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Soulja Boy | |
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 Way in an interview with Bandai Namco Entertainment at E3 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | DeAndre Cortez Way[1][2] |
| Also known as |
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| Born | July 28, 1990 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Works | |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels |
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| Children | 1 |
| Website | souljaboy |
DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), known professionally as Soulja Boy (formerly Soulja Boy Tell 'Em), is an American rapper and record producer from Atlanta, Georgia. He rose to prominence after his self-released 2007 debut single, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" peaked the Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks.[4] After its commercial re-release by Collipark Music, an imprint of Interscope Records, the song and its follow-up, "Soulja Girl" led to the release of his debut studio album, Souljaboytellem.com (2007). Despite unfavorable critical reception, it peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and spawned the single "Yahhh!."
His second album, iSouljaBoyTellem (2008)—supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 singles "Turn My Swag On" and "Kiss Me thru the Phone" (featuring Sammie)—was met with moderate commercial reception and a further decline in critical reception. Way was listed at number 18 on the Forbes list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings of 2010, as he earned US$7 million that year.[5] His third album, The DeAndre Way (2010)—supported by the top 40 single "Pretty Boy Swag"—saw a steeper decline in commercial reception before he parted ways with Interscope in favor of an independent career.
Way has become notable for his pioneering use of grassroots social media and digital marketing strategies during his mainstream popularity.[6] Outside of recording, he has pursued side ventures including video game development, record production for other artists, and his record label Stacks on Deck Entertainment, through which he has signed rappers including Lil B and Riff Raff. He has received a Grammy Award nomination, as well as three BET Award and four Teen Choice Award nominations.[7]
Early life[edit]
Way was born in Chicago and at age six moved to Atlanta,[8] where he became interested in rap music.[9] At age 14, he moved to Batesville, Mississippi, with his father.[10]
Musical career[edit]
2004–2007: Early recordings and building an Internet following[edit]
Way's father provided a recording studio for Way to explore his musical ambitions.[8] In early 2005, he was a frequent poster on the website Newgrounds,[11][12] and in November that same year, Way posted on the music website SoundClick. Following positive reviews on the site, he established accounts on YouTube and Myspace.[13][14] In March 2007, he released his first independent album, Unsigned & Still Major: Da Album Before da Album.
2007–2011: Souljaboytellem.com, iSouljaBoyTellem, and The DeAndre Way[edit]
Also in March 2007, Way recorded "Crank That (Soulja Boy)", followed by a low-budget video demonstrating the "Crank That" dance. On May 2, "Crank That" was released as a single; by month's end, it had received its first airplay, and Way met with Mr. Collipark to sign a recording contract with his record label Collipark Music, which later entered a joint venture with Interscope Records shortly after.[15] On August 12, "Crank That" was used on the television series Entourage, and on September 1 it topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and Hot RingMasters charts.[16] During the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" was nominated for Best Rap Song, losing to Kanye West's and T-Pain's "Good Life".
Way's major label debut album, Souljaboytellem.com, was released in the United States on October 2,[17] peaking at number four on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[18] The album was reportedly recorded using just the demo version of FL Studio.[19][20] Souljaboytellem.com received a favorable review from Allmusic[17] but mainly negative reviews from other sources, such as Entertainment Weekly.[21] Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating that he would be a one-hit wonder.[22][23][24]
The follow-up to Souljaboytellem.com, iSouljaBoyTellem, was released on December 16, 2008, to negative critical reception.[25] The first single from the album, "Bird Walk", peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the top 20 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. It was performed on YouTube Live on November 22, 2008, with an introduction from MC Hammer.[26] "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" (featuring Sammie) followed, peaking at number three on the Hot 100 and number one on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.[27] Chris Brown was Way's first choice to sing the hook, but respectfully turned down the offer. Way then tried to do it on his own with Auto-Tune but found it unacceptable.[28] The song sold over 2 million digital copies in the U.S., becoming Way's second to reach two million downloads.[29][30] On January 26, 2009, Way released the third single, "Turn My Swag On". It topped the U.S. rap charts and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. As of August 23, 2009[update], it has sold more than 1 million digital downloads in the U.S.[30]
Way said his third studio album, The DeAndre Way,[31] was intended to be his most personal and successful album thus far. He said he wished to collaborate with artists such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West[32] and Eminem.[33] The album's lead single, "POW", was released in January 2009 but failed to garner success and was dubbed a promo single. On October 30, 2009, Way released three mixtapes: Paranormal Activity, Dat Piff and Cortez.[34] It was announced on February 18, 2010, that the first single from the album was going to be "All Black Everything", but the single was canceled and the track was put on another promotional mixtape, Legendary.[35] The album's title was changed to Dre in an early 2010 commercial with a video snippet for "Do It Big" as the first single, but this was also canceled.[36] The album title reverted to The DeAndre Way in July 2010.
