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.
We Dem 30/30 Boyz
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, Dem 30/30 Boyz, Soulja Boy and Arab
We got somthin new for y'all
When a motherfucka be in your face
Just on your nerves, talkin shit
And you just don't wanna hear it
Just be like "Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!"
(Hey, SoulJa Boy, can I get your autograph?) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
(Yo, Arab, I really like you, man) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
(Are there any 30 boyz that---) Yah, Yah, Bitch, Yah Yahhh!
(Yeah, I was wonderin, can I be on your next---) Yahhh, Yahhh, Bitch!
[Hook]
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face (Yahhh!)
[Verse 1]
Let me tell you about the life
And how you live when you is a star
Every single place you go
The people run up to your car
Everybody wants to talk, and everybody wants to jive
Everybody wants a handshake, or want a high five
And these ugly girls always got a friend
That wants to talk to you
(Bitch, Yahhh, Yahhh, Trick)
(And your friend, Yahhh, Yahhh Too!)
Ain't got time for chitchat
I'm tryin to get this money
So get up out my face
You shit-breath dummy
[Chorus]
(Hey, SoulJa Boy, can I get your autograph?) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
(Yo, Arab, I really like you, man) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
(Are there any 30 boyz that---) Yah, Yah, Bitch, Yah Yahhh!
(Yeah, I was wonderin, can I be on your next---) Yahhh, Yahhh, Bitch!
[Hook]
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face (Yahhh!)
[Verse 2]
Dawg, get out my face, Im startin to get mad
Walkin up
(Soulja Boy, Can I have your autograph?) Bitch, Yahhh, Bitch!
Leave me alone, let me get some peace
I'm sittin at the house and a nigga can't sleep
Leave me alone ho, before I have to knock your ass out
(Hey Soulja Boy, when that new 30/30 boyz cd coming out?)
Bitch, Yahhh, Bitch!
Bitch, Yahhh, Bitch!
Bitch, Yahhh, Ya, Yah, Ya, Yahh, Ya, Bitch
[Chorus]
(Hey, SoulJa Boy, can I get your autograph?) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
(Yo, Arab, I really like you, man) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
(Are there any 30 boyz that---) Yah, Yah, Bitch, Yah Yahhh!
(Yeah, I was wonderin, can I be on your next---) Yahhh, Yahhh, Bitch!
[Hook]
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face, ho!
Get out my face (Yahhh!)
[Talking]
Hey Soulja Boy, Wassup Man? Soulja Boyyy! Yeah, you like that?
We keep it crunk like that! Hey, man, you gonna let me get on this cd?
Man, come on, man, I got some bumpin stuff back at the---
Hey, Hey, Hey Araaab! Yeah You know I know that stuff "Watch My, Put It in da Chain"
Hey Soulja Boy, man, both of yall just listen, man, hey, man don't turn around
Hey, man, listen! Hey, look, I just got to tell you somethin
'Cause look, man, I know a nigga in Chica-
(Yahhh Bitch, Ya Yahh, Ya Yah Yah, Ya Yah)
Laughing
(Yah---Laughing---Yahhhh, Bitch)
(Shut the fuck up, Bitch!)
(Yahhhh, goddamn, don't you get it?)
With Beat
(Yah)
(Ah)
(Ah)
(Yahhh)
Laughter
(Bitch, Ya Yahhh Bitch!)
"We Dem 30/30 Boyz" by Soulja Boy is a hip-hop song that talks about the life of being famous and how annoying it is to deal with fans who ask for autographs and incessantly bother you with pointless conversations. The song starts with a conversation between Soulja Boy and Arab, where they complain about people trying to talk to them and then proceed to tell them to leave them alone. The memorable and catchy chorus has become a popular catchphrase that people use when dealing with irritating individuals that won't leave them alone: "Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!"
The first verse delves into how celebrities live their lives, with people always wanting to talk to them or be their friends. The artist talks about not having time for chit-chat because he is solely focused on making money. The second verse emphasizes the need to be left alone when trying to get some sleep. The singer becomes increasingly annoyed when someone asks for an autograph and keeps bothering them even when they are trying to relax.
Overall, the song is about setting boundaries and telling people who are in your face to leave you alone. It also touches on the struggle of being a celebrity and the constant attention that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Dem 30/30 Boyz, Soulja Boy and Arab
Introduction to the song and artists
We got somthin new for y'all
Announcing the release of new music for fans
When a motherfucka be in your face
When someone is bothering you
Just on your nerves, talkin shit
Making rude comments and being annoying
And you just don't wanna hear it
When you're tired of listening to someone
Just be like "Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!"
