Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, is an American rapper, producer, and entrepreneur. He gained widespread fame in 2007 with his breakout hit single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," which became a viral sensation and sparked a popular dance craze.
Soulja Boy went on to prove that he wasn't a one-hit wonder with multiple songs cracking the Billboard 100, including his breakout track "Crank That," there were other notable hits like "Kiss Me Through the Phone," "Turn My Swag On," "Soulja Girl," and "Pretty Boy Swag."
Recently, his song "Pretty Boy Swag" caught the attention of Ariana Grande, who incorporated it into her hit track "Seven Rings." Soulja Boy has amassed a considerable fortune estimated to be worth $23 million and maintains a strong social media following with over 2 million subscribers on YouTube, and over 5 million followers on both Instagram and Twitter.
He is credited with having the best comeback of 2019, despite claiming the same for 2018. Soulja Boy is considered a pioneer of making it big through internet fame and his earnings from ringtones alone are unmatched.
While his career may have simmered down over the years, his influence on internet-based artists, not just rappers, is undeniable.
Soulja Boy's journey began with posting videos on YouTube in 2006, before the rise of prominent online performers. He was also one of the early artists to publish music on SoundCloud and performed shows in Atlanta while working at Burger King.
Soulja Boy's breakthrough year was in 2007, and although his career has had its ups and downs since then, his impact on internet-driven success is significant. In fact, he inspired artists like Lil Pump, as seen in an old video where Soulja Boy pumped up a crowd.
He recognized the power of the internet and its ability to reach fans at any time, unlike traditional TV exposure.
Soulja Boy, born DeAndre Cortez Way on July 28, 1990, in Chicago and raised in Atlanta, had a passion for hip-hop from an early age. He grew up with two brothers, Tracy Lee Jenkins and Dion Jenkins, with Dion tragically passing away in a car accident when he was 14.
Dion played a significant role in Soulja Boy's formative years, as they performed together and perfected dance moves at home. This was all before Soulja Boy achieved mainstream success.
Deandre's parents separated when he was young, and his mother, Lisa, still lives in a dilapidated house in Atlanta where he was raised. Lisa started dating a man who goes by the name Soldier Gambino, whom she met at a grocery store when Deandre was eight.
This man later accused Soldier Boy of stealing his name. There are videos of Lisa discussing Deandre's ambition to become famous at a young age, suggesting that his family recognized the potential of YouTube early on.
Deandre's father, Tracy, had a significant impact on his upbringing, because at the age of 14, Deandre moved with his father to Batesville, Mississippi, where Tracy provided him access to a recording studio.
Deandre, also known as Soulja Boy, began experimenting with music production using a bootleg version of Fruity Loops and collaborated with a friend named Youngquan. Influenced by his hometowns, he coined his sound as "Chai Lanta Sippy."
While attending Batesville South Panola High School, Deandre sold his CDs at school and played football as a wide receiver while maintaining good grades. However, his focus shifted when he discovered the internet, leading to a decline in his academic performance. In order to earn money for a car, he took a job at Burger King.
Deandre found collaborators, including an artist named Arab, and they formed the hip hop duo 30-30-30 Boys. He hired Michael Sykes, also known as Miami Mike, as their manager.
In 2014, Deandre returned to Atlanta and connected with Derek Crooms, a notable figure in the music industry. Through Crooms' guidance, he secured his first nightclub performance in Indianapolis, which ultimately led him to pursue a solo career.
Deandre's breakthrough came when he was discovered by producer Mr. Collipark, who helped him gain mainstream recognition. Collipark emphasized that Soldier Boy's appeal extended beyond just his music; it encompassed his overall lifestyle, including his fashion choices.
Soldier Boy's online presence and dedicated fan base played a significant role in his success. Before joining platforms like YouTube and MySpace, he gained popularity on SoundClick, where he garnered thousands of daily downloads and earned a substantial income.
Overall, Deandre's journey from his childhood in Atlanta to his rise as Soulja Boy involved various influences, collaborations, and the utilization of online platforms to build a dedicated following.
After gaining attention on SoundClick, Soulja Boy created his own website. He expanded his online presence to various music and social media platforms, quickly becoming the top artist on MySpace and utilizing YouTube to upload videos showcasing his dancing, hanging out at parties, and even doing fashion hauls.
The internet was crucial to Deandre, to the point that he didn't inform his dad about a school suspension, fearing he might lose internet access. He spent three days in an abandoned house during that time.
Soulja Boy employed some online tricks, like using programs such as LimeWire to deceive people into listening to his music by tagging his songs with popular names like Michael Jackson.
While controversial, similar tactics were employed by others like DJ Khaled. Soulja Boy's online promotion efforts led to success, and he was named the best vaporizer of 2018 by High Times. He established his own label, Stacks on Deck Entertainment, and returned to Atlanta to pursue industry leads and live performances.
Working with Kala Park, Soulja Boy's MySpace page broke the site's record and generated millions of views. In March 2007, he released his first independent album titled "Unsigned and Still Major: Da Album Before Da Album."
The song "Crank That" became a massive hit, amassing over 377 million YouTube plays and earning him a Grammy nomination. His debut album, "Souljaboytellem.com," was released later that year, followed by "iSouljaBoyTellem" in 2008 and "The DeAndre Way" in 2010.
While Soulja Boy had subsequent releases and cannot be considered a one-hit wonder, he never achieved the same level of success as "Crank That," which became a viral sensation and popular dance craze akin to the Macarena, even being performed by characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Winnie the Pooh, and Barney.