Soulja Boy Biography
DeAndre Cortez Way, professionally known as Soulja Boy (formerly Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em; born July 28, 1990), is an American rapper and record producer.
Way was born in Chicago and relocated to Atlanta at the age of six, where he became interested in rap music. At the age of fourteen, he moved with his father to Batesville, Mississippi.
Music Career
His second studio album, iSouljaBoyTellem (2008), featured the top-20 Billboard Hot 100 singles “Turn My Swag On” and “Kiss Me Through the Phone” (with Sammie). Way earned $7 million in 2010, placing him at number 18 on the Forbes list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings.
In 2007, his self-released debut single “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” ascended to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks. He then released his debut album Souljaboytellem.com (2007), which featured the single “Soulja Girl”.
In 2010, Way released his third album, “The DeAndre Way,” to lacklustre commercial reception. He became an independent artist in the years that followed.
Genre
Hip Hop
Location
USA
Socials
“The DeAndre Way,” was intended to be his most personal and successful album to date. He stated that he desired to collaborate with artists such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Eminem. The album’s lead single, “POW”, was released in January 2009 but failed to garner success and was dubbed a promotional single.
On October 30, 2009, Way released three mixtapes: “Paranormal Activity,“ “Dat Piff,“ and “Cortez.“
In March 2012, it was rumoured that Way was signing to Cash Money Records after getting a “Rich Gang” face tattoo the same weekend he was seen with his manager and Cash Money artists Birdman and Bow Wow. This continued after he added “Rich Gang” or “YMCMB” to his social media platforms. Way had earlier reported that he was no longer with Interscope Records after his record deal ended in February.
On May 19, Way produced, co-wrote, and was featured on Nicki Minaj’s promotional single “Yasss Bish”, which received positive reviews from music critics.
On November 17, Way announced via his Instagram that he had signed a new label deal with Universal Music Group and also revealed the title, cover art and release date for his fourth studio album, Loyalty, originally scheduled for release on December 2, 2014, but pushed back to February 3, 2015.
After releasing his fourth studio album, Loyalty, in 2015, Way released additional singles, mixtapes, and a digital album. On May 26, fellow Atlanta, Georgia artist Rich The Kid announced that he and Way would be releasing a collaboration album titled Get Rich.
On June 3, 2015 via Twitter, Way revealed the title, cover art and release date to his upcoming fifth studio album, Blessed, which was scheduled for release on July 28, 2015, but experienced several delays.
On July 30, through his independent label Stacks on Deck Entertainment, Way released his fourth digital album, King Soulja 4, featuring appearances from Migos, ReeseMoneyBagz, Dae Dot and Sean Kingston.On September 1, 2015, Way released the single “Diddy Bop.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62630370/477294026.jpg.0.jpg?w=708&ssl=1)
On June 9, 2016, through his label Stacks on Deck Entertainment, he released his sixth digital album, Better Late Than Never, featuring Lil Twist and Lil Yachty.
Family
Soulja has an elder brother. In 2011, his younger brother named Deion Jenkins died in an auto collision.
Relationships
Rapper Soulja Boy was dated Diamond in 2012. Diamond, Crime Mobb rap group member, had ended a six-year relationship with southern rapper Lil Scrappy.
In 2019, he was romantically linked to Blac Chyna. He also dated Tiona Fernan. He started dating Jackilyn Martinez in 2022. In late 2022, the couple wlecomed a baby boy.
Awards and achievements
Soulja Boy won the 2007 BET Hip-Hop Awards for Best Hip-Hop Dance. Same year, he received the Ozone Award in the category of ‘Patiently Waiting: Mississippi’
