| Soulja Boy | |
|---|---|
Soulja Boy at YouTube Live doing his signature dance in 2008. |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | DeAndre Cortez Way[1][2] |
| Also known as | Soulja Boy Tell 'Em |
| Born | July 28, 1990 Chicago, Illinois |
| Origin | Batesville, Mississippi, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Stacks on Deck/Collipark Music/Interscope |
| Associated acts | Arab, Mr. Collipark |
| Website | thedeandreway.com |
DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), better known by his stage name Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, or simply Soulja Boy, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur.
In September 2007, his single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published on the internet, and it later became a number-one hit in the United States for seven non-consecutive weeks starting in September 2007.[3] On August 17 Way was listed at #18 on the Forbes list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings of 2010 earning $7 million for that year.[4]
Way has currently released three studio albums and one independent album: his debut studio album Souljaboytellem.com (2007) was certified platinum by the RIAA. However, his next two albums, iSouljaBoyTellem (2008) and The DeAndre Way (2010) did not match the commercial success of his debut, the latter only selling 100,000 copies,[5] despite the success of several singles across both albums, such as "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" and "Turn My Swag On" (iSouljaBoyTellem) and "Pretty Boy Swag" (The DeAndre Way).
On October 18, 2011, Soulja Boy released his documentary bio pic, Soulja Boy: The Movie.
As of 2011, Way has confirmed he is working on his fourth studio album, entitled Promise, which will be released in late 2011 or early 2012.[6]
Contents |
DeAndre Way was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at age 6,[7] where he became interested in rap music.[8]
At age 14, he moved to Batesville, Mississippi, with his father, who provided a recording studio for Way to explore his musical ambitions.[7] In November 2005, Way posted his songs on the website SoundClick. Following positive reviews on the site, he then established his own web pages on YouTube and MySpace.[9][10] In March 2007, he recorded "Crank That" and released his first independent album Unsigned & Still Major: Da Album Before da Album, followed by a low-budget video filmed demonstrating the "Crank That" dance. By the end of May 2007, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" received its first airplay and Way met with Mr. Collipark to sign a deal with Interscope Records.
On August 12, 2007, the song appeared on the Emmy-award winning HBO series Entourage, and by September 1, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot RingMasters charts.[11] Way's major label debut album Souljaboytellem.com, which was reportedly recorded using just the demo version of FL Studio,[8][12] was released in the United States on October 2,[13] peaking at #4 on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[14]
For the 50th Grammy Awards, Way was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song with "Crank That (Soulja Boy)". He lost to Kanye West's and T-Pain's "Good Life".
Souljaboytellem.com received a favorable review from Allmusic,[13] but received mainly negative reviews from other sources such as Entertainment Weekly.[15] Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating he will likely be a one-hit wonder.[16][17][18]
The follow-up to souljaboytellem.com, iSouljaBoyTellem, was released on December 16, 2008, to negative critical reception.[19] The first single from the album, "Bird Walk", peaked at #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 the first YouTube Live on November 22, 2008, with an introduction from MC Hammer.[20] "Kiss Me Thru the Phone", with Sammie, followed, peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.[21] Chris Brown was originally 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 he found it unacceptable.[22] It sold over 2,000,000 digital copies in the United States, becoming his second song to reach the two million mark in downloads.[23][24]
On January 26, 2009 Way released his third single "Turn My Swag On". it topped the US Rap Charts and peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has so far sold more than 1,000,000 digital downloads in the United States. It became Soulja Boy's third song to sell 1 million or more downloads.[24]
The DeAndre Way[25] is Way's third studio album, Way has stated that the album is intended to be his most personal and successful album thus far. When speaking on possible collaborations, he stated he wished to work with artists such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West,[26] Eminem,[27] among others. The lead single from the album, "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 & Cortez.[28] Then it was announced on February 18, 2010 that the first single from the album was gone be "All Black Everything" but it was cancelled & was just put on his promotional mixtape Legendary.[29] The album was titled "The DeAndre Way" but was changed in early 2010 to Dre with a commercial video snippet for "Do It Big" as the first single but it was cancelled as well.[30] However it was reverted back to The DeAndre Way in July 2010.
