Soulja Boy
Biography
DeAndre Cortez Way, known professionally as Soulja Boy, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 28, 1990. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at a young age, where he developed an interest in rap music. At 14, he relocated to Batesville, Mississippi, with his father, who provided him with a recording studio to explore his musical ambitions.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Soulja Boy pioneered the use of the internet and social media to promote his music. In 2005, he began posting his songs on platforms like SoundClick, MySpace, and a fledgling YouTube. He cultivated an online fanbase by directly engaging with his audience, a novel approach at a time when the music industry was focused on physical CD sales.
His breakthrough came in 2007 with the release of "Crank That (Soulja Boy)." The self-produced song, created with a demo version of FL Studio, and its accompanying low-budget dance video went viral. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks and became the first song to sell over 3 million digital copies in the US. The massive success of the single led to a record deal with Interscope Records.
His debut studio album, "Souljaboytellem.com," was released in October 2007 and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200. The album also featured the single "Yahhh!". Soulja Boy's innovative use of the internet for promotion is widely credited with changing how artists market themselves and connect with fans.
Subsequent Career and Influence
Soulja Boy's second album, "iSouljaBoyTellem" (2008), featured the hit singles "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" and "Turn My Swag On." His third album, "The DeAndre Way" (2010), included the popular track "Pretty Boy Swag." After this album, he parted ways with Interscope to pursue an independent career.
Throughout his career, he has released numerous mixtapes and independent albums. Soulja Boy is recognized as a highly influential figure in modern hip-hop for pioneering online marketing strategies and a DIY approach to music production. He demonstrated that artists could achieve mainstream success without the traditional backing of a major label, paving the way for a new generation of "internet rappers."
Business Ventures
Beyond music, Soulja Boy has engaged in various entrepreneurial activities. In 2004, he founded his own record label, Stacks on Deck Entertainment (SODMG). He has also launched clothing lines, including S.O.D. Money Gang and BLVD Supply, and ventured into the tech world with products like the SouljaGame console. His business ventures also include a soap company and partnerships for other products like hookah pens.