Welcome to the Hardcore Husky Forums. Folks who are well-known in Cyberland and not that dumb.
DJ EZ Rock dead
MikeDamone
Member Posts: 37,781
in Tug Tavern
Rob Base is still alive.
Comments
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Page semi-protected
Soulja Boy
Soulja Boy Tell 'Em on YouTube Live.jpg
Soulja Boy at YouTube Live in November 2008, doing his signature dance.
Background information
Birth name DeAndre Cortez Way[1][2]
Also known as Soulja Boy Tell 'Em
Born July 28, 1990 (age 23)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Origin Batesville, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupations Rapper, record producer, entrepreneur
Years active 2005–present
Labels SODMG (current)
Collipark, Interscope (former)
Associated acts Arab 2059, Birdman, Lil B, Mr. Collipark
Website thedeandreway.com
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, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur.
In September 2007, his single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" reached number one on the US 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.[3] On August 17 Way was listed at number 18 on the Forbes list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings of 2010 earning $7 million for that year.[4]
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 100,000 copies,[5] 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). This was mainly due to negotiation problems with Interscope Records which meant a limited amount of records were made available to the public.
As of 2011, Way has confirmed he is working on his fourth studio album, which will be released in 2014.[6]
Contents [show]
Early life
DeAndre Way was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at age six,[7] where he became interested in rap music.[8]
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.[7] 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.[citation needed]
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 US 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,[12][13] was released in the United States on October 2,[14] peaking at number four on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[15]
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,[14] but received mainly negative reviews from other sources such as Entertainment Weekly.[16] Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating he will likely be a one-hit wonder.[17][18][19]
2008–09: iSouljaBoyTellem
The follow-up to souljaboytellem.com, iSouljaBoyTellem, was released on December 16, 2008, to negative critical reception.[20] 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.[21] "Kiss Me Thru the Phone", with Sammie, followed, peaking at number three on the Hot 100 and number one on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.[22] 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.[23] It sold over 2,000,000 digital copies in the United States, becoming his second song to reach the two million mark in downloads.[24][25]
On January 26, 2009, Way released his third single "Turn My Swag On". it topped the US Rap Charts and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has so far[when?] sold more than 1,000,000 digital downloads in the United States. It became Soulja Boy's third song to sell 1 million or more downloads.[25]
2009–2010: 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 going to be "All Black Everything" but it was cancelled and 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 reverted 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 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number five on the 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 going to 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" and a snippet of his third single "Speakers Going Hammer". On October 19, 2010, Way finally released "Speakers Going Hammer" on iTunes with the single peaking at number 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B & Hip Hop Tracks.[35] The DeAndre Way was released on November 30, 2010, and has so far[when?] 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 and just embarked on his Who They Want tour.
2011–present: Various mixtapes, EP's & next album
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, stating: "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 film of the same name. Way stated he would also release a mini-movie of his own to go along with the mixtape, stating that he was headed to greatness with the mixtape.[38] On July 15, 2011, Way released his ep mixtape entitled Bernaurd Arnault EP (Limited Edition).[39] Then on August 1, 2012, Way released another ep mixtape entitled 21: EP.[40] Then on August 31, 2011, Way released the mixtape The Last Crown the cover of the mixtape is based on the artwork the Flammarion Engraving.[41][42] In September 2011, Way confirmed he is working on a new album, called Promise, which will be released in October.[43] Way also released the cover & title of his second independent album via Twitter, entitled Skate Boy, which he said would be available in stores November 1, also via Twitter.[44][45] On September 19, 2011, Way released the mixtape Supreme. It is known for Way going back to his old Pop Rap style.[46] On October 30, 2011 Skate Boy (Deluxe Edition) was released & turned out to be a mixtape & not an album.[47][48] On December 30, 2011, Way released another mixtape entitled Gold On Deck.[49]
Soulja Boy and Mr. Thug, Brazil 2013
On January 9, 2012, Way released another mixtape for the beginning year entitled 50/13 which cover was based on ASAP Rocky's mixtape cover Live. Love. ASAP.[50] On January 24, 2012, Way released a collaboration mixtape with his artist Young L entitled Mario & Domo vs. the World which cover was based on Super Mario Bros.[51] Then On March 23, 2012, Way released a mixtape entitled OBEY which featured his promotional single "Too Faded".[52][53][54] On June 3, 2012, Way talked about his upcoming album Promise and stated the reason he has put out so many mixtapes in the last two years because he feels like he has to put out a lot of music and be as creative as possible.[55] On June 11, 2012, Way released another collaboration mixtape with upcoming rapper Vinny Chase entitled Double Cup City.[56] On September 4, 2012, Way released a sequel mixtape to his mixtape Juice entitled Juice II, with it being known for Way going back to his old production style with the beginning lines "Soulja Boy Tell 'Em", it's also Way's most downloaded mixtape.[57] His nmixtape entitled Young & Flexin was released on November 6, 2012.[58] On December 25, 2012, Way released his mixtape LOUD, which he also for the first time distributed on iTunes.[59][60]
On February 22, 2013, Way released his first mixtape of the year entitled Foreign.[61] In March 2013 it was rumored that Way may be signing to Cash Money Records after getting a tattoo saying "Rich Gang" on his face, and being seen hanging with Cash Money artists Birdman and Bow Wow with his manager the same weekend.[62] This continued after he added "Rich Gang" or "YMCMB" to his social media platforms. Soulja Boy had earlier reported that he was no longer with Interscope Records after his record deal ended, after releasing his third studio album.[63] Way also announced that his album Promise has been changed to USA DRE. On March 15, 2013, he released the first single from the album, titled "Handsome".[64][65] Following that on March 25, 2013, he released the EP, All Black.[66] On April 24, 2013, Way released his mixtape Foreign 2.[67] Three days later, Way released the cover art to his next mixtape entitled King Soulja which was released on May 5, 2013.[68] On May 26, 2013 Way released his second EP entitled Cuban Link.[69][70] On June 13, 2013 Way announced that he has changed his album title once again to Life After Fame and that it would be released to stores on July 30, 2013.[71] On June 25, 2013 Way released his first single from the album entitled "Ridin Round" to iTunes, but it was later dubbed a promotional single.[72][73] On June 30, 2013 Way released Life After Fame as a mixtape and not as an album.[74] On September 24, 2013 Way released his mixtape entitled 23.[75][76] On November 30, 2013 Way released his mixtape The King.[77][78] On December 28, 2013 rapper/singer Drake collaborated & remixed Way's intro track "We Made It" from his mixtape The King.[79][80]
Musical style
Rapping technique
Way has been best known for his rudimentary lyrical verses as well as the embodying the typical pop rap & Southern hip hop music style and has also been well known for his rudimentary repetitive, yet catchy hooks.[81][82]
Speaking on his rapping technique and style, On November, 2010 during an interview with XXL Magazine while Way was explaining how he has grown as a MC he stated:
"I can't keep playin' around, because if you keep playin' around, people are gonna think you're a joke.... At some point, you have to get serious."
But don't get it twisted, Soulja doesn't wanna be the next Lupe Fiasco. I don't want to be super-Lupe-Fiasco-lyrical and niggas don't know what the fuck I'm talking about," he added.
"I want to be the best," he continued. "I want to be recognized in that category where I'm nominated for Best Rapper with Jay-Z and Kanye and Wayne. I wanna get a Grammy. I want Best Rap Album of the Year... I've made millions of dollars off of doing my style, but, hey, I can rap, too."
On December 5, 2010 Way clarified his earlier interview with XXL Magazine saying fellow rapper Lupe Fiasco was too "lyrical," explaining more in-depth why he doesn't keep a lyrically-based flow on every song.[83] According to Way:
"[XXL Magazine] didn't [publish] my whole statement. And basically, the interviewer dude, he was asking me why do I make lyrical songs like 'Only God Knows,' 'Born'... 'The World So Cold,' and why do I make non-lyrical songs like 'Crank That' and 'Pretty Boy Swag'? And he was like, why don't I just be lyrical all the time? And I was telling him on [a] specific song, like 'Pretty Boy Swag,' I ain't wanna be all lyrical. I just wanted to be straight-up, and just be simple, [so] people can get what I'm saying 'cause it's a club song. But I wasn't saying as far as my whole music [output, with] all of my songs, that I don't wanna be rappin' like Lupe Fiasco."
Way further clarified there was no animosity between he and Fiasco and that the two had planned to record a song together.