On June 8, 2010, the album's official lead single was "Pretty Boy Swag". It reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number five on the Rap Songs chart.[37] The album's second single was due to be "Digital", which was instead used on his promotional mixtape Best Rapper.[38] Then it was announced that "Speakers Going Hammer" was going to be the second single, but "Blowing Me Kisses" was released on August 31, 2010, as the second single instead.[39] On October 13, Way performed "Pretty Boy Swag" and a snippet of "Speakers Going Hammer". On October 19, 2010, he released "Speakers Going Hammer" on iTunes; it peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs.[40] Way backed out of the Summerbeatz tour in Australia in November 2010, where he was to have performed alongside Flo Rida, Jay Sean and Travie McCoy,[41] in order to embark on his "Who They Want" tour in support of his upcoming album. The DeAndre Way was released on November 30, 2010, and has so far[when?] sold only 70,000 copies, making it Way's lowest-selling album.
2011–2018: Mixtapes, EPs, independent albums, and Loyalty[edit]
In 2011, Way released a series of mixtapes. The first, on January 22, was titled Smooky and had cartoon cover art of Way doing a 360 on a bicycle.[42] On March 17, Way released the mixtape 1UP which had cover art based on the Naruto anime, with Way stating: "If I was in a video game, this mixtape would advance me to the next level with an extra life. Power up with the new offering."[43] On April 20, Way released his mixtape Juice with cover art based on the film of the same name. Way said he would also release a mini-movie of his own to go along with the mixtape, and that he was headed to greatness with the mixtape.[44] On July 15, Way released his EP mixtape titled Bernaurd Arnault EP (Limited Edition).[45] Then on August 1, Way released another ep mixtape titled 21: EP.[46] On August 31, Way released the mixtape The Last Crown, the cover of the mixtape is based on the artwork the Flammarion Engraving.[47][48] In September 2011, Way confirmed that he is working on a new album, Promise, which would be released in October.[49] Way also released the cover and title of his second independent album via Twitter, titled Skate Boy, with a notice that it would be available in stores on November 1.[50][51] On September 19, Way released the mixtape Supreme.[52] On October 30, Skate Boy (Deluxe Edition) was released as a mixtape, rather than an album.[53][54] On December 30, 2011, Way released another mixtape titled Gold On Deck.[55]
In 2012, Way released additional mixtapes while his album continued to be delayed. On January 9, Way released a mixtape for the beginning of the year, titled 50/13, with the cover based on that of ASAP Rocky's mixtape Live. Love. ASAP.[56] On January 24, Way released a collaboration mixtape with his artist Young L titled Mario & Domo vs. the World with cover art based on the video game Super Mario Bros.[57] On March 23, Way released a mixtape titled OBEY which featured the promotional single "Too Faded".[58][59][60] On June 3, 2012, Way talked about his upcoming album Promise and said he has released so many mixtapes in the last two years because he feels he has to put out a lot of music and be as creative as possible.[61] On June 11, Way released another collaboration mixtape with rapper Vinny Chase titled Double Cup City.[62] On September 4, Way released the sequel mixtape Juice II, in which Way returned to his old production style with the beginning lines "Soulja Boy Tell 'Em". It is Way's most-downloaded mixtape.[63] His mixtape titled Young & Flexin was released on November 6.[64] On December 25, 2012, Way released LOUD, which was his first mixtape distributed on iTunes.[65][66]
2013 was marked by further album delays while Way's record deal expired, and he continued to release mixtapes. On February 22, Way released his first mixtape of the year, titled Foreign.[67] In March, it was rumored that Way was signing to Cash Money Records after getting a face tattoo saying "Rich Gang" the same weekend he was seen with his manager and Cash Money artists Birdman and Bow Wow.[68] This continued after he added "Rich Gang" or "YMCMB" to his social media platforms. Way had earlier reported that he was no longer with Interscope Records after his record deal ended in February.[69] Way also announced that his album Promise had been retitled USA DRE. On March 15, he released the first single from the album, titled "Handsome".