Responding aggressively to the annoying person
(Hey, SoulJa Boy, can I get your autograph?) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
Fan asking for an autograph and the response
(Yo, Arab, I really like you, man) Yahhh, Bitch, Yahhh!
Fan expressing admiration and the response
(Are there any 30 boyz that---) Yah, Yah, Bitch, Yah Yahhh!
Asking about the group and the response
(Yeah, I was wonderin, can I be on your next---) Yahhh, Yahhh, Bitch!
Someone asking to be featured on a song and the response
Get out my face, ho!
Telling someone to leave you alone
Get out my face (Yahhh!)
Repeating the demand to leave
Let me tell you about the life
Reflecting on the life of a celebrity
And how you live when you is a star
Describing the lifestyle of a famous person
Every single place you go
Being recognized and approached everywhere
The people run up to your car
Describing fans' behavior around a celebrity
Everybody wants to talk, and everybody wants to jive
Fans wanting to interact and socialize
And these ugly girls always got a friend
Talking about persistent fans
That wants to talk to you (Bitch, Yahhh, Yahhh, Trick)
Using aggressive language to reject someone
(And your friend, Yahhh, Yahhh Too!)
Commenting on an annoying friend
Ain't got time for chitchat
Not wanting to waste time on small talk
I'm tryin to get this money
Focusing on making a profit through music
So get up out my face
Repeating the demand to leave
You shit-breath dummy
Insulting and demeaning the person
Dawg, get out my face, Im startin to get mad
Getting angrier and more frustrated with the person
Walkin up (Soulja Boy, Can I have your autograph?) Bitch, Yahhh, Bitch!
Fan interrupting and making a request, and the response
Leave me alone, let me get some peace
Asking for personal space and privacy
I'm sittin at the house and a nigga can't sleep
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to relax
Leave me alone ho, before I have to knock your ass out
Threatening violence to deter the person
(Hey Soulja Boy, when that new 30/30 boyz cd coming out?) Bitch, Yahhh, Bitch!
Asking about new music and the response
Bitch, Yahhh, Ya, Yah, Ya, Yahh, Ya, Bitch
Aggressively repeating the response
(Yeah, I was wonderin, can I be on your next---) Yahhh, Yahhh, Bitch!
Requesting to collaborate and the response
Hey Soulja Boy, Wassup Man?
Addressing Soulja Boy for a conversation
Soulja Boyyy! Yeah, you like that?
Being excited and impressed by Soulja Boy
We keep it crunk like that!
Referring to the music and the energy
Hey, man, you gonna let me get on this cd?
Asking for a feature on a song
Man, come on, man, I got some bumpin stuff back at the---
Trying to convince Soulja Boy to collaborate
Hey, Hey, Hey Araaab!
Addressing Arab for input
Yeah You know I know that stuff "Watch My, Put It in da Chain"
Talking about Arab's music
Hey Soulja Boy, man, both of yall just listen, man, hey, man don't turn around
Trying to get Soulja Boy's attention for an important message
Hey, man, listen! Hey, look, I just got to tell you somethin
Preparing to reveal something important
'Cause look, man, I know a nigga in Chica-
Interrupted before finishing the sentence
(Yahhh Bitch, Ya Yahh, Ya Yah Yah, Ya Yah)
Responding aggressively to the interruption
Laughing
Sound effect
(Yah---Laughing---Yahhhh, Bitch)
Laughing and repeating the response
(Shut the fuck up, Bitch!)
Insulting and telling the person to stop talking
(Yahhhh, goddamn, don't you get it?)
Expressing frustration and annoyance
With Beat (Yah) (Ah) (Yahhh) Laughter (Bitch, Ya Yahhh Bitch!)
A mix of sounds with aggressive language
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@guillermolopez1107
bring back these two living legends together real talk
@Kontekst
this was my shit back then, bumped this on PSP!!
@evelynbrown5727
why am i listening to this. i am about to graduate college. middle school leave me alone lol
@ProjectPayne_
Evelyn Brown facts! I listened to this in middle school on my iPod Nano walking home from school!
@lilstrap7041
Lol
@latinojuelz4942
lol, I'm 46 and had no clue Arab was snapping like that! lol
@mylestownsend4936
Definitely playing this for my 30th birthday
@TrueTrife
...Arab killed that shit, I remember this from the Soundclick days lol.
@Kontekst
this is probably the hardest song soulja and arab ever made
@currygoods
still bangs 2k19