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.
You cant get like me
Soulja Boy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I aint gon tell dis yall
When he try 2 get like you
Brush that look at him
Be like naw you cant get like me
Nope you cant get like me
Soulja Boy on Deck
Grill in my mouth
Ice on my neck
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Bapes on my feet
Jays on his feet
Platinum on my neck
Gold in my teeth
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Fresh ta death on the scene
Fresh bapes and a ice grill
Stand to close to my chain
You bout to get a ice chill
Stay super clean
You gon respect my fresh
With some all white dickie pants
S on my chest
At the spot all the girls gon wild for yo boy
And uhh you can't get like me NOPE
Im Soulja Boy
Big diamonds in my ear
I know you like my way hoe
Check my bathing bapes
Mo color then a rainbow
Soulja Boy on Deck
Lil Rab on Deck
Grill in my mouth
Ice on my neck
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Bapes on my feet
Jays on his feet
Platinum on my neck
Gold in my teeth
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Step up on the scene and you know I got my jays on
Diamond cuts off in my grill and my stunna shades on
I do feel like no other UH UHH you can't get like me
And yall hataz talking stats but aint neva seen a G
Tell me what the business b why these girls be diggin me
Cuz I keep it gutta or bcuz my name lil R A B
Hit the club deep so yall hataz bet not act tonight
Open up my mouth in the dark and my grill shine like a flashnight
Soulja Boy on Deck
Lil Rab on Deck
Grill in my mouth
Ice on my neck
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Soulja boy the name you already know
I got stacks on deck
A big bank roll
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Bapes on my feet
Jays on his feet
Platinum on my neck
Gold in my teeth
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Soulja boy the name you already know
I got stacks on deck
A big bank roll
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Soulja boy the name you already know (soulja boy tell em)
I got stacks on deck
A big bank roll
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Soulja Boy on Deck
Lil Rab on Deck
Grill in my mouth
Ice on my neck
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Bapes on my feet
Jays on his feet
Platinum on my neck
Gold in my teeth
And uhh
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
Ey soulja boy
Yo whenever i see some one tryin to be like me
I just walk over and be like
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me NOPE
You can't get like me
In Soulja Boy's song "You Can't Get Like Me", he talks about how he stands out from the crowd with his unique style and demeanor. He declares that when someone tries to copy his style, he brushes them off and reminds them that they "can't get like [him]". He boasts about his designer clothing, including Bapes on his feet and platinum on his neck. He also mentions Lil Rab and how he keeps it "gutta". The song overall is an anthem to individuality and being confident in one's own style and identity.
Through his lyrics, Soulja Boy also hints at his success and wealth, with lines like "I got stacks on deck, a big bankroll". This reinforces the idea that he stands out from the crowd not just in style, but also in terms of his financial success. Additionally, his repetition of the phrase "you can't get like me" serves as a mantra for the listener to feel confident and unique.
Overall, the lyrics to "You Can't Get Like Me" are about Soulja Boy being an individual with a unique style and attitude, and the importance of staying true to oneself rather than trying to imitate or copy others.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayyy Soulja boy on the track shawty
The artist Soulja Boy is present and about to perform a song.
I aint gon tell dis yall
There is information about to be shared but it won't be explicitly stated.
When he try 2 get like you
When someone attempts to imitate or replicate the style of the artist or the lifestyle he exudes.
Brush that look at him
Dismiss the imitator by just a casual glance.
Be like naw you cant get like me
Reiterate to the imitator that their efforts are futile and they can never reach a level similar to the artist.
Nope you cant get like me
Confirming that the imitator will never be able to match the level of the artist.
Soulja Boy on Deck
The artist is ready to perform and show off his style and persona.
Lil Rab on Deck
Another person is present and ready to assist in the performance.
Grill in my mouth
The artist is wearing a dental accessory that is a symbol of status in popular culture.
Ice on my neck
The artist is wearing an expensive necklace made of diamonds or other precious jewels.
You can't get like me NOPE
The imitator is again reminded that they will never reach the level of the artist's style or status.
