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.
Stephen Curry
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry, swish
Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry, swish, swish
Stephen Curry, Stephen Curry, Steph Curry
Steph Curry
I'm stuntin' on 'em like I'm Stephen Curry
Steph Curry
Number 30
I was stuntin' on 'em, they wouldn't believe me
Shootin' 3's from half court, make it look easy
I'm the best point guard in the league
NBA
All day
I cross Lebron, shot a 3 in his face
Steph Curry, I be Curry with the shot boy
I be Chef Curry with pot boy
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry, swish
Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry, swish, swish
Stephen Curry, Stephen Curry, Steph Curry
Stephen Curry, Steph Curry, swish
Steph Curry
I'm stuntin' on 'em like I'm Stephen Curry
I know that they hate
Cause this dope nation
Golden state Warriors we made it
All we had to do was be some patience
So we been patient
And I done haters
Steph Curry pullin' up with a new drop
Steph Curry, make a half court jump shot
Hop up out the 'Rari with a lot of guap
I'm team Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry, swish
Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry, swish, swish
Stephen Curry, Stephen Curry, Steph Curry
Stephen Curry, Steph Curry, swish
Steph Curry
I'm stuntin' on 'em like I'm Stephen Curry
Aye, aye, aye, swish
Aye, aye, aye, aye
Aye, aye, aye, aye
Congratulations my boys
Keep doin' your thing boo
Know I'm a big fan, nigga
Congratulations my boys
Forreal
The lyrics to Soulja Boy's song "Stephen Curry" are a clear tribute to the famous basketball player, who is regarded as one of the best players in the NBA. The lyrics suggest that Soulja Boy feels like Stephen Curry and is "stuntin' on 'em like I'm Stephen Curry." He also talks about shooting threes from half court and making it look easy, which is a reference to Curry's impressive shooting skills. Soulja Boy also claims to be the best point guard in the league and crosses Lebron and shoots a three in his face. This is likely a nod to the intense rivalry between Curry and Lebron James, which has been going on for years.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feelin' like Stephen Curry
Soulja Boy is very confident in himself, feeling like the NBA player Stephen Curry.
swish
Soulja Boy feels like he is making every shot, like Stephen Curry.
I'm stuntin' on 'em like I'm Stephen Curry
Soulja Boy is showing off and impressing everyone like Stephen Curry often does on the basketball court.
Number 30
Stephen Curry's jersey number is 30.
Shootin' 3's from half court, make it look easy
Stephen Curry is known for making difficult 3-point shots look easy.
I'm the best point guard in the league
Soulja Boy believes he is the best in his field, just like Stephen Curry is considered one of the best point guards in the NBA.
NBA
The National Basketball Association, a professional basketball league that Stephen Curry and other NBA players are a part of.
I cross Lebron, shot a 3 in his face
Soulja Boy claims to have crossed over one of the NBA's greatest players, LeBron James, and then scored a 3-point shot in his face.
I be Curry with the shot boy
Soulja Boy is likening himself to Stephen Curry's impressive shooting ability.
I be Chef Curry with pot boy
Soulja Boy compares himself to Stephen Curry's cooking ability, using his nickname 'Chef Curry'.
I know that they hate
Soulja Boy understands that not everyone likes him, but he's still successful.
Cause this dope nation
Despite the hate, his music is still loved by many fans.
Golden state Warriors we made it
Soulja Boy is celebrating the success of the Golden State Warriors, the NBA team that Stephen Curry plays for.
All we had to do was be some patience
Soulja Boy suggests that waiting patiently is key to success, like the Warriors did in building their championship team.
I'm team Curry
Soulja Boy is declaring his support for Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Hop up out the 'Rari with a lot of guap
Soulja Boy is saying that he can afford to buy an expensive Ferrari sports car with his money.
Aye, aye, aye, swish
A celebratory exclamation representing the sound of the basketball going through the net, after a successful shot.
Congratulations my boys
Soulja Boy congratulates his friends on their success.
Keep doin' your thing boo
Soulja Boy encourages his friends to continue with their own careers and aspirations.
Know I'm a big fan, nigga
Soulja Boy expresses admiration towards his friends and assures them that he fully supports them.
Contributed by Madison J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@glo4039
Even Steph curry himself said he doesn't like it
@mattpilch3607
Tru
@bigsmokaa4494
That's why we're here😂😩 this shit Garbage, 10k dislikes and the 9k likes have been paid for
@uHMixahh
+Brandom Luis wheres the video where he said thaT?
@taylornicole206
+Avenue It's on Instagram
@fuckhowufeel504
+Avenue -__- you're on youtube shouldn't be that hard
@TheVirtualBomb
This song is actually really good
Happy April Fools Day everyone!
@johngivens2115
Lol
@Kgblastbdkchannel
Google the definition of "opinion". 🐸☕
@TheVirtualBomb
+Kgblast bdk Google the definition of "L"