Early life
Born DeAndre Ramone Way in Chicago, Illinois on July 28, 1990, Way moved from Chicago to Atlanta, Georgia at age seven, where he became interested in rap music. At age 14, he moved to Batesville, Mississippi with his father, who provided a recording studio for Way to explore his musical ambitions.
Career
In November 2005, Way posted his songs on the video-based social community YouTube. Following positive reviews on the site, Soulja Boy then established his own web pages on YouTube and MySpace. In March 2007, he recorded βCrank Thatβ and released his first independent album Unsigned and Still Major, followed by a low-budget video filmed demonstrating the βSoulja Boyβ dance. By the end of May 2007, βCrank That (Soulja Boy)β received its first airplay and Soulja Boy 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. Wayβs 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, peaking at #4 on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
On December 9, 2007, Way was sued by William Lyons (aka Souljah Boy of the Mo Thugs) who claims he first created the stage name βSouljah Boyβ.
For the 50th Grammy Awards, Soulja Boy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song with βCrank That (Soulja Boy)β. He lost to Kanye Westβs and T-Painβs βGood Lifeβ.
The teen rapper recently inked a deal with Dallas-based company, Yums Shoes, for a line of his own sneakers called the βBlock Starβ and an apparel line. βThe Soulja boy exclusive shoe will be released in the fall along with my album,β he said. βThe Soulja Boy cartoon will also be released in the fall, so thereβs three things to look out for.β The line will be unveiled at the fall Magic fashion trade show in Las Vegas later this year, and the rapper will appear in both television and print ads for it.
Soulja Boy says he will not use better lyrics and get more respect from the rap game, although he could, because it will ruin his reputation and image.
Initial reception
The album Souljaboytellem.com was met with mostly negative reviews, despite a positive one from Allmusic. Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating he will likely be a one hit wonder.
Critics and hip-hop figures such as Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Jermaine Dupri cite Soulja Boy as artistically typical of contemporary rap trends such as writing for the lucrative ringtone market, and the ascendence of βSouthern hip hopβ, emphasizing catchy, mindless music that discards rapβs traditional emphasis on message. And even one article about his songs and heavily criticizing his musical style has dubbed Soulja Boy the βNickelback of hip hopβ. Soulja Boy identifies his goal as making upbeat, party-themed music that avoids the negative, violent image that he sees in most hip-hop. Despite this, his music has been banned from some school dances for sexual, pro-violence content or innuendo and, ironically, many of his recent recordings feature violent content and sexual innuendo. In the original YouTube video for βShootoutβ, Way demonstrates his dance while holding a handgun in each hand and pretending to shoot into the audience.
Feud with Ice-T
In June 2008, on DJ Ciscoβs Urban Legend mixtape, Ice-T criticized Soulja Boy for βkilling hip-hopβ and his song βCrank Thatβ for being βgarbageβ compared to the works of other hip-hop artists as Rakim, Das EFX, Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube. Soulja Boy responded in a YouTube video by mocking Ice-Tβs age (Ice-T was born in 1958) and claiming that he needed to support his family through his brand of music. Ice-T proceeded to offer a video response to Soulja Boyβs reaction in which he neglected to offer an apology while reiterating his belief that Soula Boyβs music was βgarbageβ. Rapper Kanye West defended Soulja Boy by arguing that Soulja Boy created a new, original work for hip-hop, thus keeping the authentic meaning of the music. Soulja Boy followed suit by buying Ice-T a flaming set of gigantic popcorn machines.
References in popular culture
Soulja Boy recently became an item in the first round NBA playoff series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards. In a bout of trash talking before the start of the series, Wizards guard Deshawn Stevenson called Cleveland superstar LeBron James βoverrated,β prompting James to say that he wouldnβt return the insult, as that would be βalmost like Jay-Z [responding to a negative comment] made by Soulja Boy.β Soulja Boy made an appearance at Game 3 of the series (played in Washington) in support of the Wizards; his music was played over the PA system. Despite his team losing the game by more than 30 points and LeBron posting poor numbers (compared to his exceptionally high averages), LeBron claims that the trick had no effect on him, and that his young son is a big fan of Soulja Boy.
