Soulja Boy

DeAndre Cortez Way, known professionally as Soulja Boy, is an American rapper and record producer who revolutionized how artists break into the music industry. Born July 28, 1990, in Chicago, he became the first artist to parlay viral internet success into a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single with his 2007 debut "Crank That (Soulja Boy)." That song spent seven non-consecutive weeks atop the chart and spawned a worldwide dance craze, making him a household name at just 17 years old.

Soulja Boy's influence extends beyond his chart records. He is widely credited as a pioneer of DIY internet marketing, using MySpace and YouTube to bypass traditional label gatekeepers. His debut album Souljaboytellem.com peaked at number four on the Billboard 200, and his follow-up iSouljaBoyTellem produced two more top-20 hits. In 2010, Forbes ranked him 18th on its Hip-Hop Cash Kings list with $7 million earned that year.

Though his commercial peak was in the late 2000s, Soulja Boy remains a relevant figure in hip-hop culture. He has released dozens of mixtapes and independent albums, launched business ventures including a clothing line and cryptocurrency, and sparked viral moments through social media feuds. In 2018, his "Crank That" dance was featured in the video game Fortnite, introducing him to a new generation. Fans appreciate his unapologetic confidence and his role as a trailblazer for the internet era of rap.[edit]

Soulja Boy was born in Chicago but moved to Atlanta as a child after his parents separated. His father, a high school security guard and church deacon, raised him with a strict hand. Growing up, DeAndre split his time between playing video games and making music. At age 14, he discovered he could produce beats using the PlayStation 2 game MTV Music Generator, a toy-like program that became his first studio.

He began uploading instrumentals to SoundClick, a early music-sharing site, where he built a small following. He attended high school in Atlanta but was later home-schooled to focus on music. In 2007, he recorded "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" using a Casio SK-1 keyboard and the same PlayStation 2 setup. He posted the song and its accompanying dance video to MySpace and YouTube. Within weeks, the video racked up millions of views, catching the attention of Atlanta DJs and eventually Interscope Records. That DIY viral moment was his breakthrough.[edit]

After signing with Collipark Music/Interscope in 2007, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" was re-released commercially and shot to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for seven weeks. The song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song. His debut album Souljaboytellem.com dropped later that year, peaking at number four on the Billboard 200 and selling over 1 million copies.

In 2008, he released his second album iSouljaBoyTellem, featuring the hits "Kiss Me thru the Phone" (with Sammie) and "Turn My Swag On," both top-20 singles. His third album The DeAndre Way (2010) underperformed, and he parted ways with Interscope in 2012. Since then, he has operated independently, releasing a steady stream of mixtapes and albums like Big Draco (2020).

In 2018, his career saw a resurgence when the "Crank That" dance was added to Fortnite, and he re-engaged with pop culture through high-profile Twitter feuds. In the 2020s, he became a vocal participant in the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud, releasing diss tracks. As of 2026, he continues to drop singles and promote his cryptocurrency and NFT ventures.[edit]

Soulja Boy's public persona is built on unapologetic confidence, flashy style, and a confrontational edge. He popularized "swag" culture in hip-hop, often sporting oversized jewelry, designer clothes, and sunglasses. His music videos and social media feed emphasize luxury and bravado. The media often labels him a one-hit-wonder, but his fans celebrate him as a pioneer of internet rap. His social media voice is highly reactive — he frequently engages in online feuds and responds to critics. The "Soulja Boy Army" is loyal and defensive of his legacy, while casual listeners remember him primarily for the "Crank That" dance.[edit]

Soulja Boy's audience is less a traditional fanbase and more a living archive of early internet culture, united by their participation in the viral mechanics he pioneered. Rather than a formalized club with an official name, his supporters are defined by their engagement with his specific brand of DIY entrepreneurship and meme-driven content, often rallying around his catchphrases and dance challenges rather than a structured identity. This unique dynamic allows him to maintain relevance through direct digital interaction, where fans act as amplifiers for his independent releases and business ventures like Drip Co., sustaining his cultural footprint long after his initial chart dominance. While no organized fan campaigns for billboards or chart pushes have been documented, the collective energy of this community drives the streaming numbers that keep tracks like "Kiss Me Thru The Phone" relevant decades later. According to iFANN's Global Fame Engine, Soulja Boy is currently evaluated but does not hold a placement in the published rankings, meaning he has no current numeric rank in the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific list. This absence of a score reflects a status outside the current top-tier hierarchy while acknowledging his enduring historical significance.[edit]

DeAndre Cortez Way crafted the beat for "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" using a Casio SK-1 keyboard and a PlayStation 2 game, showcasing his early hardware ingenuity. He is an avid gamer who has claimed professional status in Call of Duty and owns a massive collection of designer sneakers and clothing that he frequently displays on social media. His brief management deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation marked a significant industry connection. Beyond these established facts, a modern legend emerged when his track "Kiss Me Thru The Phone" officially joined Spotify's Billions Club in May 2026, proving nearly two decades of sustained commercial traction. Another story fans still retell involves his claim in April/May 2026 to be the first rapper to drop three projects in a single day, explicitly stating he surpassed Drake in speed. More recently, his announcement in June 2026 about creating an awards show to honor overlooked rappers has become part of his folklore, signaling a desire to reshape industry recognition systems from within.[edit]

Soulja Boy was born to parents who separated when he was young. He was raised primarily by his father, who worked as a high school security guard and served as a deacon at their local church in Atlanta. He has not publicly named his mother or siblings. As of 2026, Soulja Boy is single with no children and lives in Los Angeles. He has not shared details about pets or his current household.[edit]

Soulja Boy has collaborated with a range of artists including Sammie on the hit 'Kiss Me thru the Phone.' He signed rappers Lil B and Riff Raff to his label Stacks on Deck Entertainment. He has worked with T-Pain and maintains a friendship with Drake, with whom he has multiple songs. His early internet success paved the way for many independent artists.[edit]

Soulja Boy's dating history has been public and often tumultuous. He dated Nia Riley, daughter of rapper N.O.R.E., from 2011 to 2014; their on-and-off relationship was documented on Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood and ended amid allegations of infidelity and abuse. He briefly dated Blac Chyna in 2011 before her engagement to Tyga. In 2013, he was linked to model Eva Marcille, though the relationship was short. He had a rumored fling with Zoe Saldana in 2015, which she denied. He dated Yung Miami of City Girls in 2016 and Bhad Bhabie in 2018; both were brief. His longest recent relationship was with Jasmine Foxx from 2018 to 2020, which ended with her allegations of physical abuse. As of 2026, Soulja Boy is single and focused on his career.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Soulja Boy's estimated net worth is $5 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects a decline from his peak in the late 2000s and early 2010s. His primary income sources include streaming royalties from his catalog, especially "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" and "Kiss Me thru the Phone," which have over 1 billion combined YouTube views. He also earns from independent album sales through his label Stacks on Deck Entertainment. Business ventures have been mixed. His attempts to launch video game consoles, the SouljaGame Handheld and SouljaGame Console in 2014, were widely criticized as low-quality emulators and generated little profit. More recently, he has ventured into cryptocurrency and NFTs, launching his own "Soulja Boy" token. He also operates a clothing line called Draco. Social media sponsorships and brand partnerships contribute additional income. Though his net worth is modest compared to his peak, he remains financially active through consistent music releases and online engagement.[edit]