Since it's release in early January, NLE Choppa's "Shotta Flow" video has amassed more than 12 million views in nearly six weeks. The visual for his breakout record shows a precocious youth who is just as adept at dancing as he is at swinging choppas.
His flows and stylistic choices recall his friend and fellow hometown rapper BlocBoy JB. Yet Choppa is unique. His intensity, voice and dark sense of humor set him apart from the fray. His follow-up record, "Shotta Flow 2," is approaching 2 million views in under a week.
Always business-savvy, Choppa turned down a $3 million dollar deal and opted for a partnership with UnitedMasters, a company that distributes his music while allowing him to keep his masters. With an EP coming in the spring and more videos on the way, the young artist's name is everywhere, even catching the attention of legendary rap mogul Birdman, who he's been spotted sharing studio time with.
Narrow Road
NLE Choppa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Top Shotta, Don Dada
Got the bombs like Al-Qaeda
Nle the Top Shotta, yeah
I just copped the Range Rover (a big body), with the Forgis (with some Forgiatos)
Sippin' Codeine (Codeine), feelin' like a dope fiend (a dope fiend)
He said I'm not killer, that nigga don't know me (brrt)
My OG told me, "Put in work," when I was fourteen (when I was fourteen)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-oad)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-oad)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-ad)
I'm goin' down a narrow ro-oad, ro-oad, ro-o-oad
They tell me, "Think smart," (think smart), I know right from wrong (oh)
They tell me I'ma get life with this dirty chrome (get life)
Well, you would rather take a life before they take your own (the Don Dada)
And bitch, I been through some shit, I came from a broken home
I got a different mentality, bitch, it's kill or be killed (kill or, yeah)
I'd rather kill a rat before I write a statement and squeal (yeah, yeah)
It ain't no face up in my circle, real recognize real (yeah, yeah)
I kick that boy up out my cot the night that I did my drills (yeah)
'Cause ayy, we are not the same (we are not the same)
I got murder, murder, murder runnin' through my brain (it's runnin' through my brain)
And bitch, I'm hard up inside, piranhas swim through my veins (swim through my veins)
Put your feelings on the toilet, watch it twirl down the drain (uh-huh, uh)
They askin' who I need, well, I don't need shit (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Only thing I need, it just got twenty-three, bitch (grrt, grrt)
Flyin' overseas got a young nigga seasick
I was just posted in the street like some cement, yeah, yeah, yeah
I just copped the Range Rover (a big body), with the Forgis (with some Forgiatos)
Sippin' Codeine (Codeine), feelin' like a dope fiend (a dope fiend)
He said I'm not killer, that nigga don't know me (brrt)
My OG told me, "Put in work," when I was fourteen (when I was fourteen)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-oad)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-oad)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-ad)
I'm goin' down a narrow ro-oad, ro-oad, ro-o-oad
Road gettin' narrow (nah), slimmer and slimmer (slim)
Pray to God that I forget, try my best not to remember (ah)
It's a cold, cold world and I was born in December
I'm forever steppin' forward, you know I'm one of the members
They try to tax us, SSI, then we start goin' and get 'em
Really show me what it was, I prolly never forgive ya
Start havin' what you ain't had and they'll look at ya different
But it don't matter, I'm in my bag, it's gettin' bigger and bigger
Now the Range Rover class Sport and stamps on my passport
Never know what trippin', I got everything I asked for
Youngin' out here robbin', I try to tell that nigga to mask up
We get all the bags around the way, niggas can't gas us
Ain't really got too much to say but fuck the task force
Keep mindin' my business, hold my weight, and run my cash up
Sometimes I just ride 'round with my stick inside my Lamb' truck
Everywhere I go, somebody put me on their cameras
I just copped the Range Rover (a big body), with the Forgis (with some Forgiatos)
Sippin' Codeine (Codeine), feelin' like a dope fiend (a dope fiend)
He said I'm not killer, that nigga don't know me (brrt)
My OG told me, "Put in work," when I was fourteen (when I was fourteen)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-oad)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-oad)
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-ad)
I'm goin' down a narrow ro-oad, ro-oad, ro-o-oad
A big body with some Forgiatos
Codeine, a dope fiend
Brrt
When I was fourteen
A narrow ro-oad, ayy, hey
A narrow ro-o-oad
A narrow ro-oad, ayy
Ro-o-oad
In NLE Choppa's song "Narrow Road," the young rapper talks about his past struggles and his journey towards success. Throughout the song, he references his tough upbringing in a broken home and the dangerous environment he grew up in. He talks about his mentality that emphasizes the importance of self-preservation and killing anybody who tries to harm him. Choppa acknowledges that his violent way of life is not for the faint-hearted, and he reminds people that they shouldn't judge him as his life experiences have shaped him.
