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.
It Ain't Called Fo
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chourus {2x}
Yea you talk alot of shit but it aint called fo
You run yo mouth just like a snitch but it aint called fo
You be talkin in da streets but it aint called fo
You gone get yo ass beat now dats called fo
Verse 1 {soulja boy)
Man calm you ass down it aint called fo all dat bullshit i heard u got dat tool sittin on deck den lets pull it bitch heard you fake heard you think u great if u got dat ana on yo chest dont under estimate man runnin up on dis get knocked out jus like da click poppin off up at da mouth den ball up yo fuckin fists bumpin out da fuckin fram hatas luv to speak mi name wich dey had my rank but dey aint and dey no dey lame
Chourus {2x}
Yea you talk alot of shit but it aint called fo
You run yo mouth just like a snitch but it aint called fo
You be talkin in da streets but it aint called fo
You gone get yo ass beat now dats called fo
Verse 2
Cum here lil bitch u wanna get buck
You is a hoe i bet you wont knuck
Nigga u firin like u was gone scrap
You cum in my hood u fillin in da gat
All dat talkin like you is so core
Nigga you lame so u fellin da poor
You is a chump so you would get slapped
Fuck all dat shyt you fill in da gat
Blastin yo brain now you on yo back
Fuck wat you say yo scream and ill blast
You is a pussy you kno dats a lame
K.l.c hoe you think its a game
Me and my click we crunk off da chain
Dem hollow tip bullets dat go thro yo brain
Im that blue you kno dats true
Cant fuck wit my click you know you will loose
Chourus {2x}
Yea you talk alot of shit but it aint called fo
You run yo mouth just like a snitch but it aint called fo
You be talkin in da streets but it aint called fo
You gone get yo ass beat now dats called fo
The lyrics to Soulja Boy's song "It Ain't Called Fo" describe the consequences of talking too much trash in the streets. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes that talking too much may cause someone to get beat up, but that getting beat up is only called for when someone has crossed a line. The verses are directed at someone specifically, calling them out for allegedly being fake and thinking they're great. Soulja Boy warns them to be cautious and not underestimate him. He also says that those who speak his name are only doing so because they wish they had his rank, but that they are lame. The second verse is more aggressive, with Soulja Boy challenging someone to fight and threatening to shoot them if they get out of hand. He also insults them by calling them a "lame" and a "chump," and asserts that his crew is the best and cannot be beaten.
This song taps into the idea of street credibility and the importance of not talking too much or pretending to be someone you're not. Soulja Boy seems to be calling out someone who is not genuine and is talking too much trash, possibly for attention or to prove themselves. His message is clear: if you want street respect, you have to earn it through actions, not words. The song also reinforces the idea that violence is only acceptable in certain situations and as a last resort.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea you talk alot of shit but it aint called fo
You say a lot of offensive things, but it's not necessary
You run yo mouth just like a snitch but it aint called fo
You talk like a snitch, but it's not needed
You be talkin in da streets but it aint called fo
You spread rumors around the town but it's not necessary
You gone get yo ass beat now dats called fo
You will receive a physical beating as it's now necessary
Man calm you ass down it aint called fo all dat bullshit i heard u got dat tool sittin on deck den lets pull it bitch heard you fake heard you think u great if u got dat ana on yo chest dont under estimate man runnin up on dis get knocked out jus like da click poppin off up at da mouth den ball up yo fuckin fists bumpin out da fuckin fram hatas luv to speak mi name wich dey had my rank but dey aint and dey no dey lame
Calm down, don't create unnecessary drama. I heard that you have a weapon, then let's use it. You may be overconfident with your Anaconda chest tattoo, but don't underestimate me. You'll get knocked out if you come near us. Your insults are just like your empty fists. Haters love talking about me, but they can't reach my level.
Cum here lil bitch u wanna get buck
Come here, coward, you want to fight
You is a hoe i bet you wont knuck
You're a coward, I bet you won't fight
Nigga u firin like u was gone scrap
You're acting tough like you want to fight
You cum in my hood u fillin in da gat
You're coming into my territory with a gun
All dat talkin like you is so core
You talk like a gangster, but you're not
Nigga you lame so u fellin da poor
You're a loser, and your pride is too low
You is a chump so you would get slapped
You're a fool, so you will be slapped
Fuck all dat shyt you fill in da gat
You can put your gun away
Blastin yo brain now you on yo back
I'll shoot you and you'll fall
Fuck wat you say yo scream and ill blast
I don't care what you say, I'll shoot you
You is a pussy you kno dats a lame
You're a coward, and that's pathetic
K.l.c hoe you think its a game
Don't underestimate me and my crew
Me and my click we crunk off da chain
Me and my crew are becoming crazy and uncontrollable
Dem hollow tip bullets dat go thro yo brain
I have hollow-tip bullets that can pierce your brain
Im that blue you kno dats true
I belong to the gang known as the Crips
Cant fuck wit my click you know you will loose
You can't mess with my crew, you know you'll lose
Contributed by Christian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mr.Neptune
yea Soulja Boy was ahead of his time and they ain't even know it, all these beats today sound familiar to the ones today, but big UPS to SODMG!!
Logan Wiltshire
@Reggaeton Old School & Trap🇪🇨 this comment 8 years old lmfao
Reggaeton Old School & Trap🇪🇨
Ahead of its time!? these beats were ahead on their time in 06. These beats today ain't sounding exactly like this
Dominick Toran
One of his best songs
HBIC_KAYKAY
this is when soulja boy was still an underground artist
imblunted nigguh
this goes hard
Dia M.
Dis da muthafucken shit!!!!
Rico Savage
Soulja the legend
?
no cap
AnimatedAaron
fuckin classic