NLE Choppa and Marissa Da’Nae celebrated their son Chozen’s third birthday earlier this week amid an ongoing custody dispute.
Choppa marked his firstborn son’s birthday with a lengthy and emotional post in which he pushed back against claims that he is a “deadbeat” father.
“I can’t believe the word deadbeat has ever crossed my name in regards to you,” he wrote. “The love I got for you is infinite and as long as you know that like I know you do I’m fulfilled.”
The rapper revealed that he is currently fighting for joint custody of Chozen and stressed that he is not seeking full custody.
“Not full but simply joint custody to be in your life so we can have a set schedule under no control or influence outside of the courts,” he explained.
Choppa also claimed that he has not had Chozen for the past few Father’s Days and said he could not remember the last time he saw his son.
“Truth is I yearn you more than you know,” he wrote. “Justice sometimes move slow but just know I’m staying alive in faith and trusting in Gods timing on how issues get resolved without me having to lift a finger.”
The 23-year-old also reflected on the lengths he went to become a father. He shared that Chozen was conceived through IVF following a previous miscarriage and said he paid for the IVF treatment and midwife.
“A miscarriage happened before you,” he wrote. “It left me broken not only because I lost an innocent child but I really wanted your mother to have the chance to experience motherhood.”
Choppa also explained the meaning behind Chozen’s middle name, Wone. According to him, the name represents his son already “winning” in life because he is a miracle, while “one” represents Chozen being selected through IVF.
The rapper continued addressing the custody situation on his Instagram Stories, where he appeared to direct a message at Marissa.
“It’s OK court coming up and God don’t like ugly,” he wrote alongside a photo of himself holding Chozen. “Victory is on the horizon sweet boy you deserve a DAD. A dad that want to be there.”
He added, “Tell ya momma the gig is up.”
Choppa later deleted his lengthy birthday post and replaced it with a simple message wishing Chozen a happy third birthday.
Marissa also celebrated their son with a message of her own.
“Happy 3rd Birthday to my Sonshine,” she wrote. “Time sure does fly. You make life so worth it. You’re so bright, so smart, such a big joy to everyone’s life. You’re truly a blessing.”
She continued, “You just don’t know how much you have push me and changed me for the better.”
The mom also thanked her “lil village” for supporting her and Chozen, adding, “I love you my boy and it’s nothing in the world that I wouldn’t do for you.”
I’m sorry I have set boundaries when it comes to my son. My son is precious and innocent and I won’t let nobody play with him in no way at all.
— 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚊 𝙳𝚊’𝙽𝚊𝚎 ❤︎ (@mxrvssa) January 18, 2026
Marissa appeared to address the custody situation in separate posts on X, where she defended the boundaries she has set for her son.
“If I’m a bad person because I set boundaries for my kid and his peace, health, his upbringing and his future…. Then f*** it, I WANT THE TOP VILLAIN CROWN,” she wrote.
In another post, she stood firmly behind her parenting.
“Yall can say whatever yall want about me, but behind this parenthood s*** – you could NEVER say im not a good mom.”
