Soulja Boy is an American rapper and record producer from Atlanta, Georgia, who gained popularity in 2007 with his hit single, Crank That (Soulja Boy).
He has since released ten studio albums, three compilation albums and over 70 mixtapes.
Soulja Boy has also ventured into acting, with roles in the Juice remake, Officer Down, and upcoming appearances in ATL and a movie with Machine Gun Kelly.
In addition to his music and acting career, Soulja Boy has been involved in various business ventures, including a deal with World Poker Fund Holdings and the release of a video game console called the SouljaGame.
However, he has faced criticism for his behavior on reality TV shows and social media, as well as for his involvement in controversies such as taunting a fellow Atlanta rapper after his death and a domestic violence case.
Net worth | $5 million |
Date of birth | July 28, 1990 |
Profession | Rapper |
Nationality | American |
Background
Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 28, 1990.
He moved to Atlanta at the age of six and later to Batesville, Mississippi, at the age of 14, where his father provided him with a recording studio.
Soulja Boy’s musical career began in 2004 when he started promoting his music online and established his own record label, Stacks on Deck Entertainment.
His debut single, Crank That (Soulja Boy), became a massive hit, peaking at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks.
Soulja Boy’s parents are Tracy and Carlisa Way.
He has an elder brother and a younger brother, Deion Jenkins, who tragically passed away in a car crash in 2011.
Soulja Boy has been open about his strained relationship with his mother, Carlisa Way.
In 2017, he accused her of spending all the money he gave her and called her a ‘crackhead’.
His mother and brother, John Way, responded by calling him out publicly and releasing a diss track called Overdue.
Net worth
Soulja Boy has a net worth of $5 million.
He made his fortune primarily through his music career, which began with the release of his debut single, Crank That (Soulja Boy), in 2007.
The song became a massive hit, inspiring a dance craze and topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven non-consecutive weeks.
It sold over two million copies of its ringtone, making it one of the first songs to achieve such success.
Soulja Boy’s subsequent albums, such as iSouljaBoyTellem (2008) and The DeAndre Way (2010), didn’t reach the same commercial heights as his debut, but they did produce some notable tracks.
He continued to be recognized for his catchy hooks and self-produced beats, maintaining a presence in the music charts.
In addition to his music, Soulja Boy ventured into other business endeavors, including fashion and technology.
He launched his own clothing line and experimented with digital and social media platforms to promote his music and personal brand.
In 2011, there were rumors of him purchasing a $55 million private jet, but these were later debunked.
Soulja Boy has also invested in various business ventures, such as a soap company, a video game console line, and a cannabis brand called Soulja Exotics™.
He has also released NFTs and earned “a few hundred thousand dollars” in the process.
Private jet
The claim that Soulja Boy purchased a $55 million private jet for his 21st birthday has been debunked.
In 2011, Soulja Boy and several members of his inner circle perpetuated the lie about purchasing a G5 jet, with Soulja himself telling TMZ that he bought it.
However, a spokesperson for Soulja Boy later issued a statement saying the rumors were not true.
In 2022, it was revealed that Soulja Boy had partnered with a private jet company and chartered a private plane around the world, but he had not purchased the aircraft.
Therefore, Soulja Boy never owned a private jet, and the claim was a fabrication.
Real estate
Soulja Boy owns several notable real estate properties and houses.
InCedar Rapids, Iowa, a real estate listing featuring Soulja Boy’s involvement caught the attention of social media users.
However, this property was not owned by Soulja Boy but was a listing that featured his name.
Soulja Boy’s property in Los Angeles, California, was legally seized, as reported by FOX 11 Los Angeles.
Despite this, the rapper, dancer, and record producer owns a luxurious mansion in Los Angeles, which has been featured on Google Maps.
This mansion is surrounded by lush greenery and offers breathtaking views, showcasing Soulja Boy’s pursuit of greatness.
Furthermore, Soulja Boy purchased a new mansion in California, paying for it in cash, as shown in a YouTube video posted in July 2021.
Career
Soulja Boy gained fame in 2007 with his self-released debut single, Crank That, which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks.
This success led to the release of his first studio album, Souljaboytellem.com, in the same year, reaching number four on the Billboard 200 chart.
Despite mixed critical reviews, the album produced hits like Yahhh! and showcased his distinctive style and digital marketing strategies.
Soulja Boy is recognized for his innovative use of social media and digital platforms to promote his music and brand.
Beyond music, he has diversified into various business ventures, including video game development, record production and establishing his own record label, Stacks on Deck Entertainment.
Soulja Boy’s career has been characterized by achievements and controversies, solidifying his position as a significant figure in the music industry, known for his entrepreneurial drive and impact on the rap genre.
Music style
Soulja Boy is a pioneering figure in modern rap music, known for his innovative use of the Internet and social media to promote his music and build his brand.
His musical style is characterized by its eclectic vision of hip-hop, which alternates between hazy, hard-hitting beats and catchy melodies.
Soulja Boy is known for his ability to solve problems that most people don’t even realize they have, showcasing his natural intelligence and charisma in his music and public persona.
Despite his success, he has faced criticism for his reliance on gimmickry and publicity stunts, which some argue have overshadowed his musical talent.
However, Soulja Boy’s influence on hip-hop is undeniable, with many successful artists citing him as a major influence and inspiration.
He has worked with a wide range of artists, from Lil B and Odd Future to Lil Wayne and Drake, and has been credited with helping to pave the way for future microgenres like ringtone rap, bop music, cloud rap, trap rap and Vine rap.
Soulja Boy’s legacy in hip-hop is solid, and he remains a significant figure in the genre’s ongoing evolution.
Record label
In 2004, while signed to Interscope and Collipark, Soulja Boy founded his record label, Stacks on Deck Entertainment (SODMG).
He has signed various artists to the label, including Lil 100 and 24hrs in 2019.
However, Soulja Boy has also dropped artists from the label, such as in May 2016 when he announced that all artists signed to SODMG had been dropped.
His discography includes several studio albums, such as souljaboytellem.com (2007), iSouljaBoyTellem (2008), The DeAndre Way (2010) and Super Dope (2014), among others.
He has also released various EPs and mixtapes.
In 2021, Soulja Boy signed Chet Hanks to SODMG Records as the first rapper signed that year, marking a significant moment in his career and the label’s history.
Awards and accolades
Soulja Boy has been recognized with several awards throughout his career.
He has won awards such as BET Hip Hop Awards, Ozone Awards, and Teen Choice Awards.
In 2008, Soulja Boy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song with Crank That (Soulja Boy).
He lost the award to Kanye West’s and T-Pain’s Good Life.
In addition to his music career, Soulja Boy has also ventured into other areas.
He has appeared in publications such as XXL Magazine and has given interviews discussing his music and personal life.
Soulja Boy has released a memoir titled, Teenage Millionaire: The Story of Soulja Boy.
He has also collaborated with popular brands, such as Nike and Supra, to release limited-edition shoe collaborations.
Soulja Boy has a strong presence on streaming platforms, with his music earning millions of streams.
He has a close relationship with his fans, often interacting with them through meet and greets, fan events, and social media interactions.
Soulja Boy has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, such as donating to charities and supporting educational programs.
Controversies
Soulja Boy has been involved in several controversies, including legal issues and accusations of sexual assault and battery.
In 2011, Soulja Boy’s younger brother, Deion Jenkins, was killed in a car crash.
In 2013, he announced and confirmed that he was guest-starring in the upcoming movie, Officer Down.
In 2016, he signed a deal from World Poker Fund Holdings for five years, with a cap of $400 million.
In December 2018, Soulja Boy released a video game console called the SouljaGame, which drew criticism for being an “overpriced” emulator of Nintendo and Sega handheld games.
On December 15, 2018, he announced the release of two more consoles, the Retro SouljaBoy Mini and the SouljaGame Fuze, but later pulled them off his store amid threats of a lawsuit from Nintendo.
In January 2019, Soulja Boy was sued by his former personal assistant, who accused him of locking her in a room for three days and repeatedly raping her, physically and verbally abusing her and withholding payment from her.
Soulja Boy denied the allegations, stating that he would not beat a woman or put his hands on a woman.
The lawsuit also claimed that the woman began working for Soulja Boy in 2018 and that they developed a romantic relationship in January 2019, with the abuse beginning the following month and continuing until August 2020.
In 2019, Soulja Boy was sentenced to eight months in prison for violating probation stemming from weapons possession charges.
In 2021, an ex-girlfriend sued he alleging assault and battery and false imprisonment.
In 2023, Soulja Boy was ordered to pay nearly a quarter million dollars after being sued by his ex-girlfriend for abuse and kidnapping in 2019.
These controversies have had a significant impact on Soulja Boy’s career and personal life, and he has faced legal consequences for his actions.
Personal life
Soulja Boy is currently in a relationship with Jackilyn Martinez.
The couple has a son together, KeAndre, also known as Lil Soulja, who was born in 2022.
Soulja Boy announced the birth of his son and shared a picture of him on Instagram, giving him the nickname ‘Lil Soulja’.
Jackilyn also shared pictures from her birthday celebration, which coincided with the birth of her son.
The couple announced their pregnancy in March 2022, with Soulja Boy sharing a video of their gender reveal party on Instagram.
He has been in an on-off relationship with Aliyah Hayes for over a decade, but she was blindsided by the news of his relationship with Jackilyn and the birth of their child.
Soulja Boy has expressed his desire to have another child, seeking out a new baby mother.
Legal issues
Soulja Boy has been involved in various legal issues and arrests throughout his career.
In 2011, he was arrested for felony possession of drugs and weapons after police discovered firearms and marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
In 2014, he was convicted for a firearm-related charge and was placed on probation, which was extended in 2017 after an additional conviction for firearm possession.
The terms of his probation bar him from possessing guns or ammunition.
In March 2019, Soulja Boy was arrested for a probation violation after police found ammunition at his Los Angeles-area home while executing a search warrant in response to a woman’s claim that she was held hostage in his garage.
He was booked at the Van Nuys Jail and faced a court hearing for his alleged probation violation on March 29.
In April 2019, Soulja Boy was ordered to pay $471,900 in compensatory damages and an additional $236,000 in punitive damages for an overall amount of $707,900 in an assault and kidnapping lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Myers.