The theme of the "Narrow Road" is not entirely original. Rappers like Future, Lil Baby, and Polo G have all talked about their difficult paths towards success before. However, what sets NLE Choppa apart is his unique delivery and storytelling ability. He blends his melodic flow with harsh lyrics, making his message hit harder. He frequently uses a high-pitched voice and an ad-lib of "brrt" to punctuate his lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Top Shotta, Don Dada
I am a top shot caller, Don Dada, who commands respect
Got the bombs like Al-Qaeda
I have powerful weapons in my possession, similar to Al-Qaeda terrorists
Nle the Top Shotta, yeah
I am NLE Choppa, the Top Shotta and I am the real deal
I just copped the Range Rover (a big body), with the Forgis (with some Forgiatos)
I recently purchased a big-body Range Rover SUV with Forgiato wheels
Sippin' Codeine (Codeine), feelin' like a dope fiend (a dope fiend)
I am drinking Codeine, an addictive drug, and I feel like a drug addict
He said I'm not killer, that nigga don't know me (brrt)
Somebody said I am not capable of killing, but I will prove them wrong (sound of a gun)
My OG told me, "Put in work," when I was fourteen (when I was fourteen)
My elder taught me to work hard when I was only fourteen years old
Goin' down a narrow ro-o-o-oad (a narrow ro-oad)
I am presently walking down a difficult and dangerous path
They tell me, "Think smart," (think smart), I know right from wrong (oh)
People tell me to be wise and make wise decisions, and I know what is right and what is wrong
They tell me I'ma get life with this dirty chrome (get life)
They warn me that I might spend my life in prison with my illegal firearm
Well, you would rather take a life before they take your own (the Don Dada)
In my position, I would rather kill someone first before they kill me to assert my dominance
And bitch, I been through some shit, I came from a broken home
I have been through some tough experiences, and my upbringing was not comfortable or stable
I got a different mentality, bitch, it's kill or be killed (kill or, yeah)
My mindset is different, and it is either me or them in this dog-eat-dog world
I'd rather kill a rat before I write a statement and squeal (yeah, yeah)
I would choose to take out an informant before I rat out my crew and betray them
It ain't no face up in my circle, real recognize real (yeah, yeah)
The people in my group are authentic and respectable, and we identify each other as such
I kick that boy up out my cot the night that I did my drills (yeah)
I removed someone from my group when we trained together the night before I committed a crime
'Cause ayy, we are not the same (we are not the same)
I am not like everyone else, and I am superior and unique in my way
I got murder, murder, murder runnin' through my brain (it's runnin' through my brain)
My thoughts are dominated by murder and violence that are ingrained in my mind
And bitch, I'm hard up inside, piranhas swim through my veins (swim through my veins)
I am emotionally tough and have a cold heart, and that is reflected in my bloodstream
Put your feelings on the toilet, watch it twirl down the drain (uh-huh, uh)
Disregard your emotions and flush them down the drain since they do not matter in this harsh world
They askin' who I need, well, I don't need shit (yeah, yeah, yeah)
People ask who I require, but I require nothing from them
Only thing I need, it just got twenty-three, bitch (grrt, grrt)
The only thing I need and value is my firearm that has twenty-three bullets loaded
Flyin' overseas got a young nigga seasick
Travelling abroad is making me feel ill and nauseated
I was just posted in the street like some cement, yeah, yeah, yeah
I was once out in the streets, immovable and unchanging, just like cement
Road gettin' narrow (nah), slimmer and slimmer (slim)
The road I am on is getting narrower, more challenging, and harder to navigate
Pray to God that I forget, try my best not to remember (ah)
I pray to God to help me forget my difficult past and try not to think about it
It's a cold, cold world and I was born in December
The world is harsh, and my birth month, December, represents that coldness
I'm forever steppin' forward, you know I'm one of the members
