Nicholas Seok-bae Choi[1] (Hangul: 최석배, born February 28, 1992),[1] better known by his stage name Nafla (Hangul: 나플라), is a Korean-American rapper. He was the winner of Show Me the Money 777.[2]

Nafla
Nafla in June 2020.
Nafla in June 2020.
Background information
Birth nameNicholas Seok-bae Choi
Born (1992-02-28) February 28, 1992 (age 32)
Orange County, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation
InstrumentVocals
Years active2016–present
LabelsMKIT Rain
Groovl1n
Korean name
Hangul
최석배
Revised RomanizationChoe Seok-bae
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Sŏkpae

Early life and education

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Nicholas Seok-bae Choi was born in Orange County, California, on February 28, 1992, to South Korean parents. He lived in the United States until he was five years old, and then lived in South Korea until he was in the fourth grade.

Choi subsequently returned to America and immediately entered the sixth grade, skipping a grade level. He attended Rosemont Middle School in La Crescenta, a suburban neighborhood in Los Angeles County.[3] Choi went on to attend Crescenta Valley High School, where he met his MKIT Rain labelmates Bloo and Young West.[4] Afterwards, Choi enrolled at the University of Southern California, and graduated in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.[1]

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In 2019, Choi was investigated for illegal use of marijuana, which resulted in a suspended indictment. In June 2020, he was found guilty of violating South Korea's Narcotics Control Act by smoking marijuana in his home. Choi was sentenced to 2 years of probation with immediate imprisonment for any violations, along with 120 hours of community service.[5]

On February 22, 2023, Choi was arrested for attempting to evade South Korea's mandatory military service. He was accused of falsifying medical records that diagnosed him with depression, as well as using these documents to apply for the position of a non-active duty personnel. Choi went on to pause his military service for 18 months on 7 occasions, and he also skipped his mandated duty as a social worker by filing for sick leave or early leave with his medical records.[6][7][8] On August 10, 2023, Choi was sentenced to a year in prison.[9]

On February 13, 2024, Choi was released on bail in accordance with the process of appealing his prison sentence.[10]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[11]
Angels
  • Released: October 22, 2017
  • Label: Groovl1n, Warner Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
16
U N U
  • Released: January 6, 2020 (U N U Part. 1)
  • Released: March 24, 2020 (U N U Part. 2)
  • Label: Groovl1n, Warner Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
19
Natural High
  • Released: August 31, 2021
  • Label: Groovl1n, Warner Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
47

Extended plays

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[11]
New Blood 15
LooFla
with Loopy
  • Released: June 10, 2019
  • Label: MKIT Rain, Kakao Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
42

Charted singles

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Title Year Peak chart
positions
Album
KOR
[16]
As lead artist
"Bite" (물어) 2018 34 Non-album singles
"Sunbbang" feat. Gaeko, Giriboy 89
Collaborations
"SF Skills" (공상과학기술)
with OLNL, Odee
2018 28 Non-album singles
"119"
with Loopy, PH-1, Kid Milli, OLNL, Superbee
46

References

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  1. ^ a b c "나플라 프로필". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "[종합] '쇼미더머니777' 우승자 나플라, 상금 2억원 차지…2등 루피·3등 키드밀리". SE Daily (in Korean). November 10, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  3. ^ "나플라 Nafla, LA에서 온 박자를 타고난 래퍼". YouTube. August 20, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Around the Globe: MKIT RAIN". HYPEBEAST. 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Kim, So-yeon (September 29, 2021). "`대마 흡연` 래퍼 나플라, 1심서 집행유예 - 스타투데이". 매일경제 - 스타투데이. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Ha, Sophie (February 22, 2023). "Rapper Nafla arrested on charges of using brokers to avoid mandatory military service". Allkpop. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  7. ^ Ha, Sophie (February 1, 2023). "Rapper Nafla is being investigated for trying to avoid mandatory military service using brokers". Allkpop. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  8. ^ ""복무기간 1년 9개월, 출근은 0일" 래퍼 '나플라' 등 병역기피 기소 (2023.03.13/뉴스데스크/MBC)". YouTube - MBC News. March 13, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  9. ^ Kim, Joo-hee (August 10, 2023). "허위 뇌전증으로 병역비리 시도한 라비 집유… 출근 안 한 나플라는 징역 1년". Naver News - Busan Ilbo. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Yi, Eunha (February 13, 2024). "Rapper Nafla granted bail pending appeal in military service evasion case". Allkpop. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Gaon Album Chart". gaonchart.co.kr. Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    • "New Blood". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    • "Angels". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    • "LooFla". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    • "U N U". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    • "Natural High". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  12. ^ "2017년 10월 Album Chart". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  13. ^ "2020년 04월 Album Chart". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  14. ^ "2016년 07월 Album Chart". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  15. ^ "2019년 06월 Album Chart". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  16. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". gaonchart.co.kr. Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    As lead artist
    • "Bite". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    • "Sunbbang". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    Collaborations
    • "SF Skills". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
    • "119". gaonchart.co.kr. Retrieved January 31, 2022.