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 “Crank That” and released his first independent album Unsigned and Still Major, followed by a low-budget video filmed demonstrating the “Soulja Boy” dance. By the end of May 2007, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” 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. 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, 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 “Souljah Boy”.
For the 50th Grammy Awards, Soulja Boy 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”.
The teen rapper recently inked a deal with Dallas-based company, Yums Shoes, for a line of his own sneakers called the “Block Star” and an apparel line. “The Soulja boy exclusive shoe will be released in the fall along with my album,” he said. “The Soulja Boy cartoon will also be released in the fall, so there’s three things to look out for.” 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 “Southern hip hop”, emphasizing catchy, mindless music that discards rap’s traditional emphasis on message. And even one article about his songs and heavily criticizing his musical style has dubbed Soulja Boy the “Nickelback of hip hop”. 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 “Shootout”, 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 Cisco’s Urban Legend mixtape, Ice-T criticized Soulja Boy for “killing hip-hop” and his song “Crank That” for being “garbage” 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-T’s 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 Boy’s reaction in which he neglected to offer an apology while reiterating his belief that Soula Boy’s music was “garbage”. 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 “overrated,” prompting James to say that he wouldn’t return the insult, as that would be “almost like Jay-Z [responding to a negative comment] made by Soulja Boy.” 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.
Cut Dat Check
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Suede)
They tried to ask me why I ain't on the Millennium Tour
They ain't got that bag, man, they gotta cut that check for Young Draco, yeah
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my M's, I need my M's
I need my check, I need my check (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my check, I need my check (Draco, yeah)
I need my M's, I need my M's
I need my check, I need my check (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Cut that check, yeah, VVS my neck, yeah
She so wet, I just jumped off the jet
Pretty boy flex (ay)
Pretty boy drip (ay)
Walk up in the club with that stick up on my hip (yeah)
They call me young Draco, they call me Big Soulja
I put 50 bricks in a new Range Rover
I ride 'round town, drop top Lambo'
Two choppers on me, I'm feeling like Rambo
Cut that check, pull up and flex
Ice all on my neck
I bought a private jet
I flex and finesse
Four mil' on Instagram
Drop the top in that Lamb', I'm 'bout to go H.A.M
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check (woo, woo)
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my M's, I need my M's
I need my check, I need my check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my check, I need my check (yeah, yeah, Draco)
I need my M's
I need my check, I need my check
Ay, pull up in a Bentley, swagger of the century
Young Draco, I be fresher than a penny
Money on me everyday, you already know it
Pull up to the strip club and 50K, I blow it
Whipping that dope in a microwave, whipping that dope on a stove
Turn my drip on
Lean in the Styrofoam
Walk in the club and I pour up a four
Shout out the 1, you know that's my zone
Yeah, jewelry on me so cold, girl blowing up my phone
And I just jumped off the jet, yeah, ay
I just told that girl, "Cut a check," yeah, ay
I just pull up and flex, yeah, ay
VVS on my necklace
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check (woo)
I need my check, I need my check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my M's, my M's
I need my check, me check (my percentages)
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
Cut that check, cut that check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my check, I need my check
I need my M's, I need my M's
I need my check, I need my check
Cut that check, cut that check (yeah)
Cut that check, cut that check (bitch, bitch)
Cut that check, cut that check (drip)
Cut that check, cut that check (drip)
I need my check, I need my check (2019 is my year, nigga)
I need my check, I need my check (yeah, yeah)
I need my M's, I need my M's (skrt)
I need my check, my check (Draco)
In Soulja Boy's “Cut Dat Check” song, he is demanding that he be given his money for his work. Throughout the lyrics, he is insistent that he receives his payment, wanting to be paid via a check for his hard work, and that he is not going to perform for free. He is directing the lyrics at those who have asked him why he is not on a tour, seemingly questioning why he is not participating. He believes that he deserves to be on the tour and wants to be included, but only if the right financial compensation is given to him. The song also includes Soulja Boy boasting about his accomplishments and wealth, leading up to his assertion that he will not settle for anything less than the payment he deserves.
The subtext of the song is a common issue in the music industry, as many creators feel undervalued and overworked by those who are more powerful than them. This shows a desire for artists to be compensated appropriately for their contributions to the industry. The repetition of the phrase “cut that check” throughout the song emphasizes its importance and serves as a reminder that as someone who has worked hard to achieve a level of success, Soulja Boy should not be overlooked or underpaid.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, cut that check, cousin
Pay me what you owe me, relative
They tried to ask me why I ain't on the Millennium Tour
I was not invited to the tour, and people are wondering why
They ain't got that bag, man, they gotta cut that check for Young Draco, yeah
They don't have enough money, so they need to pay me what I deserve
Cut that check, cut that check
Pay me now, pay me quick
I need my check, I need my check
I need the money I am owed, I need it now
I need my M's, I need my M's
I need millions of dollars, not just a few thousand
Cut that check, yeah, VVS my neck, yeah
I demand payment, and my necklace is worth a lot
She so wet, I just jumped off the jet
I flew in on a private jet, and a woman is waiting for me
I put 50 bricks in a new Range Rover
I bought a new car, and I can afford to fill it with drugs
Two choppers on me, I'm feeling like Rambo
I am carrying two guns, and I feel powerful like a movie character
Ice all on my neck
My necklace has a lot of diamonds on it
I bought a private jet
I own my own airplane
Four mil' on Instagram
I have four million followers on the social media platform Instagram
Drop the top in that Lamb', I'm 'bout to go H.A.M
I am about to drive my Lamborghini with the convertible top down, and I am going to have a good time
Ay, pull up in a Bentley, swagger of the century
I arrive in a luxurious car, and I am very confident
Money on me everyday, you already know it
I have money all the time, and people are aware of this
Pull up to the strip club and 50K, I blow it
I go to the strip club and spend fifty thousand dollars
Whipping that dope in a microwave, whipping that dope on a stove
I am cooking drugs at home, using both a microwave and a stove
Walk in the club and I pour up a four
When I arrive at the club, I make a drink with a cough syrup-based drug
I just told that girl, 'Cut a check,' yeah, ay
I told a woman she owes me money, and I want it now
I need my M's
I need a lot of money
2019 is my year, nigga
This year, I am going to be successful
Lyrics © SOULJA BOY TELLEM MUSIC
Written by: DeAndre Way
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@acherontia7417
Chudák nemá ani tušení, jaký meme nedopatřením vytvořil.
Zároveň je mi líto všech cizinců, kteří neví, co je to krteček a nedokáží tudíž docenit hluboký charakter této nádherné písně.
@heatherlanga7552
Yeah yall heard what he said. Take it in for a second, bask in it.
@thekensilva
Love him returning to his roots with this clear ass flow
@amorarmourvideos7868
Most inspiring impactful rapper of our time.
@moneyfeens1261
This a banger!! Don't understand why it hasn't blown up and people don't like it
@naz9934
What a time to be alive ... to witness this legend
@raymobettyboi9606
This shit go hard when that check hit that direct deposit 🔥
@maxreaper25
He somehow bring us back to 2005 every song
@flizzy657
Yeah and that old shit ain't gonna work
@AntVerson
https://youtu.be/CpLKAq_tlFw maxreaper25