Soulja Boy

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Biography

DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), better known by his stage name '''Soulja Boy Tell 'Em , or simply Soulja Boy , is an American Rapping|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 List of number-one hits (United States)|number-one hit in the United States for seven non-consecutive weeks starting in September 2007. On August 17 Way was listed at #18 on the Forbes|Forbes list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings of 2010 earning $7 million for that year.

Way has currently released three studio albums and one independent album: his debut studio album Souljaboytellem.com (2007) was certified List of music recording certifications|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, 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 (Soulja Boy album)|Promise , which will be released in July 2012.

Early life

DeAndre Way was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at age 6, where he became interested in hip hop music|rap music . at SoundClick

Career beginnings

At age 14, he moved to Batesville, Mississippi , with his father, who provided a recording studio for Way to explore his musical ambitions. 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 . In March 2007, he recorded " Crank That (Soulja Boy)|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 .

Music career

2007-08: Souljaboytellem.com

On August 12, 2007, the song appeared on the Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy-award winning HBO series Entourage (TV series)|Entourage , and by September 1, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot RingMasters charts.Vibe Magazine. Ayo, Technology by Brent S. Grier. November 2007. Page 50. Way's major label debut album Souljaboytellem.com , which was reportedly recorded using just the demo version of FL Studio , was released in the United States on October 2,Jeffries, David. . Allmusic : 2007 peaking at #4 on both the Billboard 200 and Top R& B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.

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 (Kanye West song)|Good Life ".

Souljaboytellem.com received a favorable review from Allmusic , but received mainly negative reviews from other sources such as Entertainment Weekly . Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating he will likely be a one-hit wonder .

2008-09: iSouljaBoyTellem

The follow-up to souljaboytellem.com , iSouljaBoyTellem , was released on December 16, 2008, to negative critical reception. The first single from the album, " Bird Walk ", peaked at #40 on the Billboard (magazine)|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 . " Kiss Me Thru the Phone ", with Sammie , followed, peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts. Chris Brown (American singer)|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. It sold over 2,000,000 digital copies in the United States, becoming his second song to reach the two million mark in downloads. Yahoo Music Blog (written by Paul Grein): Retrieved May 20, 2009

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.

2009-2010: The DeAndre Way

The DeAndre Way (album)|The DeAndre Way 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 , Eminem , 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 . 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 . 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. 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. Billboard.com The album's second single was due to be "Digital" but it was just used on his promotional mixtape Best Rapper . 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. 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 (magazine)|Billboard . 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.

2011-present: Mixtapes and Promise

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. 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". On April 20, 2011 Way released his mixtape Juice which cover was based on the Juice (film)|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. In September 2011, Way confirmed he is working on a new album, called Promise (Soulja Boy album)|Promise , which will be released in October. 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. http://twitter.com/#!/souljaboy/media/slideshow? url=pic.twitter.com%2FDqiH13n7

Other ventures

Stacks on Deck Entertainment

Way founded his record label Stacks on Deck Entertainment in 2004. While Way was signed under Interscope Records|Interscope and Mr. Collipark|Collipark Music , he claimed that his label had distribution deals with Universal Music Group and E1 Music|eOne Music .
;Current artists

Soulja Boy ( Interscope Records|Interscope / Mr. Collipark|Collipark Music /SODMG)(CEO)

Ja-Bar (TOKE Team/SODMG)

Arab (Boss Money/SODMG)

KillaCam (SODMG)

350 (SODMG)

Rashad (SODMG)

Antonio aka Tony The Deity (SODMG)

J-Money aka J. Futuristic (SODMG)

Spinning 9 (SODMG Germany/SODMG)

M2ThaK (SODMG)

Calico Jonez (SODMG)

Riff Raff (SODMG)

Young Sam (SODMG)

Agoff (Ocean Gang/SODMG)

Young L (Ocean Gang/SODMG)

John Boy (FyreHouse/SODMG)

Chief Keef (Glory Boyz/SODMG)

;Managed DJ's

DJ Whoogie

;Managed Producers

Soulja Boy

G5Kids

Kwony Cash

R3$ource

Jay Clink

Supa Crank It

Lil Keis

Record production

Way also produces records, including his own. In 2009 Way produced V.I.C. 's single " Get Silly " which went certified Gold & Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow 's single " Marco Polo (song)|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. On May 13, 2011 Way stated that he had produced & submitted beats for 50 Cent 's fifth studio album

Fashion designing

On March 5, 2008 Way released his official clothing line of S.O.D clothing. Then also in 2008 Way released his own brand of the popular shoe line entitled "Yums".

Acting career

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. On April 22, 2011 Way announced that he would be making his acting debut playing the main role as Bishop on the Juice (film)|Juice remake & that it would air on BET in sometime. 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.

Personal life

Legal issues

On December 9, 2007, Way was sued by William Lyons (a.k.a. Souljah Boy of Mo Thugs|Mo Thugs Family ) who created the stage name "Souljah Boy" in 1996.

On October 7, 2009, Way was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia on one count of obstruction, a misdemeanor, for running from police when he'd been ordered to stop while filming a video in an abandoned house. The rapper was released on $550 bond.

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.

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.

