Soulja Boy Biography: Real Name, Age, Height, Songs, Career, Girlfriend, Children, Net Worth

DeAndre Cortez Way, professionally known as Soulja Boy, is a renowned American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur who became one of hip-hop’s most recognizable names after his 2007 hit song Crank That (Soulja Boy) took over radio, music charts, and the internet.

He is also recognized for his influence on internet-driven music promotion. By sharing songs and music videos online before viral marketing became a standard industry strategy, he helped show how digital audiences could create commercial opportunities for emerging musicians.

Early Life and Education

Soulja Boy was born DeAndre Cortez Way on July 28, 1990, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. When he was about six, his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he spent part of his childhood.

Atlanta exposed him to the Southern hip-hop scene, which was developing its own distinctive sounds, dance movements, and production styles. This musical environment shaped his interests as he began experimenting with rap and beat-making.

His interest in music grew during his teenage years. He started writing lyrics, recording songs, and learning to produce music with software. Rather than waiting for a major record label to discover him, he began sharing his recordings online and building an audience through direct engagement with listeners.

His family later moved to Batesville, Mississippi, where he continued developing his musical ambitions. His father supported his interest in music and helped him pursue recording opportunities.

Details about his formal education and academic qualifications are limited in widely available public biographies. His early years are better documented through his transition from an aspiring teenage musician to an internet personality whose recordings attracted a growing audience.

Career

Soulja Boy began attracting attention in the mid-2000s by uploading music to online platforms, including SoundClick and MySpace. He also used YouTube to share songs, performances, and videos of his dance moves. This approach helped him build a fan base before his music became a regular presence on mainstream radio.

His early online success helped bring attention to Crank That (Soulja Boy), the song that would transform his career. Released commercially in 2007, the track combined an infectious hook with simple dance instructions that encouraged listeners to participate. Fans created their own videos and shared them online, helping the song spread beyond its original audience.

Crank That (Soulja Boy) eventually reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent seven non-consecutive weeks. Its success earned Soulja Boy a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. The song became one of the defining hip-hop hits of 2007 and established him as a major young artist.

Following the single’s success, Soulja Boy released his debut studio album, Souljaboytellem.com, in 2007. The album reached the top five of the Billboard 200 and included hits like “Soulja Girl” and “Yahhh!” The title reflected his internet-focused approach to music promotion and the role online platforms played in building his career.

In 2008, he released his second studio album, iSouljaBoyTellem. The project included Kiss Me Thru the Phone, featuring singer Sammie, and Turn My Swag On. Both songs became important entries in his catalog. Kiss Me Thru the Phone peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, while Turn My Swag On gained popularity for its confident lyrics and memorable chorus.

Soulja Boy released his third studio album, The DeAndre Way, in 2010. It featured Pretty Boy Swag, another commercially successful single that became closely associated with his public image. The album also included collaborations with other performers, reflecting his continued efforts to expand his musical reach.

Early in his career, Soulja Boy worked with several artists across hip-hop and R&B. His collaboration with Sammie on Kiss Me Thru the Phone became one of his most successful records. He also worked with Bow Wow on Marco Polo, while his wider catalog and guest appearances connected him with artists including Gucci Mane, 50 Cent, Sean Kingston, Snoop Dogg, and Roscoe Dash. These collaborations placed him within a broader network of mainstream and Southern hip-hop artists.

Beyond his own recordings, Soulja Boy established Stacks on Deck Entertainment (SODMG) as part of his independent music career. He released numerous mixtapes and projects through the label, maintaining a presence in hip-hop even when his later commercial singles did not match the chart performance of his earliest hits.

His later releases included King Soulja 3, Loyalty, Best to Ever Do It, and Young Draco. He also developed the Big Draco series, continuing to release music for his established audience. During this period, his work reflected a shift toward independent releases and direct promotion through online platforms.

Soulja Boy’s impact on music culture has often been discussed in connection with the growth of internet marketing. His rise demonstrated how a song could gain momentum through user-generated dance videos, online sharing, and audience participation. Later musicians adopted similar methods to promote songs and build online communities, though many artists and platforms contributed to the broader development of viral music.

