Students join rapper NLE Choppa ‘to skate for Tyre’
Rapper NLE Choppa, accompanied by a security guard, makes his way through East Memphis Saturday afternoon, Jan. 28, 2023. (Rob Moore/The Daily Memphian)
Memphis rapper NLE Choppa woke up on Saturday, Jan 28, and decided he wanted to “walk and skate” for Tyre Nichols.
“I was just trying to turn a negative into a positive,” he said. “That’s my main goal today.”
The day after video footage of Tyre Nichols’ fatal encounter with Memphis Police officers was released, community members gathered to celebrate him, including a peaceful protest in Southeast Memphis with students from the dance school L.Y.E Academy.
On Saturday, the skaters met on Cottonwood Road in Southeast Memphis and made their way toward Perkins Road and Goodlett. “We’re here to skate for Tyre,” said NLE Choppa, who grew up in a house on Cottonwood Road.
“He loves touring and going to schools and just inspiring kids to want to do better,” said Ladia Yates, owner of L.Y.E and friend of the popular rapper.
“He’s aware of his influence, and he feels, as a young Black man, that he is connected to Tyre.”
During the walk and skate event, students and other participants chanted “Skate for Tyre.”
Nichols is remembered as an avid skateboarder. Mourners flocked to Tobey Skate Park in Midtown on Jan. 26 to host a vigil for Nichols.
Chanting “skate for Tyre,” @Nlechoppa1 and LYE Academy Students took to Cottonwood Rd in East Memphis on Saturday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/DDK0P1XmBY
— Rob Moore (@robmoore901) January 28, 2023
Choppa, who has more than 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify, titled his 2019 EP “Cottonwood” for the Memphis neighborhood where he grew up.
Photo gallery: Memphis responds to Tyre Nichols video
Dedrick Davis plays "Lift Every Voice and Sing" on the trumpet as a march for Tyre Nichols in Downtown Memphis winds down Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Nakia Harrison (right) along with her children Darius, Devonte, and Daniel Smith, attend a rally for Tyre Nichols in Downtown Memphis Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Tracey Barnes (left), along with her daughters Tekeria Blue (center) and Taylin Barnes, livestream speakers during a march for Tyre Nichols in Downtown Memphis Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Towanna Murphy raises her fist during a march for Tyre Nichols in Downtown Memphis Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley marches with local activists demanding justice for Tyre Nichols Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Local activist leaders organize a march for Tyre Nichols in Downtown Memphis Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Activists momentarily surround an MPD cruiser outside of 201 Poplar before moving on while marching throughout downtown Memphis Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Activist leaders speak to a crowd gathered in Downtown Memphis to march for Tyre Nichols Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
A crowd of activists start to march for Tyre Nichols in Downtown Memphis Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Local activist leaders tell a crowd of protesters and media what to expect a march for in the coming days as a march Tyre Nichols in Downtown Memphis concludes Jan. 28, 2023. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Topics
Tyre Nichols Memphis Police DepartmentRob Moore
Rob Moore covers North Mississippi for The Daily Memphian. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English from The University of Memphis.
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