Bapes on my feet
The artist is wearing a popular brand of shoes called Bathing Ape.
Jays on his feet
The other person assisting the artist is wearing a popular brand of shoes called Air Jordans.
Platinum on my neck
The artist is wearing an expensive necklace made of platinum, a metal that conveys prestige and wealth.
Gold in my teeth
The artist is wearing accessories on his teeth made of gold that convey status and wealth.
Fresh ta death on the scene
The artist is newly arrived and looking fashionable and attractive.
Fresh bapes and a ice grill
The artist is wearing the Bathing Ape shoes and the aforementioned dental accessory to look fresh and stylish.
Stand to close to my chain
If the imitator stands close to the artist's necklace, they will feel a cold shiver - an indication of how expensive and valuable the necklace is.
You bout to get a ice chill
The imitator is warned that they are about to feel the cold shiver from standing too close to the artist's expensive necklace.
Stay super clean
Maintain hygiene and cleanliness to be respected by the artist and others.
You gon respect my fresh
The freshness and style of the artist should be respected by others.
With some all white dickie pants
The artist is wearing pants made by a brand called Dickies in the color white.
S on my chest
The artist is wearing a necklace with an expensive pendant shaped like the letter S.
At the spot all the girls gon wild for yo boy
In the place where the artist is, all the girls are attracted to him and are showing intense interest towards him.
Im Soulja Boy
Reiterating the artist's name to indicate that it is he who owns that reputation and level of success.
Big diamonds in my ear
The artist is wearing big diamond earrings as a status symbol.
I know you like my way hoe
The artist is confident that others will like and respect his style and persona.
Check my bathing bapes
Take a look at the shoes that the artist is wearing that are a symbol of status.
Mo color then a rainbow
The shoes have multiple, bright colors like a rainbow.
Step up on the scene and you know I got my jays on
As the artist enters the area, it is clear that he is wearing Air Jordan shoes.
Diamond cuts off in my grill and my stunna shades on
The artist is wearing a diamond studded dental accessory and sunglasses that convey status and wealth.
I do feel like no other UH UHH you can't get like me
The artist is confident that he unique and is impossible to replicate by the imitator.
And yall hataz talking stats but aint neva seen a G
People that are criticizing the artist have never seen someone with his wealth and success.
Tell me what the business b why these girls be diggin me
The artist is curious to know why women are attracted to him.
Cuz I keep it gutta or bcuz my name lil R A B
The artist thinks that his authenticity and reputation are the reasons why women like him.
Hit the club deep so yall hataz bet not act tonight
The artist is going out to a club with a large group of people and is warning his critics not to cause problems.
Open up my mouth in the dark and my grill shine like a flashnight
When the artist opens his mouth in the dark, the dental accessory he is wearing sparkles like a flashlight.
Ey soulja boy
As others approach the artist, they address him by name.
Yo whenever i see some one tryin to be like me
The singer is indicating that he has previously seen people trying to imitate the artist before.
I just walk over and be like
The artist simply approaches the imitator.
You can't get like me NOPE
The artist tells the imitator that they will never be able to match his style, status and success.
Contributed by Mackenzie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dude Idk
Man I remember my brother putting me on to this when I was in like the 5th grade and he was in high school. Crazy how fast time flies, song still a banger 🔥🔥
Kemera Richards
I miss the 2007 days
kuitlahuak rafael argumedo vera
Me too
Devil0027
Sad part is this was his coldest track and this was never on an album. That's either saying a lot or saying even worse lol
TylerPeacock
I don't think we'll ever know lol but soulja gave these kids the 🔑
TheoOJamaloO1
his coldest track was 2 milli
zoenicoletv
This song was so hard and chill at the same time.
Brandon Conforto
If you were living around Atlanta in 2006, this Soulja Boy track was the first big hit you heard from him. Not Crank dat
Buddy Johnson
Brandon Conforto BIG BIG FACTS BRO THIS SONG AND “DOO DOO HEAD” was already buzzing in Atlanta way before crank that 💯
Illuminati #sb
Miss the old times