I am continually moving ahead, and my actions are in line with my group's objectives
They try to tax us, SSI, then we start goin' and get 'em
The government is taxing us heavily, and we are retaliating by whatever means necessary
Really show me what it was, I prolly never forgive ya
If you show me your true colours, I will not forgive you for your past mistakes
Start havin' what you ain't had and they'll look at ya different
When you start to achieve things that you did not have before, people will perceive you differently
But it don't matter, I'm in my bag, it's gettin' bigger and bigger
It does not matter what people think because I am successful and my wealth is growing
Now the Range Rover class Sport and stamps on my passport
I am now driving a Range Rover Sport, and I have travelled to many countries with stamps on my passport
Never know what trippin', I got everything I asked for
I am grateful for everything I have, and I never know when I will trip or fall
Youngin' out here robbin', I try to tell that nigga to mask up
There are young people out here committing robberies, and I am advising them to wear masks
We get all the bags around the way, niggas can't gas us
We are successful in our endeavors and get all the money in our area, and no one can stop us
Ain't really got too much to say but fuck the task force
I have nothing to say except that I hate the task force that is trying to stop me
Keep mindin' my business, hold my weight, and run my cash up
I am minding my business, carrying my weight, and making money
Sometimes I just ride 'round with my stick inside my Lamb' truck
Sometimes I just drive around with my firearm in my Lamborghini
Everywhere I go, somebody put me on their cameras
Wherever I go, someone will put me on their camera and record my actions
A big body with some Forgiatos
I have a large body vehicle with Forgiato wheels
Codeine, a dope fiend
I am consuming Codeine and feel like a drug addict
Brrt
Sound of a gun
When I was fourteen
When I was a teenager
A narrow ro-oad, ayy, hey
Presently walking down a difficult and dangerous path
A narrow ro-o-oad
A troubled path ahead
A narrow ro-oad, ayy
A difficult path ahead
Ro-o-oad
Pathway
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bryson Lashun Potts, Christopher N'quay Rosser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
james
on Shotta Flow but the beat is trash
wth is this
billy
on Capo
hype sf bro love it
billy
on Capo
I'm tired of him breathing, I'm taking his breath (Huh?)
I'm so fed up with this person still being alive that I'm going to kill him
I shoot to my right, my flag on the left
I shoot my gun to the right while waving my flag on the left
I earned my stripes but I'm not a ref
I've gained my reputation and experience, but I'm not an official referee
These n***as, they woke, they overslept (yeah)
These guys woke up to the reality too late, they should have seen it coming
My b***h, she clutch because she a nurse
My girl keeps a firm grip on things because she's a nurse
Whenever I'm down she give me a Perc
When I feel low, she gives me Percocet painkiller pills
The police pull up, my gun in her purse
Whenever the police come, my weapon is hidden in my girlfriend's bag
The opps pull up, put him on a shirt
When our rivals show up, we'll make a T-shirt to commemorate their death
B***h, we came in this world and we lookin' for murder
Our life's purpose is to commit murder
Knock yo cap off and it's word to Bobby Shmurda
I'll knock off someone's head and make a promise like Bobby Shmurda did in his song, 'Hot N*gga'
N***a watch yo mouth, I would hate to have to hurt ya
Be careful with what you say, or I'll have to harm you
You would kill off a Perc but snitch when you sober
You're willing to murder someone when you're high on Percocet, but you'll snitch on people when you're not
Man down in the street, man, this n***a tried to play me
Someone got killed on the street because he tried to mess with me
I had one in the head but his gun was on safety
I had a bullet ready to fire, but the other person's gun was in 'safe' position
They askin' how I been, what I been feelin' lately
People are asking about my well-being and emotions lately
I got good aim in the pocket like I'm Brady
I have a great shooting accuracy like Tom Brady (football quarterback) has good pocket presence