NLE Choppa has launched a skate foundation in support of Tyre Nichols’ family.
Shortly after partaking in a peaceful protest in Memphis on January 28 following Nichols’ disturbing death at the hands of five Black former police officers, Choppa told TMZ Hip Hop that skateboarding has officially become one of his hobbies.
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The “Shotta Flow” rapper told the outlet that he would not only commit to the sport as a hobby, but that he has decided to start a foundation to help support Tyre’s family during this difficult time.
“I still got the skateboard, the one I was using for the protest and even the two days after the protest I skated each of those days so for sure it’s a hobby I picked up,” Choppa said. “Every time I skate, I’m gonna remember bro and always put on for him and that I just appreciate him.
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“Even though he passed away in a negative manner…the ripple effect he sent throughout the city for sure touched me and it’s something that I wanna take full accountability for as far as just a new hobby, doing something new, doing something he wanted me to do.”
He added: “I’m actually in the midst of I wanna start a foundation, a charity around skate for Tyree. Not only do I wanna give the proceeds to Tyre and his family I wanna give it to his son. I pray that when that child grows up they can differentiate between what’s real and what’s not, and what’s real is giving back and making sure a positive light is shown over their life.”
During the aforementioned protest, Choppa (real name Bryson Lashun Potts) told attendees to try and turn a negative situation into a positive one, and to skate for Tyre.
“Today, I felt it on my heart to turn a negative situation to a positive. I actually went to sleep dwelling on how I could wake up today and do that,” he said in part. “I just want to skate for Tyre in respect to him and know that’s how he would have wanted everybody to act.”
“I know it’s hard for us to all come together and it’s kinda sad it takes something tragic for us to do this,” he continued. “But I’m grateful for it for everybody to be together, so I just want to thank y’all for being a part of this. Everybody right here is standing for something and they falling for nothing, so I appreciate y’all for coming.”
Fellow Memphis rappers Moneybagg Yo, GloRilla and La Chat have also demanded that justice be served for Tyre Nichols’ murder, and that the five police officers be held accountable.
“Im still tryna figure out wat was #12Gang thankn how did they think they was go get away with what they did to #TyreNichols wrong wrong wrong,” La Chat tweeted last week. “They 4sho A Gang #MPD yall ass #Hittt #justice4tyre.”
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Outside of Tennessee, Pusha T, Royce Da 5’9″, Meek Mill, Boosie Badazz, Questlove and many more have also expressed their dismay and disgust over Tyre’s murder.