[70][71] Following that, on March 25, he released the EP, All Black.[72] On April 24, Way released his mixtape Foreign 2.[73] Three days later, Way revealed the cover art to his next mixtape titled King Soulja which was released on May 5.[74] On May 26, Way released his second EP titled Cuban Link.[75][76] On June 13, Way announced another album title change, to Life After Fame, and that it would be released to stores on July 30, 2013.[77] On June 25, Way released his first single from the album titled "Ridin Round" to iTunes, but it was later dubbed a promotional single.[78][79] On June 30, Way released Life After Fame as a mixtape instead of an album.[80] On September 24, Way released his mixtape titled 23.[81][82] On November 30, Way released his mixtape The King.[83][84] On December 28, 2013, rapper/singer Drake collaborated and remixed Way's intro track "We Made It" from his mixtape The King.[85][86]
In 2014, Way continued work on his fourth studio album while collaborating with other artists and releasing additional mixtapes. On March 18, Way released his first mixtape of the year titled King Soulja 2.[87][88][89] On April 20, Way released his first digital album Super Dope, featuring an appearance from rapper Busta Rhymes.[90] On May 19, Way produced, co-wrote and was featured on Nicki Minaj's promotional single "Yasss Bish", which received positive reviews from music critics.[91][92] On June 8, Way announced that he was currently working on his new mixtape project King Soulja 3, which would feature appearances from Lil Wayne, Drake, Migos, Young Thug and Wiz Khalifa.[93] On June 29, Way released King Soulja 3 as his second digital album via iTunes, featuring appearances from Gudda Gudda and Rich The Kid.[94] On October 31, Way released his mixtape Young Millionaire, featuring appearances from Sean Kingston, Cap.1 and Rich The Kid.[95][96][97] On November 17, Way announced via his Instagram that he had signed a new label deal with Universal Music Group and also revealed the title, cover art and release date for his fourth studio album, Loyalty, originally scheduled for release on December 2, 2014, but pushed back to February 3, 2015.[98]
In 2015, following the release of his fourth studio album, Loyalty, Way released additional singles, mixtapes and a digital album. For this upcoming digital album, King Soulja 4, Way released the single "Whippin My Wrist (Too Rich)" on February 27; it charted on the Billboard Trending 140 at number 48.[99][100] On May 16, Way released his mixtape Swag The Mixtape featuring appearances from Migos, Peewee Longway, Troy Ave, Johnny Cinco, Chief Keef, Pack Strong, Paul Allen, Chella H, Calico Jonez and Kyle Massey.[101][102] On May 26, fellow Atlanta, Georgia artist Rich The Kid announced that he and Way would be releasing a collaboration album titled Get Rich.[103] On June 3, via Twitter, Way revealed the title, cover art and release date to his upcoming fifth studio album, Blessed, which was scheduled for release on July 28, 2015, but experienced several delays.[104] On June 30, Way released a mixtape titled 25 The Movie.[105] On July 17, Way released a new single titled "Actavis" featuring Migos, taken from his fourth digital album King Soulja 4.[106] On July 23, Way released his mixtape titled M & M: Money and Music.[107][108] On July 30, through his independent label Stacks on Deck Entertainment, Way released his fourth digital album, King Soulja 4, featuring appearances from Migos, ReeseMoneyBagz, Dae Dot and Sean Kingston.[109][110] On September 1, Way released the single "Diddy Bop".[111] On September 24, Way released a single titled "Gratata" along with an accompanying music video.[112][113] On September 28, Way released the mixtape Plug Talk.[114] On November 9, Way premiered a single titled "Make It Rain".[115] On November 24, Way released a mixtape titled S. Beezy.[116][117][118][119]
