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.
Grammy
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What do you want from me
Because I've giving you everything
What do you need from me
Are you not happy with anything
Soulja Boy
Party like a rockstar
Hit em with?
Fast like a Nascar
Lyin' like my dash car
I deserve a Grammy
Will I fly away or land on Miami
I don't have time to rhyme
But I do have time to grind
SOD pirates I don't need a hook
My lyrics illustrated versus takin' from a book
I understand the fans
Supply and demand
Crunk and command
Fight and we'll stand
Lyrics from a true legion
Live a life to god blessings
Big papers long acres
Top flight no security
Black ice on me call a jury
Yeah trick yeah trick and we call it magic
My style may change you can call it drastic
Money so long? measures
I love my business and I love my pleasure
Live now dies later Internet genius
Self proclaimin' he for the fortunate of fame
He'll run through the rain
For a meanin' to change
Taking over the game
18 years old with a drop top phantom
Kidnap the world till they pay my ransom
Deandre way? tatted on my face
Four words to say
I deserve a grammy
Ester dean
What do you want from me
Cause I've giving you everything
What do you need from me
Are you not happy with anything
Is it not good enough
Am I not good enough
Have I not gave enough
What do you want from me
What do you want from me
In "Grammy," Soulja Boy and Ester Dean are reflecting on their success and questioning what more their audience could want from them. Ester Dean begins by asking what more she can do for her listeners as she has already given them everything she has. She then goes on to ask if they are not happy with anything despite her effort to fulfill their desires.
Soulja Boy joins in, celebrating his success by partying like a rockstar, moving fast like a Nascar, and telling his story through his lyrics, which he illustrates rather than taking from a book. He deserves to receive a Grammy for his hard work and the countless hours he has put into his craft. Soulja Boy recognizes the demand and supply nature of the music industry and asserts that he is in charge of the crunk, the command, and, most importantly, the loyalty of his supporters.
Dean comes back in, questioning her ability and efforts to satisfy her listeners, wondering if she is not good enough. Soulja Boy, on the other hand, exudes confidence, declaring his success and talent in the music industry, claiming powers over changing the game, and taking over the world. He repeats the four words, "I deserve a Grammy," emphasizing his belief that he has earned recognition for his work.
Overall, the song's lyrics illustrate Soulja Boy and Ester Dean's desire to be appreciated for their contributions to the music industry and the need to continuously work hard to gain their audience's satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you want from me
Asking for clarity as to what someone wants from me
Cause I've giving you everything
Implying that they have given their all and expect something in return
What do you need from me
Asking what else is required beyond what they have already provided
Are you not happy with anything
Questioning the other party's satisfaction despite all their efforts
Party like a rockstar
Encouraging having a wild time like a rockstar
Hit em with?
Unfinished sentence, possibly meaning to strike someone or something
Fast like a Nascar
Moving quickly like a race car
Lyin' like my dash car
Comparing the act of lying to the faulty speedometer of a car
I deserve a Grammy
Expressing the desire to be recognized for their music with a prestigious award
Will I fly away or land on Miami
Uncertainty about the future and whether they will succeed or fail
I don't have time to rhyme
Stating that they are too busy to focus on making their lyrics poetic
But I do have time to grind
Despite being too busy to focus on poetic lyricism, they still have time to work hard
SOD pirates I don't need a hook
Referring to their loyal fanbase and how their music speaks for itself without any gimmicks
My lyrics illustrated versus takin' from a book
Claiming that their lyrics are original and not taken from any existing works
I understand the fans
Acknowledging that they know what their fans want and strive to give them what they want
Supply and demand
Understanding the basic economics of the music industry
Crunk and command
Using their music to influence and lead their fans
Fight and we'll stand
Pledging to stand with their fans through tough times
Lyrics from a true legion
Describing their authenticity and the loyalty of their fanbase
Live a life to god blessings
Believing in leading a life guided by religious values
Big papers long acres
Boasting about their financial success and wealth
Top flight no security
Expressing their confidence and invincibility
Black ice on me call a jury
Possibly referring to jewelry decorated with black diamonds, which would attract unwanted attention
Yeah trick yeah trick and we call it magic
Referring to their talent and success as something magical
My style may change you can call it drastic
Acknowledging that their music may evolve over time and change drastically
Money so long measures
Suggesting that their financial success is immeasurable
I love my business and I love my pleasure
Enjoying both the creative process and the benefits that come with success
Live now dies later Internet genius
Believing in living in the present and achieving success through the internet
Self proclaimin' he for the fortunate of fame
Admitting that they seek fame and fortune for themselves
He'll run through the rain
Willing to face obstacles to achieve success
For a meanin' to change
Interested in using their success to create meaningful change
Taking over the game
Asserting their dominance and influence in the music industry
18 years old with a drop top phantom
Boasting about their age and luxury car
Kidnap the world till they pay my ransom
Using their music to capture the world's attention and make a lot of money
Deandre way? tatted on my face
Possibly referring to their own name tattooed on their face
Four words to say
Keeping their message simple and to the point
I deserve a grammy
Repeating their desire to be appreciated and rewarded for their work
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ESTHER DEAN, RICARDO LAMARE, DEANDRE WAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind