Soulja Boy

DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), better known by his stage name Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, or simply Soulja Boy, is an American rapper and record producer.
In September 2007, his single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published on the internet, and it later became a number-one hit in the United States for seven non-consecutive weeks starting in September 2007. On August 17 Way was listed at #18 on the Forbes list of hip hop cash kings of 2010.
Way has currently released three studio albums and one independent album: his debut studio album Souljaboytellem.com (2007) was certified platinum by the RIAA. However, his next two albums, iSouljaBoyTellem (2008) and The DeAndre Way (2010) did not match the commercial success of his debut, the latter only selling 56,000 copies, despite the success of several singles across both albums, such as "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" and "Turn My Swag On" (iSouljaBoyTellem) and "Pretty Boy Swag" (The DeAndre Way), the latter later being certified gold by the RIAA.

Soulja Boy Tell'em - Crank That (Soulja Boy)


Soulja Boy Tell'em - Kiss Me Thru The Phone ft. Sammie


Soulja Boy - How To Crank That (twitter.com/souljaboy)

Soulja Boy Tell'em - Turn My Swag On


Soulja Boy Tell'em - Pretty Boy Swag


Soulja Boy: The Movie - Official Trailer






Early life

DeAndre Way was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at age six,[6] where he became interested in rap music.
Career beginnings

At age 14, he moved to Batesville, Mississippi, with his father, who provided a recording studio for Way to explore his musical ambitions.[6] Way founded his record label "Stacks on Deck Entertainment" in 2004. While Way was signed under Interscope and Collipark Music, he claimed that his label had distribution deals with Interscope, Universal Records, and Koch.[8] In November 2005, Way posted his songs on the website SoundClick. Following positive reviews on the site, he then established his own web pages on YouTube and MySpace.[9][10] In March 2007, he recorded "Crank That" and released his first independent album Unsigned & Still Major: Da Album Before da Album, followed by a low-budget video filmed demonstrating the "Crank That" dance. By the end of May 2007, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" received its first airplay and Way met with Mr. Collipark to sign a deal with Interscope Records.
Music career

2007-08: souljaboytellem.com


Soulja Boy performing "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" in February 2008.
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.[11] Way's major label debut album Souljaboytellem.com, which was reportedly recorded using just the demo version of FL Studio,[7][12] was released in the United States on October 2,[13] peaking at #4 on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[14]
For the 50th Grammy Awards, Way 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".
Souljaboytellem.com received a favorable review from Allmusic,[13] but received mainly negative reviews from other sources such as Entertainment Weekly.[15] Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating he will likely be a one-hit wonder.[16][17][18]
2008-09: iSouljaBoyTellem
The follow-up to souljaboytellem.com, iSouljaBoyTellem, was released on December 16, 2008, to negative critical reception.[19] The first single from the album, "Bird Walk", peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the top 20 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart it was performed on the first YouTube Live on November 22, 2008, with an introduction from MC Hammer.[20] "Kiss Me Thru the Phone", with Sammie, followed, peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.[21] Chris Brown was originally Way's first choice to sing the hook, but respectfully turned down the offer. Way then tried to do it on his own with Auto-Tune but he found it unacceptable.[22] It sold over 2,000,000 digital copies in the United States, becoming his second song to reach the two million mark in downloads.[23][24]
On January 26, 2009 Way released his third single "Turn My Swag On". it topped the US Rap Charts and peaked at #19 on the Hot 100. it has so far sold over 1,000,000 digital downloads in the US. It became Soulja Boy's third song to sell 1 million or more downloads.[25]
2009-present: The DeAndre Way
The DeAndre Way[26] is Way's third studio album, Way has stated that the album is intended to be his most personal and successful album thus far. When speaking on possible collaborations, he stated he wished to work with artists such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West,[27] Eminem,[28] among others. The lead single from the album, "POW", was released in January 2009 but failed to garner success and was dubbed a promo single. On October 30, 2009 Way released three mixtapes Paranormal Activity, Dat Piff & Cortez.[29] Then it was announced on February 18, 2010 that the first single from the album was gone be "All Black Everything" but it was cancelled & was just put on his promotional mixtape Legendary.[30] The album was titled "The DeAndre Way" but was changed in early 2010 to Dre with a commercial video snippet for "Do It Big" as the first single but it was cancelled as well.[31] However it was reverted back to The DeAndre Way in July 2010.
But on June 8, 2010, the official lead single from the album was "Pretty Boy Swag". The single has reached number thirty-four on the Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number five on the Billboard Rap Songs chart.[32] The album's second single was due to be "Digital" but it was just used on his promotional mixtape Best Rapper.[33] Then it was announced that "Speakers Going Hammer" was gone be the second single, but "Blowing Me Kisses" was released on August 31, 2010 as the second single instead.[34] On October 13 Soulja Boy performed "Pretty Boy Swag" & a snippet of his third single "Speakers Going Hammer". On October 19, 2010 Way finally released "Speakers Going Hammer" on iTunes the single peaked at #48 on the Hot R&B & Hip Hop tracks Billboard.[35] The DeAndre Way was released on November 30, 2010 it has so far has only sold 70,000 copies making this Way's lowest selling album. Soulja Boy was to be part of the Summerbeatz tour held in Australia alongside Flo Rida, Jay Sean and Travie McCoy in November 2010, but in lieu of his current album release date Soulja Boy had declined the offer & just embarked on his Who They Want tour.
On January 22, Way released his first mixtape of 2011 Smooky which cover featured a cartoon version of Way on a bicycle doing a 360.[36] Then On March 17, 2011 Way released the mixtape 1up which cover was based on the Naruto anime Way stated "If I was in a video game, this mixtape would advance me to the next level with an extra life. Power up with the new offering".[37] On April 20, 2011 Way released his mixtape Juice which cover was based on the Juice the movie Way stated he would also released a mini movie of his own to go along with the mixtape Way stated that he was headed to greatness with the mixtape.[38]
Musical style

Despite his commercial success, his music has been the subject of ridicule from his peers and critics.[39][40] Hip hop figures such as Method Man[41] have cited 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 music that discards rap's traditional emphasis on message.[42][43] Soulja Boy identifies his goal as making upbeat, party-themed music that avoids the negative, violent image that he sees in most hip-hop.[42][43]
Personal life

Legal issues
On December 9, 2007, Way was sued by William Lyons (a.k.a. Souljah Boy of Mo Thugs Family) who created the stage name "Souljah Boy" in 1996.[44]
On October 7, 2009, Way was arrested on one count of obstruction, a misdemeanor, for running from police when he'd been ordered to stop. The rapper was released on $550 bond.[45]
In May 2011, Way and his labels were sued by a local Pennsylvania promoter for failing to make promised payments in connection with a rescheduled concert.[46]
Victim of robbery and assault
On December 30, 2008, Way was robbed and assaulted in his home. Initial reports indicated that the robbers were six masked men with AK-47s and pistols but on December 31, 2008, video clips surfaced on the Internet of two masked men claiming sole credit for the crime.[47] Soulja Boy described the incident to MTV News a month later: He had come home very late at night after attending an album release party and was recording songs with friends when the robbers came in pointing their guns.[48]
Family tragedies
On March 22, 2011, Way's little brother Deion Jenkins was killed in a car crash on Sunday night.[49] Then on March 24, 2011 Way's older brother threatened to committ suicide.[50]
Controversy

Way's music has been banned from some school dances for sexual and violent content or innuendo. However, he has denied these claims.[51] In the original YouTube video for "Shootout", Soulja Boy demonstrates his dance while holding a handgun in each hand and pretending to shoot into the audience.[52] On August 24, 2010, a video was posted showing hip hop groupie Kat Stacks allegedly in Way's hotel room with a couple of ounces of cocaine.[53]
Nas
On February 25, 2008, Way said in an interview that "Nas killed hip hop and his own career".[54] Way later apologized for his comments.[55]
Ice-T
In June 2008, on DJ Cisco's Urban Legend mixtape, Ice-T told Way to "eat a dick" and criticized Way for "killing hip-hop" and his song "Crank That" for being "garbage" compared to the works of other hip-hop artists such as Rakim, Das EFX, Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube.[56] The two then traded videos back and forth over the Internet.[57] Rapper Kanye West defended Way by arguing that the younger artist created a new, original work for hip-hop, thus keeping the authentic meaning of the music.[58] The feud was parodied in a 2010 episode of The Boondocks.
Charles Hamilton
On December 9, 2008, Charles Hamilton commented in a interview by saying that Way was making it harder for new artists to be signed.[59] Way responded by saying "X out the Sonic and fuck with Mario, you might want to got damn eat a mushroom."[60][further explanation needed] Charles Hamilton responded with the diss song "Im You Last Year With Talent".[61] Then the diss song "Word Aight".[62]
Bow Wow
On February 2, 2009, Way challenged Bow Wow to a race in their Lamborghinis and claimed Bow Wow's Lamborghini was a rental.[63] On February 4, 2009 Bow Wow proved that he owned his Lamborghini and said "its halloween in Bankhead for you everyday nigga..you scared..you all nervous and shit". Way responded on twitter by saying "HE FUCKED UP!!!! IM BOUT TO SHITTTT ON THIS NIGGA!! LOL!!!!!".[64] On February 7, 2009 both artist sent diss songs to each other such as Way's "Fuck Bow Wow" & Bow Wow's "What I Think About You".[65] Later that day during a phone conversation both rappers settled their differences.[66]
Fabolous
On December 28, 2010, Fabolous during a radio interview commented on the claim that Way does cocaine, saying "pretty boy swag but never coke my nose though",[67] a reference to Way's song "Pretty Boy Swag" and a video of video model and popular groupie Kat Stacks video taping Way in a hotel room with cocaine. Soulja Boy went on a tirade[68] on Twitter in response, saying "I ignore dis foo like 5x before this. fuck that. If you send some niggaz to spray me @myfabolouslife at least I die I real nigga fuck you boy." 50 Cent also took to Twitter to say, "leave him the f*** alone before somebody get hurt." Way and Fabolous ended their beef on a radio interview.[69]
Discography

Main article: Soulja Boy discography
Studio albums
Souljaboytellem.com (2007)
iSouljaBoyTellem (2008)
The DeAndre Way (2010)
Tours

Americas Most Wanted (2009)
Who They Want (2011)
Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
2007 YouTube Live Himself Small Role
2008 What's at Stake?' Himself Small Role
2009 School Gyrls Himself Cameo
2010 Malice N Wonderland Soulja Small Role
2011 TBA TBA Main Role/Juice Remake
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Himself
Last Call with Carson Daly Himself
2008 Live with Regis Himself Minor appearance
Access Granted Himself For his music video for "Bird Walk"
2010 When I Was 17 Himself
The Mo'Nique Show Himself
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Himself
Lopez Tonight Himself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Himself
Awards and nominations

BET Awards
2007: Best New Artist (Nominated)
2008: Viewer's Choice Award: "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" (Nominated)
2009: Viewer's Choice Award: "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" (Nominated)
BET Hip-Hop Awards
'2007: Best Hip-Hop Dance (Won)'
Grammy Awards
2008: Best Rap Song: "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" (Nominated)
Ozone Awards
'2007: Patiently Waiting: Mississippi (Won)'
2008: Best Breakthrough Artist (Nominated)
2008: TJ's DJ's Tastemaker Award (Nominated)
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
2007: Favorite Male Singer (Nominated)
Teen Choice Awards
2009: Choice Music: Rap Artist (Nominated)
2009: Choice Music: R&B Track for "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" (Nominated)
2009: Choice Music: Hook Up for "Kiss Me Thru the Phone"
2009: Choice Music: Artist (Nominated)

Reference from Wikipedia.com