Potter Payper

Biography

Jamel Bousbaa (born 15 November 1991), known professionally as Potter Payper, is a British rapper and songwriter from Barking, London, he started rapping early and gained attention through black box freestyles and grime blogs with friend and fellow rapper KB. In 2021, he signed to the UK division of Def Jam Recordings. In 2022, his song "Gangsteritus" featuring Tiggs Da Author became his first UK top 40 single. after its use in Top Boy.

Early life

Jamel Bousbaa was born on 15 November 1991 in the Barking area of East London to an Irish mother and an Algerian father. He grew up on the Gascoigne Estate in Barking, being raised by his grandmother, Nanny Lucy. He has one younger sibling who is 16 years younger than him. Bousbaa's father wasn't around much in his youth, and he'd face racism and nationalism due to his Islamic last name.
Bousbaa began writing lyrics at the age of 10 years old before rapping to his friends at school. After being expelled from school in year 7, Bousbaa started recording music at the local Baseline Youth Club.

Personal life

On 13 August 2015, Bousbaa was arrested during the execution of a warrant at an address in Clacton, Essex, following an investigation into the "Frankie" county drug line, which resulted in charges of one count of possession with intent to supply a class A drug and one count of conspiring to supply a class A drug. He was jailed for five years and four months. He was released in June 2020.