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.
Pretty Boy Swag
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Soulja)
(Soulja)
(Soulja)
Soulja (Soulja)
Soulja (Soulja)
All the pretty girls stand up
(Pretty boys in the building)
This right here is my swag
All the girls are on me, damn
Every-body pay attention
This right here is my pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Girls on my dick when I pretty boy swag
Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Girls on my dick when I pretty boy swag
Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag
Soulja!
Get out the way
Pretty boy comin' through
Me and my crew we swaggin' in the room
Girls on my heavy 'cause I look so sexy
Yellow diamond shawty in the club straight flexin'
I'm lookin' for a yellow bone long haired star (star)
Thick in the hips come and get in my car (soulja)
You party with a star, we take off and go to mars
Pretty boy take off in 5.4.3.2.1
This right here is my swag
All the girls are on me, damn
Every-body pay attention
This right here is my pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Girls on my dick when I pretty boy swag
Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Girls on my dick when I pretty boy swag
Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag
I'm pretty boy swaggin' in the club I feel sexy, (no homo)
No homo shawty but my chest is straight flexin' (flexin')
Tatted on my neck, shawty said she choose me (choose me)
She got nice titties and a fat ass booty (booty)
Took her to my condo let the girl strip
Then she got naked then she pretty girl dipped (soulja)
Damn I like the way lil' mamma shake that ass
She pretty girl dancin' while I pretty boy swag
Goddamn!
This right here is my swag
All the girls are on me, damn
Every-body pay attention
This right here is my pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
Girls on my dick when I pretty boy swag
Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
Girls on my dick when I pretty boy swag
Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag
The lyrics of Soulja Boy's "Pretty Boy Swag" are an ode to the artist's self-proclaimed good looks and the allure that his appearance holds over women. The chorus is a call for all the attractive girls and boys to stand up and take notice of him, as he flaunts his "swag" and commands the attention of the room.
The verses of the song further emphasize Soulja Boy's confidence and swagger, as he boasts about his appearance and success with women. He compares himself to a star, and even hints at intergalactic travel, further emphasizing his larger-than-life persona.
However, the song is not just about Soulja Boy's ego. It also highlights the power dynamics at play in social situations, where attractiveness and confidence can give someone an advantage. The repeated mentions of girls being on his "dick" and screaming his name suggest that his physical appearance and "swag" have made him desirable to women.
Overall, "Pretty Boy Swag" is a classic example of a boastful hip-hop anthem, where the artist highlights their own success and attractiveness to prove their dominance in social situations.
Line by Line Meaning
All the pretty girls stand up
I am calling all the attractive girls to stand up.
All the pretty boys stand up
I am calling all the good-looking guys to stand up.
This right here is my swag
I am showing off my style and confidence.
All the girls are on me, damn
I am very attractive to women and they are all approaching me.
Every-body pay attention
I want everyone to notice my presence and my swag.
This right here is my pretty boy swag (aye!)
My swag is so unique and attractive that I have named it 'pretty boy swag'.
Pretty boy swag (aye!)
I am reminding everyone of the name of my unique, attractive swag.
Girls on my dick when I pretty boy swag
I become very popular and desirable to women when I exhibit my 'pretty boy swag'.
Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag
Women become so impressed with my unique swag that they start screaming my name.
Watch me pretty boy swag (aye!)
I want everyone to observe my unique swag and take note of it.
Get out the way
I am telling everyone to move aside to make way for myself and my crew.
Pretty boy comin' through
I am reminding everyone that I am a good-looking guy and they should make way for me.
Me and my crew we swaggin' in the room
My crew and I are exhibiting our unique, attractive swag in this room.
Girls on my heavy 'cause I look so sexy
Women are deeply attracted to me because I am very good-looking.
Yellow diamond shawty in the club straight flexin'
I am wearing a yellow diamond and showing it off while flexing.
I'm lookin' for a yellow bone long haired star (star)
I am in search of a light-skinned, long-haired woman who is a star in her own right.
Thick in the hips come and get in my car (soulja)
If there is a woman with a curvy figure, I want her to join me in my car.
You party with a star, we take off and go to mars
If you party with me you are in for a wild ride, and we may even venture to space.
Pretty boy take off in 5.4.3.2.1
I am about to show off my unique style in a big way, and everyone better be ready.
I'm pretty boy swaggin' in the club I feel sexy, (no homo)
I am exhibiting my unique style and feeling confident and attractive without being homosexual.
No homo shawty but my chest is straight flexin' (flexin')
I want to clarify that I am not gay, but I am showing off my well-defined chest.
Tatted on my neck, shawty said she choose me (choose me)
I have a tattoo on my neck and someone has chosen me as their preferred partner.
She got nice titties and a fat ass booty (booty)
The woman who has chosen me has a great body with large breasts and a curvy butt.
Took her to my condo let the girl strip
I brought her to my place and she proceeded to remove her clothing.
Then she got naked then she pretty girl dipped (soulja)
She fully stripped and performed a dance while I exhibited my unique style.
Damn I like the way lil' mamma shake that ass
I am very attracted to the way a young woman is moving her butt.
She pretty girl dancin' while I pretty boy swag
She is dancing in a beautiful way while I am exhibiting my unique style and confidence.
Goddamn!
I am expressing my amazement and excitement at the situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., IT'S A BIG E BEAT, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHADRON MOORE, DEANDRE WAY, DELRAY HOBSON, WILBERT MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jakebaker1051
The fact that Soulja has had like 4 different sections OF THE SAME SONG trending over a decade after it’s release is absurd
@keyboardwarria
he's the first rapper to have 4 different sections of the same song trending over a decade's release
@peluchinpower7255
DRRRRAAAAKEEEEEEEE
@garcel1251
@PeluchinPower damn! Bro u beat me!! I’m still gone post though 😂
@amber8
@PeluchinPower wait which song
@greatnesspersonified4273
What 4 parts?
@LuvvM4tt
This man self confidence was unmatched
@lenalee5939
Completely Unmatched 😂
@ugkcreations4895
We in 2022 and it's stlll unmatched coz he did stuff nobody thought of waaay back 😎
@user-nw8jh5lk7s
I agree!