But on June 8, 2010, the official lead single from the album was "Pretty Boy Swag". The single has reached #34 on the Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number five on the Billboard Rap Songs chart.[31] The album's second single was due to be "Digital" but it was just used on his promotional mixtape Best Rapper.[32] Then it was announced that "Speakers Going Hammer" was gone be the second single, but "Blowing Me Kisses" was released on August 31, 2010 as the second single instead.[33] On October 13 Soulja Boy performed "Pretty Boy Swag" & a snippet of his third single "Speakers Going Hammer". On October 19, 2010 Way finally released "Speakers Going Hammer" on iTunes the single peaked at #48 on the Hot R&B & Hip Hop tracks Billboard.[34] The DeAndre Way was released on November 30, 2010 it has so far has only sold 70,000 copies making this Way's lowest selling album. Soulja Boy was to be part of the Summerbeatz tour held in Australia alongside Flo Rida, Jay Sean and Travie McCoy in November 2010, but in lieu of his current album release date Soulja Boy had declined the offer & just embarked on his Who They Want tour.
On January 22, Way released his first mixtape of 2011 Smooky which cover featured a cartoon version of Way on a bicycle doing a 360.[35] Then On March 17, 2011 Way released the mixtape 1up which cover was based on the Naruto anime Way stated "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".[36] On April 20, 2011 Way released his mixtape Juice which cover was based on the Juice the movie Way stated he would also released a mini movie of his own to go along with the mixtape Way stated that he was headed to greatness with the mixtape.[37] In September 2011, Way confirmed he is working on a new album, called Promise, which will be released in October.[38] Way also released the cover & title of his second independent album via Twitter, entitled "Skate Boy", which he said would be available in stores November 1, also via twitter.[39][40]
| SODMG Entertainment | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | DeAndre "Soulja Boy" Way (CEO) Michael "Miami Mike" Sykes (President) |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor(s) | Interscope (2007-present) Universal Motown (2009-present) |
| Genre | Hip-hop, Southern rap, pop, Crunk, R&B |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia (2007-present) |
| Official Website | http://sodmg.com/ |
Way founded his record label "Stacks on Deck Entertainment" in 2004. While Way was signed under Interscope and Collipark Music, he claimed that his label had distribution deals with Interscope, Universal Records, and Koch.
Way also produces records, including his own. In 2009 Way produced V.I.C.'s single "Get Silly" which went certified Gold & Bow Wow's single "Marco Polo". Way beats often contain the beginning lines "Soulja Boy Tell 'em" But as of late Way has produced beats without using the lines. Also in 2009 Way was also supposed to been producing for Kanye West's fourth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy & Kanye was supposed to been producing for Ways third studio album The DeAndre Way but for unknown reasons neither of them used each other's beats.[41] On May 13, 2011 Way stated that he had produced & submitted beats for 50 Cent's fifth studio album[42]
On March 5, 2008 Way released his official clothing line of S.O.D clothing.[43] Then also in 2008 Way released his own brand of the popular shoe line entitled "Yums".[44]
In January 7, 2009 Soulja Boy announced that he was supposed to been releasing his own cartoon entitled Soulja Boy: The Animated Series but only one episode was ever released.[45][46] On April 22, 2011 Way announced that he would be making his acting debut playing the main role as Bishop on the Juice remake & that it would air on BET in sometime.[47] On July 21, 2011 Way released the trailer to his upcoming documentary about his life entitled Soulja Boy: The Movie that was released on October 18, 2011.[48]
On December 9, 2007, Way was sued by William Lyons (a.k.a. Souljah Boy of Mo Thugs Family) who created the stage name "Souljah Boy" in 1996.[49]
On October 7, 2009, Way was arrested on one count of obstruction, a misdemeanor, for running from police when he'd been ordered to stop. The rapper was released on $550 bond.[50]
In May 2011, Way and his labels were sued by a local Pennsylvania promoter for failing to make promised payments in connection with a rescheduled concert.[51]
On October 18, 2011, Way was traveling west on I-20 in Carroll County, Georgia with four other men when their vehicle was pulled over for a vehicle equipment violation. The police officer who made the stop searched the vehicle and found more than five ounces of marijuana. Way was arrested and released on bond during the same day.[52]
On December 30, 2008, Way was robbed and assaulted in his home. Initial reports indicated that the robbers were six masked men with AK-47s and pistols but on December 31, 2008, video clips surfaced on the Internet of two masked men claiming sole credit for the crime.[53] Soulja Boy described the incident to MTV News a month later: He had come home very late at night after attending an album release party and was recording songs with friends when the robbers came in pointing their guns.[54]
On the night of March 22, 2011, Way's little brother Deion Jenkins was killed in a car crash.[55] Then on March 24, 2011 Way's older brother threatened to commit suicide.[56]
Way's music has been banned from some school dances for sexual or violent content and/or innuendos. However, he has denied these claims.[57] In the original YouTube video for "Shootout", Soulja Boy demonstrates his dance while holding a handgun in each hand and pretending to shoot into the audience.[58]
On February 25, 2008, Way said in an interview that "Nas killed hip hop and his own career".[59] Way later apologized for his comments.[60]
In June 2008, on DJ Cisco's Urban Legend mixtape, Ice-T told Way to "eat a dick" and criticized Way for "killing hip-hop" and his song "Crank That" for being "garbage" compared to the works of other hip-hop artists such as Rakim, Das EFX, Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube.[61] The two then traded videos back and forth over the Internet.[62] Rapper Kanye West defended Way by arguing that the younger artist created a new, original work for hip-hop, thus keeping the authentic meaning of the music.[63] The feud was parodied in a 2010 episode of The Boondocks.
