Over the weekend, the internet buzzed when NLE Choppa seemingly unveiled a face tattoo dedicated to Chrisean Rock. The move immediately drew comparisons to Chrisean’s own prominent face tattoo of her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Blueface. Fans and critics alike were left wondering: did NLE Choppa really get a Chrisean Rock face tattoo? In an exclusive interview with The Shade Room, the Memphis rapper set the record straight, revealing the truth behind the viral sensation and his perspective on Chrisean Rock’s impact.
It turns out, the Chrisean Rock face tattoo was not what it seemed. Far from a permanent declaration of admiration, it was a cleverly photoshopped image, a strategic move orchestrated with fellow artist Lil Mabu. NLE Choppa explained to TSR that the entire idea originated from Mabu, who features on the remix of NLE’s track ‘Shotta Flow 7.’ According to Choppa, Mabu suggested the bold tattoo as a way to generate buzz and attention.
“The face tatt idea came from Lil Mabu, so y’all gotta go blame him because he told me to do it,” Choppa admitted.
Initially hesitant, NLE Choppa warmed up to the idea when he recognized its potential to amplify the reach of their new song. He even attempted to pass the tattoo dare to Mabu, but Mabu declined, citing his clean tattoo-free skin as a giveaway for the prank. Ultimately, NLE Choppa agreed to the photoshopped stunt, understanding its viral potential. He confessed the goal was to convert online engagement into streams for their music.
Image alt text: NLE Choppa in a social media post seemingly showcasing a face tattoo of Chrisean Rock, later revealed to be photoshopped as a publicity stunt.
When asked if Chrisean Rock herself had reacted to his fake tattoo tribute, NLE Choppa revealed he was in the dark. He had attempted to contact her, but she hadn’t answered his calls. He clarified that while the tattoo was a troll, it was ultimately aimed at creating engaging content for fans and promoting their music. Adding a lighthearted touch, Choppa jokingly requested that Chrisean “don’t beat me up” when they next meet.
Beyond the tattoo prank, NLE Choppa shared his genuine thoughts on Chrisean Rock’s cultural significance. He and Mabu even included a Chrisean Rock look-alike in their ‘Shotta Flow 7 Remix’ video, further capitalizing on her recognizable persona. Choppa openly acknowledged the strategic element of using a Chrisean doppelganger, admitting it was intended to “spark and trigger people to consume some content.”
However, he also offered a more profound perspective, stating, “Let’s call the elephant in the room, Chrisean is iconic. At the end of the day, 20 years from now, Chrisean Rock will be talked about. She’s an iconic character, and you don’t have to be the most positive person to be iconic. You can be negative and be iconic, too, or whatever. She’s an iconic figure…”
Image alt text: NLE Choppa in an interview setting, elaborating on his view of Chrisean Rock as an iconic figure in popular culture.
NLE Choppa further disclosed that while the real Chrisean Rock expressed interest in appearing in the ‘Shotta Flow Remix’ video, he ultimately declined. He cited a gut feeling and concerns about how her style would fit the track’s structure. However, he did express openness to future collaborations with Chrisean.
Addressing his relationship with Blueface, NLE Choppa emphasized it was built on mutual respect. He recalled their rise in the rap scene around 2019 and praised their collaborative track ‘Shotta Flow.’ He downplayed any recent “beef” as “friendly lil war,” sparked by Blueface mentioning him in Jaidyn Alexis’s song ‘Barbie.’
NLE Choppa expressed disappointment at Blueface’s current jail sentence for probation violation, lamenting the pause in their musical back-and-forth. He also clarified that the publicized boxing match between them, promoted by Blueface before his incarceration, was also a fabrication.
“The face-off that he posted, it wasn’t a real flyer and he also knew that he had violated probation so I don’t really understand what was the point of him posting it, knowing he had to go to jail. I’m not trying to say cuz scary…”
While acknowledging Blueface’s marketing savvy, NLE Choppa drew a line when it came to future musical collaborations. He stated he would not collaborate with Blueface again due to Blueface’s history of alleged domestic violence.
Image alt text: A throwback image of NLE Choppa and Blueface together, representing their earlier collaborative period and relationship in the music industry.
“Me personally, I just wouldn’t do it because that’s the part I don’t respect. I don’t respect really respect people who just put their hands on women physically to assault them. I’m not saying that I’m the best cat..but it’s certain things I try to grow from…I don’t see it being right doing a song with a person that have done that.”
NLE Choppa revealed that he had previously reached out to Blueface to address the allegations of domestic violence against Chrisean Rock.
In conclusion, NLE Choppa’s Chrisean Rock tattoo saga was a calculated publicity stunt, a testament to the power of viral marketing in the digital age. While the tattoo itself was fake, NLE Choppa’s comments about Chrisean Rock and Blueface offer a genuine glimpse into his perspectives on their places in the cultural landscape and his own moral boundaries within the hip-hop industry. The episode underscores how celebrity tattoos, even fabricated ones, can ignite conversations and capture the internet’s attention, blurring the lines between genuine expression and strategic self-promotion.
