DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990 in Chicago, Illinois), better known … Read Full Bio ↴DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name Soulja Boy Tell 'Em or simply Soulja Boy, is a Grammy-nominated rapper, dancer and producer. He shot to fame in September 2007, when his single “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” reached number one on the Billboard Top 100. He released his debut album, Unsigned & Still Major: Da Album Before da Album in 2007 and followed this with 2007’s souljaboytellem.com and 2008’s iSouljaBoyTellem. His fourth studio album, The DeAndre Way, was released on November 2010.

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.

Skating Rink
Soulja Boy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Soulja Boy & (A-Rab): Talking]
Ay A-Rab
(Wasup cuzo?)
Man we gotta hit da skatin' rink dis weekend dog (fareel!). Boy it's goin' down boy!
(Ay which one we goin' to Soulja Boy?)
Man I don't even know.

[Hook:]

Dem Girls On Deck (meet me at da skatin' rink)
We gotta jump fresh (meet me at da skatin' rink)
Put on ya new stunna'z (meet me at da skatin' rink)
We bout to get de'z girls' numba's (meet me at da skatin' rink)
Meet me at da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Meet me at da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Da skatin' rink (Ay!)
Meet me at da skatin' rink

[Verse 1: Soulja Boy]
I'm up at da skatin' rink, but I can't skate
Wit a hundred-dollar bill dat i'm gon' break
Yea, dey know it's Soulja Boy when dey look at my face
And when dey look at my feet
(I got, I got me some Bathin' Apes)
Me and A-Rab gettin' crunk cuz they playin' our music
All da girls walk up and all us start choosin'

I hit da dance floor, yeen yall hear my shirt
And we gon' do da dance (Oh!) To our beat

[Hook]

[Verse 2: A-Rab]
Yall hata's gettin' crunk up in da skatin' rink tonight
Mobin' wit my folks and macin' on dez girls, and startin' fights
Poppin' colla's, swingin' dolla's, let a fool run up
Man he betta be deep, or he gon' be outta luck
Yall hatin' cuz dez girls can't leave me alone
Rolla-Bladin', conversatin' wit my stunna shades on
Cleaner den a bar a soap
Fresher den some Bathin' Apes
Let me take off da 1's and throw on a pair of skates

[Hook]

I'm at da skatin' rink, just bought my ticket
Walk through the door, saw a couple fine (Hey!)
Soulja Boy gotta girl, A-Rab gotta cuz-n
Took her to da crib now we finna be (Hey!) [x2]

[Hook]

(Hey!, Hey!, Hey!) [while fades out]

Overall Meaning

In Soulja Boy's song "Skating Rink," he talks about going to the skating rink over the weekend and having a good time with his crew. They plan on meeting some girls and getting their numbers and putting on new stunna'z. Soulja Boy explains that although he can't skate, he still enjoys going to the rink and having fun with his friends. He talks about getting crunk and doing "the dance" to their beat.

A-Rab, Soulja Boy's friend, talks about his night at the skating rink, where he mingles with girls, pops collars, and starts fights with anyone who dares to challenge him. He's proud of his fresh outfit, which includes a pair of Bathin' Apes, and would even take off his sneakers to throw on a pair of skates. The song ends with them both meeting some fine girls and taking them home, making for a perfect night.

The song Skating Rink was released in 2007 and was a part of Soulja Boy's album, "Unsigned and Still Major: Da Album Before Da Album." It was produced by PrettyBoy Ronnie, and the lyrics and sound created a feeling of nostalgia for skating rinks of the past. For this reason, the song became popular in skating rinks across the United States.

Line by Line Meaning

Ay A-Rab
Soulja Boy addresses A-Rab, a friend of his.

(Wasup cuzo?)
A-Rab acknowledges Soulja Boy's call.

Man we gotta hit da skatin' rink dis weekend dog (fareel!). Boy it's goin' down boy!
Soulja Boy and A-Rab discuss their plan to visit the skating rink for the weekend, where something special is going to take place.

(Ay which one we goin' to Soulja Boy?)
A-Rab asks which skating rink they are going to visit.

Man I don't even know.
Soulja Boy is unsure which skating rink they are visiting.

Dem Girls On Deck (meet me at da skatin' rink)
Soulja Boy invites his female friends to meet him at the skating rink.

We gotta jump fresh (meet me at da skatin' rink)
Soulja Boy and his friends must dress nicely before heading to the skating rink.

Put on ya new stunna'z (meet me at da skatin' rink)
Soulja Boy tells his friends to wear their new sunglasses when they meet him at the skating rink.

We bout to get de'z girls' numba's (meet me at da skatin' rink)
Soulja Boy intends to get the phone numbers of the girls they will meet at the skating rink.

I'm up at da skatin' rink, but I can't skate
Soulja Boy is present at the skating rink but cannot skate.

Wit a hundred-dollar bill dat i'm gon' break
Soulja Boy intends to spend a hundred-dollar bill at the skating rink.

Yea, dey know it's Soulja Boy when dey look at my face
People recognize Soulja Boy from his face.

And when dey look at my feet (I got, I got me some Bathin' Apes)
Soulja Boy is wearing a pair of Bathing Apes on his feet.

Me and A-Rab gettin' crunk cuz they playin' our music
Soulja Boy and A-Rab are happy and excited because their music is being played at the skating rink.

All da girls walk up and all us start choosin'
Several girls approach Soulja Boy and A-Rab, and they begin to pick the ones they would like to socialize with.

I hit da dance floor, yeen yall hear my shirt
Soulja Boy steps on the dance floor and makes a loud noise.

And we gon' do da dance (Oh!) To our beat
Soulja Boy and his friends will perform their signature dance move to their beat.

Yall hata's gettin' crunk up in da skatin' rink tonight
Soulja Boy is aware that some people at the skating rink are hating on him and his friends.

Mobin' wit my folks and macin' on dez girls, and startin' fights
Soulja Boy and his friends are enjoying themselves, flirting with girls and sometimes starting fights.

Poppin' colla's, swingin' dolla's, let a fool run up
Soulja Boy and his friends are showing off by popping their collars, throwing money around, and daring anyone to challenge them.

Man he betta be deep, or he gon' be outta luck
Anyone who wants to confront Soulja Boy and his friends must be really strong, or they will be defeated.

Yall hatin' cuz dez girls can't leave me alone
Soulja Boy's detractors are envious because the girls they like are interested in him.

Rolla-Bladin', conversatin' wit my stunna shades on Cleaner den a bar a soap Fresher den some Bathin' Apes
A-Rab is skating and talking to others, looking sharp with a clean appearance and fresh Bathing Apes.

Let me take off da 1's and throw on a pair of skates
A-Rab decides to remove his shoes and swap them with skating shoes.

I'm at da skatin' rink, just bought my ticket
Soulja Boy has arrived at the skating rink and already purchased his admission ticket.

Walk through the door, saw a couple fine (Hey!)
Upon entering the skating rink, Soulja Boy notices a pair of attractive girls.

Soulja Boy gotta girl, A-Rab gotta cuz-n Took her to da crib now we finna be (Hey!) [x2]
Soulja Boy and A-Rab have each found a girl to socialize with, and plan to take them home.

(Hey!, Hey!, Hey!) [while fades out]
The song ends with a repetition of 'Hey' fading to silence.

Contributed by Evelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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