Victim of robbery and battery

On December 30, 2008, Way was robbed and Battery (crime)|battered in his home. Initial reports indicated that the robbers were six masked men with AK-47 s and pistols but on December 31, 2008, video clips surfaced on the Internet of two masked men claiming sole credit for the crime. Allhiphop.com, January 2, 2009 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.

Family tragedies

On the night of March 22, 2011, Way's little brother Deion Jenkins was killed in a car crash. Then on March 24, 2011 Way's older brother threatened to commit suicide.

Controversies

Way's music has been banned from some school dances for sexual or violent content and/or innuendos. However, he has denied these claims. 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.

Nas

On February 25, 2008, Way said in an interview that " Nas killed hip hop and his own career". Way later apologized for his comments.

Ice-T

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 . The two then traded videos back and forth over the Internet. MTV . June 25, 2008. 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. The feud was parodied in a 2010 episode of The Boondocks (TV series)|The Boondocks .

In May 2011, Way's feud somewhat reignited with Ice-T again regarding The film Juice (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."

Charles Hamilton

On December 9, 2008, Charles Hamilton (rapper)|Charles Hamilton commented in a interview by saying that Way was making it harder for new artists to be signed. Way responded by saying "X out the Sonic and fuck with Mario, you might want to got damn eat a mushroom." Charles Hamilton (rapper)|Charles Hamilton responded with the diss song "I'm You Last Year With Talent". Then the diss song "Word Aight".

Bow Wow

On February 2, 2009, Way challenged Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow to a race in their Lamborghini s and claimed Bow Wow's Lamborghini was a rental. 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!!!& #33; IM BOUT TO SHITTTT ON THIS NIGGA!& #33; LOL!!!!!". 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". Later that day during a phone conversation both rappers settled their differences.

Fabolous

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", a reference to Way's song "Pretty Boy Swag. "Soulja Boy went on a tirade 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.

U.S. Military

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."'' 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 September 11 Attacks|9/11 attacks .Fred A. Flores, a Marine Veteran and commissioner for the L.A. County Veteran’s Advisory Commission said, "It's a very offensive statement ... especially with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 coming up." WPGC radio personality Sunni said, "Wow& #33; Soulja Boy is a mess& #33; With the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks fast approaching, he released a song in which he disses the FBI and the U.S. troops. I find it extremely disrespectful since the families are still in mourning over the loss of their loved ones. What a dummy!""Soulja Boy and his camp are doing their damnedest to do some serious damage control after the swag rapper infuriated American military personnel with his ill-timed release of "Let's Be Real" during the week leading up to the tenth anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 attacks." 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." 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.

On September 7, 2011, the New York Times cited the U.S. military has announced an official ban on Way's music. Way apologized for the content of the song and has offered to do free performances for American soldiers.

Discography

;Studio albums

Souljaboytellem.com (2007)

iSouljaBoyTellem (2008)

The DeAndre Way (2010)

Promise (Soulja Boy album)|Promise (2012)

;Independent albums

Unsigned and Still Major: Da Album Before da Album (2007)

;Collaboration albums

Maserati Boys (TBA) (with Ja-Bar)

Tours

''America's Most Wanted (2009)

Who They Want (2011)

The World Is Yours (2012)

Filmography

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
2011	TBA	TBA	Juice (film)>Juice Remake
Television
Year	Title	Role	Notes
2007	The Ellen DeGeneres Show	Himself
2007	Last Call with Carson Daly	Himself
2008	Live with Regis	Himself	Minor appearance
	Access Granted	Himself	For his music video for " Bird Walk "
	My Super Sweet 16	Himself
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

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

*2007: Best New Artist (Nominated)

*2008: Viewer's Choice Award: " Crank That (Soulja Boy) " (Nominated)

*2009: Viewer's Choice Award: " Kiss Me Thru the Phone " (Nominated)

BET Hip-Hop Awards

*' 2007: Best Hip-Hop Dance (Won) '

Grammy Awards

*2008: Best Rap Song: "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" (Nominated)

Ozone Awards

*' 2007: Patiently Waiting: Mississippi (Won) '

*2008: Best Breakthrough Artist (Nominated)

*2008: TJ's DJ's Tastemaker Award (Nominated)

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

*2007: Favorite Male Singer (Nominated)

Teen Choice Awards

*2009: Choice Music: Rap Artist (Nominated)

*2009: Choice Music: R& B Track for "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" (Nominated)

*2009: Choice Music: Hook Up for "Kiss Me Thru the Phone"

*2009: Choice Music: Artist (Nominated)

Copyright Citations

This article is licensed under the GNU License
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Undetermined Music Artists

Soulja Boy

Biography

Early life

Career beginnings

Music career

2007-08: Souljaboytellem.com

2008-09: iSouljaBoyTellem

2009-2010: The DeAndre Way

2011-present: Mixtapes and Promise

Other ventures

Stacks on Deck Entertainment

Record production

Fashion designing

Acting career

Personal life

Legal issues

Victim of robbery and battery

Family tragedies

Controversies

Nas

Ice-T

Charles Hamilton

Bow Wow

Fabolous

U.S. Military

Discography

Tours

Filmography

Awards and nominations

See also

References

External links

Copyright Citations