In May 2011, Way's feud somewhat reignited with Ice-T again regarding The film Juice. Way stated he would also released a movie of his own to go along with his mixtape of the same name again somewhat reignited with Ice-T following a statement during Ice-T's interview with Shade 45 in late April 2011. Ice-T stated that Way's role as Bishop, which was famously originated by Tupac Shakur was not an issue. But Ice-T would find the fact that the film being remade is problematic saying ""What?” he said. “But that’s Pac… At some point, somebody gotta stop it. I came out. I made some statements. Man, I don’t know. Do you, dude, do you. If the masses accept it, it shows you the state we’re in… Come on man, you think I’d try to remake Pac’s movie? Good luck though, I'm not a hater...eh." Way himself barraged Ice-T with retaliatory tweets on the same day, joking that someone should "get this guy a hairline." [64][65]
On December 9, 2008, Charles Hamilton commented in a interview by saying that Way was making it harder for new artists to be signed.[66] Way responded by saying "X out the Sonic and fuck with Mario, you might want to got damn eat a mushroom."[67] Charles Hamilton responded with the diss song "I'm You Last Year With Talent".[68] Then the diss song "Word Aight".[69]
On February 2, 2009, Way challenged Bow Wow to a race in their Lamborghinis and claimed Bow Wow's Lamborghini was a rental.[70] On February 4, 2009 Bow Wow proved that he owned his Lamborghini and said "its halloween in Bankhead for you everyday nigga..you scared..you all nervous and shit". Way responded on twitter by saying "HE FUCKED UP!!!! IM BOUT TO SHITTTT ON THIS NIGGA!! LOL!!!!!".[71] On February 7, 2009 both artist sent diss songs to each other such as Way's "Fuck Bow Wow" & Bow Wow's "What I Think About You".[72] Later that day during a phone conversation both rappers settled their differences.[73]
On December 28, 2010, Fabolous during a radio interview commented on the claim that Way does cocaine, saying "pretty boy swag but never coke my nose though",[74] a reference to Way's song "Pretty Boy Swag. "Soulja Boy went on a tirade[75] on Twitter in response, saying "I ignore dis foo like 5x before this. fuck that. If you send some niggaz to spray me @myfabolouslife at least I die I real nigga fuck you boy." 50 Cent also took to Twitter to say, "leave him the f*** alone before somebody get hurt." Way and Fabolous ended their beef on a radio interview.[76]
In September 2011, Soulja Boy released the song "Let's Be Real". One of the lines of the song went: "Fuck the FBI and the army troops ... fighting for what? Be your own man ... I'll be flying through the clouds with green like I'm Peter Pan."[77] After the song was released, Soulja Boy was highly criticized by the military members and their families, especially in regards to the timing relative to the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.[78][79][80] Soulja Boy apologized, "When I expressed my frustration with the US Army, not only did my words come out wrong, I was wrong to even speak them." He adds, "So, I write this to give my sincerest apology to all members of the United States military services, as well as their families that were offended by my most recent lyrics."[77] Representatives for Soulja Boy have indicated that the song has been pulled from his upcoming album, Promise, and will not be available for sale. They are also attempting to remove the video from the internet.[81]
On September 7, 2011, the New York Times cited the U.S. military has announced an official ban on Way's music. Way responded by the rapper is going a step further from not just the removal of the song, but by also offering free performances to the American soldiers and their families.[82]
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| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | YouTube Live | Himself | Small Role |
| 2008 | What's at Stake?' | Himself | Small Role |
| 2009 | School Gyrls | Himself | Cameo |
| 2010 | Malice N Wonderland | Soulja | Small Role |
| 2011 | Soulja Boy: The Movie | as Himself | Documentary on his life |
| TBA | TBA | Main Role/Juice Remake | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Himself | |
| Last Call with Carson Daly | Himself | ||
| 2008 | Live with Regis | Himself | Minor appearance |
| Access Granted | Himself | For his music video for "Bird Walk" | |
| 2010 | When I Was 17 | Himself | |
| The Mo'Nique Show | Himself | ||
| Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Himself | ||
| Lopez Tonight | Himself | ||
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Himself | ||
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