 18 million on TikTok).
In 2022, he made headlines when a thirsty bathroom selfie showed off an eye-catching bulge in his pants.
The image led some commentators to speculate over his sexuality. NLE Choppa responded with a tweet clarifying his sexual preference.
“First and foremost I love myself and I’m comfortable enough in my skin to show the beauty God blessed me with. Secondly I LOVE all so I don’t mind attracting both genders, but most importantly my sexual preference is women. Please stop trying to make me something I am not. 🙏”
“Slut Me Out 2”
NLE Choppa’s comfort with having queer fans means speculation has continued to swirl around him.
Earlier this year he released the sex-positive anthem, “Slut Me Out 2”. It’s a sequel to his 2022 sleeper hit “Slut Me Out”.
Lyrics include the following.
“If I was a bad bitch, I’d wanna f*ck me too/I’d wanna suck me too/I’d wanna slut me too”
“If I was a bad bitch, I’d wanna hump me too/I’d wanna trap me too/Nothin’ freaking that I wouldn’t do.”
Homophobes were quick to blast the track and question NLE Choppa for expressing an apparent attraction to himself.
Again, NLE Choppa dismissed the hate.
I understand me being in love with myself as a BLACKMAN is so RARE to the point some people try putting the homosexual jacket on my name but with all due respect I love ALL, but my intimacy lies with women only. 🙏
— NLE Choppa (@Nlechoppa1) April 11, 2024
Many welcomed NLE Choppa acknowledging Atlanta Black Pride and applauded him for performing.
Y’all please respect this man he doing this outta the kindness of his heart let’s not make him uncomfortable and do too much.
— D’iora Chanel (@AdronThomas) August 31, 2024
Period stand on that business! This is what security of oneself looks like! 🥷s take notes!
— Kamare Minaj (@KAMAREMINAJ) August 31, 2024
Much Respect to this man for this! His music might not be my cup of tea, but we stan a sexually confident man willing to share his art with the people that support him
— ♓️Taye Jarrid♓️ (@Phreak_Quency) August 31, 2024
This is actually very refreshing to see from a young, straight, Black male rapper – with Jamaican roots – come from a background/upbringing he did, acknowledge and be so supportive of his queer fans. It’s the bare minimum but given the context it’s actually amazing to see. https://t.co/7KRCEC5jQ1
— 3’ 🇵🇸/🇨🇩/🇸🇩 (@JosefCookz) September 1, 2024
#mood #NLEChoppa @Nlechoppa1 tonight you made history as the first straight hip hop artist to support us and see us … you’ll forever have my 🩷#LGBTQ #PRIDE pic.twitter.com/AuK4OHdxPF
— PARISXXL (@pariisxxl) September 2, 2024
UPDATE 09.03.24
A spokesperson for Atlanta Black Pride clarified to INTO that, “NLE Choppa did not perform at an official Atlanta Black Pride event. His performance was at a promoter-hosted event, which, like many other parties and activities occurring during Atlanta Black Pride, is not associated with or affiliated with Atlanta Black Pride, Inc.
“Additionally, there are no two competing Black Pride festivals taking place. Atlanta Black Pride remains the singular and official Black Pride celebration in Atlanta. This year, we are honored to have partnered with Global Black Pride and welcome their programming as part of our official Atlanta Black Pride line-up.”
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