BAPES
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[A-Rab:] What you get Soulja Boy
[Soulja Boy:] Mayne I got me some bathing apes
[Chorus x4]
I got me some bathing apes
I got I got me some bathing apes
I go I got me some bathing apes
I I I I I
[Verse]
Check out my Bathing Apes
I'm fresh to def and you like me
Don't try to cop my style
Mayne stick to dem Nikes
Green, white,black inside dese
Super clean Bathing Apes
My shoes like my chain
Shine hard they might hurt your face
And I'm clean in this thang
B-A-P-E-S up on my feet
Fresh fade wit the waves
30/30 Boyz up on my tee
You want to get them YEP
But you can't get like me NO
Asking me Soulja Boy
Where you get your shoes from (ay)
[Chorus x4]
I got me some bathing apes
I got I got me some bathing apes
I go I got me some bathing apes
I got I got I got me some bathing apes
I I I I I
Bathing Apes on my feet
And you niggas wearing kicks
Purple yellow white like my Kobe Bryant jersey
you ain't never seen these shoes
Then let me tell u something son
You see how fresh these bitches is
These are not no fucking ones
Step up on the stage with my mouth on froze
Bathing Apes on my feet
Put the crowd on hold
Hatas see them on my feet
I know they get mad
Lil Arab rocking mo colors then a bag of skittles
[Chorus x4]
I got me some bathing apes
I got I got me some bathing apes
I go I got me some bathing apes
I got I got I got me some bathing apes
I I I I I
Bathing Apes on my feet
So I got to keep it moving
Step up on the scene
Tell the hoes to start choosing
Start choosing hoe
Start choosing hoe
Start choosing hoe
Bathing Apes on my feet
So I got to keep it moving
Step up on the scene
Tell the hoes start choosing
Start choosing hoe
Start choosing hoe
Start choosing hoe (YA)
[Chorus x6]
I got me some bathing apes
I got I got me some bathing apes
I go I got me some bathing apes
I got I got I got me some bathing apes
I I I I I
I got me some bathing apes
I got me some bathing apes
I got me some bathing apes
I go I got me some bathing apes
I got I got I got me some bathing apes
I I I I I
The lyrics to Soulja Boy's BAPES express his love for and excitement about his shiny new Bathing Apes shoes. He boasts about how fresh he looks in them and even advises others to stick to their Nikes, as they can't pull off the Bapes like he can. The chorus repeats that he has these shoes multiple times, emphasizing their importance to him. He also says that his Bapes are as shiny as his chain, which speaks to how much he values these possessions.
When Soulja Boy raps about his clothing and shoes, he is presenting an image of himself as someone who is fashionable and stylish. The Bathing Apes shoes, in particular, appear to be a status symbol for him, proving that he has good taste and a sense of what is currently trendy. Throughout the song, he establishes himself as someone who is confident in his appearance and who enjoys the attention that wearing expensive shoes like these can bring.
Overall, Soulja Boy's BAPES is a celebratory song about showcasing one's style and affording high-end fashion items. For him, the Bathing Apes symbolize all of the above.
Line by Line Meaning
Aye Rab mayne i just got back from the mall mayne guess what I got?
Soulja Boy just came back from the mall and wants to show his new purchase.
Mayne I got me some bathing apes
Soulja Boy bought a new pair of Bathing Apes shoes.
I got me some bathing apes
I got I got me some bathing apes
I go I got me some bathing apes
I got I got I got me some bathing apes
I I I I I
Chorus reiterating that Soulja Boy has bought a new pair of Bathing Apes shoes.
Check out my Bathing Apes
I'm fresh to def and you like me
Don't try to cop my style
Mayne stick to dem Nikes
Green, white,black inside dese
Super clean Bathing Apes
My shoes like my chain
Shine hard they might hurt your face
And I'm clean in this thang
B-A-P-E-S up on my feet
Fresh fade wit the waves
30/30 Boyz up on my tee
You want to get them YEP
But you can't get like me NO
Asking me Soulja Boy
Where you get your shoes from (ay)
Soulja Boy is showing off his new Bathing Apes shoes and warning others not to copy his style with Nikes. He describes the beauty and shine of the shoes and how they match his style perfectly. He also mentions his clothes (30/30 Boyz shirts) and how others won't be able to get his exact style. He is often asked where he gets his shoes from.
Bathing Apes on my feet
And you niggas wearing kicks
Purple yellow white like my Kobe Bryant jersey
you ain't never seen these shoes
Then let me tell u something son
You see how fresh these bitches is
These are not no fucking ones
Step up on the stage with my mouth on froze
Bathing Apes on my feet
Put the crowd on hold
Hatas see them on my feet
I know they get mad
Lil Arab rocking mo colors then a bag of skittles
Soulja Boy notices that others are wearing regular shoes (not Bathing Apes) and he knows his shoes are unique and stylish. He proudly asserts that his Bathing Apes match his Kobe Bryant jersey's colors. He knows that others have never seen shoes like his, and he brags about the quality of his new shoes. He mentions how people stare at his shoes and how haters get mad when they see them. He wants to show off his shoes on stage and make an impression on the crowd. He also mentions his friend Lil Arab and his flashy style.
Bathing Apes on my feet
So I got to keep it moving
Step up on the scene
Tell the hoes to start choosing
Start choosing hoe
Start choosing hoe
Start choosing hoe
Soulja Boy wants to keep moving with his new shoes and attract the attention of women. He wants to step up on the scene and impress women, telling them to start choosing him over others. He repeats the phrase 'start choosing hoe' as a mantra.
I got me some bathing apes
I got me some bathing apes
I got me some bathing apes
I go I got me some bathing apes
I got I got I got me some bathing apes
I I I I I
Chorus reiterating that Soulja Boy has bought a new pair of Bathing Apes shoes.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind