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Soulja Boy Biography: The Rapper Who Turned the Internet Into a Record Label

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Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy Biography: The Rapper Who Turned the Internet Into a Record Label

Soulja Boy (born DeAndre Cortez Way on July 28, 1990) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur whose 2007 single “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” became one of the first viral internet hits in music history, spending seven non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He pioneered promoting music through YouTube and MySpace, and in October 2026 he teased a possible run for U.S. president in 2028.

Quick facts

  • Full name: DeAndre Cortez Way
  • Born: July 28, 1990, Chicago, Illinois, USA (age 36)
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur
  • Known for: “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”; pioneering internet-era music marketing
  • Partner: Not publicly confirmed (split from Jackilyn Martinez in 2025, per reports)
  • Children: One son (born October 2022)

Early life and background

DeAndre Cortez Way was born on July 28, 1990, in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, as a young child, where he first became interested in rap music (biographical profiles). At 14, he moved to Batesville, Mississippi, with his father, who gave him a home recording studio (SortMusic biography). In November 2005 he began posting songs on SoundClick, then built accounts on YouTube and MySpace — the platforms that would drive his career. In March 2007 he recorded “Crank That” and released the independent album Unsigned & Still Major with a low-budget video of the “Crank That” dance (SortMusic biography).

Career: the first viral rapper

By the end of May 2007, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” had its first radio airplay, and Way met producer Mr. Collipark, signing with Interscope Records (biographical profiles). On August 12, 2007, the song appeared on HBO’s Entourage; on September 1 it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying for seven non-consecutive weeks, and it sold more than 3 million digital downloads in the U.S. (biographical profiles; GetUrTix).

His major-label debut, souljaboytellem.com, arrived October 2, 2007, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 — reportedly recorded using just the demo version of FL Studio (SortMusic biography). “Crank That” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song at the 50th Grammy Awards (SortMusic biography). Follow-ups included iSouljaBoyTellem (2008) — with the Hot 100 top-20 singles “Turn My Swag On” and “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” — and The DeAndre Way (2010), featuring “Pretty Boy Swag” (Simple Wikipedia). After parting with Interscope, he released dozens of independent projects through his Stacks on Deck (SODMG) label, moved into fashion and gaming, and acted in films including Officer Down (2013) (NetWorth202). In January 2025, he performed at the Crypto Ball, an event held during the festivities around Donald Trump’s second inauguration — a paid gig he later defended (GetUrTix).

The 2028 presidential tease

On October 10, 2026, Soulja Boy posted an Instagram photo captioned “SOULJA BOY 2028”, naming four focus areas: economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, education, and technology/AI — “exploring what it means to bring that same vision to public service” (Parade; Just Jared). He has announced no party, team or formal candidacy, and it remains unclear whether he will formally run (The Source; iHeart).

Major achievements

  • Pioneered YouTube/MySpace music promotion.
  • “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”: No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks; among the first singles to sell 3M+ downloads.
  • Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song (“Crank That”), 50th Grammy Awards.
  • Debut album souljaboytellem.com peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
  • Ranked No. 18 on Forbes’ Hip-Hop Cash Kings list of 2010, earning $7 million that year (biographical profiles).

Personal life

Soulja Boy became a father in October 2022 (a son with then-partner Jackilyn Martinez; the couple split in 2025) (TrapLyrics; BollywoodShaadis). Legal trouble has followed: in April 2025, a California jury found him liable for sexual battery and assault in a civil case brought by a former assistant, awarding her $4 million in compensatory damages plus $250,000 in punitive damages — a verdict he denied and said he would appeal (Stereogum). A 2023 case brought by ex-girlfriend Kayla Myers ended in a roughly $472,000 judgment (HotNewHipHop), and in August 2025 he was arrested in Los Angeles after a firearm was found in a vehicle he was riding in — released after two nights when prosecutors declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence (SoapCentral).

Net worth snapshot

Soulja Boy’s net worth in 2026 is estimated between $2 million and $30 million, with no Forbes, Bloomberg or Hurun figure ever published — a wide range that reflects how hard celebrity wealth is to pin down. For the full breakdown, our estimate methodology, and why the numbers disagree, read Soulja Boy’s net worth.

Frequently asked questions

What is Soulja Boy’s real name?

DeAndre Cortez Way, born July 28, 1990, in Chicago, Illinois. He previously performed as Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em.

How old is Soulja Boy?

36, born July 28, 1990. He was just 17 when “Crank That” hit No. 1 in September 2007.

How did Soulja Boy become famous?

He posted music on SoundClick, YouTube and MySpace in 2005–2007. His self-released “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” went viral, earned radio airplay and an Interscope deal, then spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Is Soulja Boy really running for president in 2028?

Not officially. On October 10, 2026, he teased a possible 2028 run on Instagram (“SOULJA BOY 2028”), naming economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, education and technology/AI as focus areas — but has announced no party, team or formal candidacy.

Does Soulja Boy have children?

Yes. Soulja Boy has one son, born in October 2022 to his then-partner Jackilyn Martinez. The couple split in 2025.

Sources