He continued releasing singles throughout the 2020s. In 2021, She Make It Clap gained attention online and became another example of his ability to generate interest through social media. He followed it with additional releases, including mixtapes and albums such as Diary of a Soulja and Swag 7.

In April 2026, Soulja Boy released DRIP, a 13-track album that added to his catalog of independent projects. He also continued releasing individual songs and promoting his music through streaming services, videos, and live performances. The release showed that he remained active as a recording artist nearly two decades after his initial breakthrough.

Soulja Boy has also explored business opportunities beyond recording music. His ventures have included clothing and merchandise, gaming-related projects, and online entertainment. Some of his technology-related product announcements drew criticism and raised questions about the products he was promoting. These ventures nevertheless became part of his wider public identity as an entertainer interested in business and self-promotion.

His career has also included significant legal disputes. In April 2025, a civil jury in California found him liable for assault, sexual battery, gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and related claims brought by a former personal assistant. The jury initially awarded $4 million in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages. The jury later reduced the punitive award to $50,000 to avoid a retrial on that portion of the case, and a judge later awarded the plaintiff more than $800,000 in legal fees and costs. Soulja Boy’s legal team disputed the verdict and said it would pursue legal remedies.

In 2026, efforts to collect the judgment continued, including reported attempts to pursue income from his music royalties. This development highlighted the financial implications of the civil case. The verdict was a civil finding of liability and should not be described as a criminal conviction.

Another legal matter emerged in connection with a child-support and paternity dispute involving Jackilyn Martinez. In July 2026, reports based on court documents stated that Soulja Boy had requested a DNA test to establish paternity of a young child named KeAndre Cortez Way. Martinez had sought custody and child support. The case was ongoing at the time of those reports, and paternity should not be presented as legally established without confirmation of the proceedings’ outcome.

Despite these controversies, Soulja Boy remains a recognized figure in hip-hop, particularly for his early role in internet-based music promotion and his string of memorable late-2000s singles. His career continues to combine recording, online promotion, business activities, and public appearances.

Discography

• Souljaboytellem.com (2007)
• iSouljaBoyTellem (2008)
• The DeAndre Way (2010)
• King Soulja 3 (2014)
• Loyalty (2015)
• Best to Ever Do It (2018)
• Young Draco (2018)
• Big Draco (2021)
• Big Draco 2 (2021)
• Big Draco 3 (2022)
• Diary of a Soulja (2024)
• Swag 7 (2025)
• DRIP (2026)
• Crank That (Soulja Boy)
• Kiss Me Thru the Phone
• Turn My Swag On
• Pretty Boy Swag
• Soulja Girl
• Yahhh!
• Bird Walk
• Donk
• She Make It Clap

Personal Life

Soulja Boy has kept some aspects of his private life out of the public eye, though his relationships and family matters have periodically drawn media coverage. His romantic life has drawn public discussion, but reports about his relationships haven’t always provided a complete or consistent picture.

One of the most widely reported relationships in his personal life was with a former partner who also worked as his personal assistant. Their relationship became the subject of a civil lawsuit that led to the 2025 jury verdict against him. The case involved claims of assault, sexual battery, and emotional distress, which the jury considered under civil law. Soulja Boy disputed the claims and the resulting verdict.

His family life also received renewed attention in 2025 and 2026 when Jackilyn Martinez filed a case seeking custody and child support for a young child. According to reports published in July 2026, Soulja Boy requested a DNA test to establish paternity. Because the case was ongoing, its outcome should not be assumed.

Soulja Boy’s public image has also been shaped by his outspoken personality and social media activity. He frequently uses online platforms to promote music, respond to other entertainers, and share opinions on popular culture. This online presence has helped keep him in public conversations beyond his music releases.

Social Media Handles

• Instagram: @souljaboy
• TikTok: @souljaboytv
• Official Website: SouljaBoyTV.net

Soulja Boy’s Net Worth

Soulja Boy’s exact net worth is estimated at around $5 million. He has earned income through music sales, streaming, songwriting, production, live performances, merchandise, and business ventures.

Tags

Soulja Boy, DeAndre Cortez Way, Sammie, Bow Wow, Gucci Mane, 50 Cent, Sean Kingston, Snoop Dogg, Roscoe Dash, Jackilyn Martinez

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