In 2016, Way released his fifth and sixth digital albums and various mixtapes, singles and videos. On January 14, he released the single "Drop The Top"; on January 24, he premiered its video.[120][121][122] On January 24, he released the standalone single "Stephen Curry", named for the NBA player, and on February 6, he released a video for the song.[123][124][125] On February 10, he released another mixtape, Finesse EP.[126] On February 14, he released the mixtape King Soulja 5, the fifth installment in his King Soulja mixtape/album series.[127][128] On March 15, through his independent label, he released his fifth digital album, Stacks On Deck, featuring Agoff, King Reefa, Lil Yachty and Rich The Kid.[129][130][131][132] On May 12, he released the single "Day One".[133] On June 9, through his label Stacks on Deck Entertainment, he released his sixth digital album, Better Late Than Never, featuring Lil Twist and Lil Yachty.[134][135][136] On July 23, he released the single "Rockstar".[137] On July 31, he released the mixtape Rockstar.[138][139][140] On August 23, he released the sequel mixtape S. Beezy 2.[139][141][142] On September 14, he released the single "Max Payne".[143] On September 24, he released the single "Hit Them Folks".[144] On September 26, he released the single "I'm Up Now" featuring Chief Keef.[145] On September 29, he released the mixtape King Soulja 6, the sixth installment in his King Soulja mixtape/album series.[146][147][148] On October 25, 2016, Way and Bow Wow released a joint retail mixtape, Ignorant Shit.[149][150][151]
2018–present: Breakfast Club interview and How Can You Blame Me?[edit]
In late 2018, Way went on Instagram Live and responded to fan comments suggesting Tyga had the biggest comeback of any artist in 2018. Way angrily claimed he had had the biggest comeback, with a snippet of the video going viral that same day.[152] Later in early 2019, Way made an appearance on the radio show The Breakfast Club, where he defended his statements. A snippet of Way responding to a question about fellow musician Drake became a viral meme following the interview.[153]
Way continued to release singles and two mix-tapes throughout 2019, releasing the first mix-tape, Fuego, on January 10,[154] and the second mix-tape, Tell Ya, on March 25.[155] Way announced on January 18, 2019, he was working on his fifth studio album titled How Can You Blame Me?,[156] (originally titled Blessed), with the album set to be released on July 28. The album was delayed for unknown reasons following Way's 2019 incarceration.[157] On July 28, 2020, following his rising success as a Twitch streamer,[158] Way released the mixtape King Soulja 9,[159] followed by several singles throughout 2020. In late November 2020, Way released the mixtape Swag 3, and continued to release several singles such as Pandemic and CEO at the start of 2021.[160][161] On February 1, 2021, Way released the mixtape Soulja World, which features frequent collaborator Lil B.[162] In April 2021, Soulja Boy signed a record deal with Virgin Music.[163]
Musical style[edit]
Speaking on his rudimentary rapping technique and vacuous lyrical style, in a November 2010 interview with XXL Magazine, while Way was explaining how he has grown as an emcee he stated:
I can't keep playin' around, because if you keep playin' around, people are gonna think you're a joke ... At some point, you have to get serious. But don't get it twisted, Soulja doesn't wanna be the next Lupe Fiasco. I don't want to be super-Lupe-Fiasco-lyrical and niggas don't know what the fuck I'm talking about," he added. "I want to be the best," he continued. "I want to be recognized in that category where I'm nominated for Best Rapper with Jay-Z and Kanye and Wayne. I wanna get a Grammy. I want Best Rap Album of the Year ... I've made millions of dollars off of doing my style, but, hey, I can rap, too.
On December 5, 2010, Way clarified this statement that Lupe Fiasco was too "lyrical", explaining that he wanted to keep the rudimentary music style he developed and justified why he doesn't keep a lyrically based flow and more substantially profound lyrical subject matter on every song.[164] According to Way:
[XXL Magazine] didn't [publish] my whole statement. And basically, the interviewer dude, he was asking me why do I make lyrical songs like 'Only God Knows,' 'Born' ... 'The World So Cold,' and why do I make non-lyrical songs like 'Crank That' and 'Pretty Boy Swag'? And he was like, why don't I just be lyrical all the time? And I was telling him on [a] specific song, like 'Pretty Boy Swag,' I ain't wanna be all lyrical. I just wanted to be straight-up, and just be simple, [so] people can get what I'm saying 'cause it's a club song. But I wasn't saying as far as my whole music [output, with] all of my songs, that I don't wanna be rappin' like Lupe Fiasco.
Way further clarified there was no animosity between him and Fiasco and that the two had planned to record a song together.[165]
Other ventures[edit]
Stacks on Deck Entertainment[edit]
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