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.
Touchdown
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just wrote a play n made a touchdown touchdown
A hundred racks a day that is a touchdown touchdown
Both hands up 'cause this a touchdown touchdown
Shawty get outta my way
Shawty get outta my way
Still? to that boy 12 points in ya face
Shawty get outta my way
Still? to that boy 12 points in ya face
Beezy go still for make it rich mane
Ridin' in my hummer 28 with a switch blame
Girls on yo boy because I swag just like?
N you know I got 12? call me weezy
Call up Antonio the simpset monster
I'm gon let my chain hang like lil b the based-god
25 on my wrist got em girls screamin' 'Hey: oh uh, can we get your autograph?"
I guess yea I'm ridin' in the back
Twenty inches on the check
N you know what's comin' next
Soulja tellem bout to flex
Girls bout to trip
On my whip
'Cause you know I flip whip
With that ice cake no kiss me on my neck ha
Swag touchdown touchdown
I just wrote a play n made a touchdown touchdown
A hundred racks a day that is a touchdown touchdown
Both hands up cuz this a touchdown touchdown
Shawty get outta my way
Shawty get outta my way
Still? to that boy 12 points in ya face
Shawty get outta my way
Shawty get outta my way
Still? to that boy 12 points in ya face
Girls know my name
2 pistols on me so I strut like max payne
Bout to make it rain
Tryna snatch my chain
Then that nine touch your brain
Rearrange your frame
N I rap like Gucci Mane
Ridin' in that van please tell me what is next
Back in the day I break a mile
Breakin' all the laws
Only the fools follow the rules
I was ridin' around my school
With a backpack plus a?
The choppaz will hit you fools if that boy disrespects
Man I'm swagged up with hella tattoos on my neck yea
Hella swagged up
See the Gucci stashed up
Make a nigga backup
Chop a flash if he act up
Swag touchdown touchdown
I just wrote a play n made a touchdown touchdown
A hundred racks a day that is a touchdown touchdown
Both hands up 'cause this a touchdown touchdown
Shawty get outta my way
Shawty get outta my way
Still? to that boy 12 points in ya face
Shawty get outta my way
Shawty get outta my way
Still? to that boy 12 points in ya face
In Soulja Boy's song "Touchdown", the rapper is pumped up about his success and is using football terminology to describe it. He's saying that he just made a big play and scored a touchdown, which is a major accomplishment in football. He also talks about making a lot of money, saying that earning a hundred thousand dollars a day is like scoring a touchdown. He talks about driving his Hummer and wearing expensive jewelry, indicating his wealth.
The lyrics also include some references to other rappers, such as Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane. Soulja Boy compares himself to Lil Wayne by saying that people call him "Weezy", Lil Wayne's nickname. He also references Gucci Mane when he says that he raps like him. Soulja Boy's lyrics are all about his swag, or the way he carries himself, and how he's not afraid to show off his wealth.
Overall, the song is an anthem for success and living a luxurious lifestyle. Soulja Boy is not shy about his wealth and is confident in his abilities to keep succeeding.
Line by Line Meaning
Swag touchdown touchdown
Feeling highly confident and successful, like scoring a touchdown in a football game
I just wrote a play n made a touchdown touchdown
Coming up with a strategy or plan that was successful, leading to a touchdown
A hundred racks a day that is a touchdown touchdown
Earning a large amount of money in a day, equivalent to scoring a touchdown
Both hands up 'cause this a touchdown touchdown
Celebrating the success and victory of scoring a touchdown, raising both hands up in the air
Shawty get outta my way
Asking someone to move aside or get out of the way so that he can continue his successful journey
Still? to that boy 12 points in ya face
Taunting and boasting to an opponent about scoring 12 points against him
Beezy go still for make it rich mane
Working hard and being still focused on getting rich and successful
Ridin' in my hummer 28 with a switch blame
Driving around in a big and luxurious car (Hummer) with a customized sound system
Girls on yo boy because I swag just like?
Girls are attracted to him because of his unique style and attitude
N you know I got 12? call me weezy
Referring to his success and comparing himself to Lil Wayne (who is known for his success and wealth)
Call up Antonio the simpset monster
Referring to a friend or associate named Antonio, who has the nickname 'simpset monster'
I'm gon let my chain hang like lil b the based-god
Showing off his expensive chain and comparing himself to a rapper named Lil B, who is known for his extravagant jewelry
25 on my wrist got em girls screamin' 'Hey: oh uh, can we get your autograph?
Wearing an expensive watch that attracts girls to him and asking for his autograph
I guess yea I'm ridin' in the back
Riding in luxury and comfort in the back seat of a car
Twenty inches on the check
Referring to his checking account balance, which has a large amount of money
N you know what's comin' next
Knowing that his success will continue and more good things are yet to come
Soulja tellem bout to flex
Boasting and flaunting his success and wealth
Girls bout to trip
Attracting attention from girls and causing them to be excited
On my whip
Referring to his car, which is a symbol of his success and wealth
'Cause you know I flip whip
Making money by buying and selling cars for a profit
With that ice cake no kiss me on my neck ha
Wearing expensive and flashy jewelry, such as a necklace, which attracts attention and admiration
Girls know my name
Having a reputation and being well-known among girls
2 pistols on me so I strut like max payne
Carrying two guns for protection and walking with confidence like a character from a video game
Bout to make it rain
Spending a lot of money and flaunting his wealth by throwing money in the air
Tryna snatch my chain
Having to protect his jewelry from people who may try to steal it
Then that nine touch your brain
Threatening someone who might try to steal from him with a gun
Rearrange your frame
Causing harm or damage, potentially even death, if someone messes with him
N I rap like Gucci Mane
Rapping with a similar style and cadence as Gucci Mane, who is known for his success as a rapper
Ridin' in that van please tell me what is next
Wondering what other great things are to come, while riding in a van, which may symbolize his success or journey
Back in the day I break a mile
Referring to his past where he used to take risks and do things that others wouldn't attempt
Breakin' all the laws
Not following the rules, which may have contributed to his success or reputation
Only the fools follow the rules
Believing that success comes from doing things your own way and not following the rules like everyone else
I was ridin' around my school
Driving around his school, which may symbolize his success and how far he has come
With a backpack plus a?
Carrying a backpack, which may symbolize his ambition and desire to succeed
The choppaz will hit you fools if that boy disrespects
Intimidating and threatening others with guns if they disrespect him or his success
Man I'm swagged up with hella tattoos on my neck yea
Feeling confident and successful, while having many tattoos on his neck, which may symbolize his unique style and attitude
Hella swagged up
Feeling highly confident and successful, while showcasing his unique style and attitude
See the Gucci stashed up
Showing off his expensive and flashy Gucci clothing
Make a nigga backup
Causing someone to back up or retreat, potentially out of fear or intimidation
Chop a flash if he act up
Threatening to use a gun on someone who acts out of line or disrespects him
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEANDRE WAY, RICARDO LAMARRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind