Soulja Boy Net Worth: Early Life, Career, Personal Life, Legal Challenges, And More

Soulja Boy Net Worth

$5 Million

Soulja Boy Net Worth

Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur with an estimated Soulja Boy net worth of $5 million. He made a major splash in the music industry with his 2007 hit single, “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” The song not only reached the top of the charts but also sparked a viral dance trend, dominating the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks beginning in September 2007.

While Soulja Boy’s later releases, such as iSouljaBoyTellem (2008) and The DeAndre Way (2010), didn’t match the massive success of his debut single, they still gained attention for their signature catchy hooks and his unique approach to production. His ability to create memorable beats and self-produced tracks kept him relevant in the industry.

Beyond music, Soulja Boy explored various entrepreneurial avenues. He launched his own fashion line and capitalized on the power of social media to build his brand, often engaging with fans and promoting his projects across digital platforms. In 2012, his ventures helped him earn a remarkable $7 million, placing him among the top earners in the hip-hop industry that year.

Soulja Boy Early Life

DeAndre Cortez Way, better known as Soulja Boy, was born on July 28, 1990, in Chicago, Illinois, to Tracy and Lisa Way. Growing up, music was a constant presence in his household, and by the age of six, he had already developed a deep passion for rap. When Soulja Boy was young, his family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was exposed to the heart of hip-hop culture.

In his teens, at 14 years old, Soulja Boy moved to Mississippi to live with his father. Though he keeps much of his family life private, he often speaks about the influence of his father on his career. It was during this time that Soulja Boy received a crucial gift: a home recording studio setup from his father. This gift played a pivotal role in helping him pursue his dream of becoming a rapper. While attending South Panola High School, Soulja Boy honed his craft, using his new studio to experiment with music and create his first tracks, eventually setting the stage for his future success.

Soulja Boy – The $55 Million Private Jet and $400 Million Contract

In 2011, Soulja Boy’s management team made headlines when they claimed he had bought a $55 million Gulfstream G5 private jet for his 21st birthday. The jet itself cost around $35 million, with an additional $20 million spent on customizations. Reportedly, these upgrades included luxurious Italian leather seats, multiple bars, flat-screen TVs, and renovations to the bathrooms, floors, and cabinetry. However, Soulja Boy’s spokesperson later clarified that these extravagant claims were inaccurate and labeled the rumors as misleading.

In 2016, Soulja Boy sparked more attention when he claimed to have secured a $400 million record deal. He expressed that he was underwhelmed by the offer, saying it was much lower than he had anticipated, even suggesting he was worth “2 or 3 billion.” The reality behind this deal was that Soulja Boy had partnered with World Poker Fund Holdings to promote CelebrityWorld.com, an online game blending a social network and online casino experience. Although the deal was indeed significant, a representative for the company explained that the $400 million figure was a potential cap, not a guarantee of cash, based on the company’s forward projections. The company’s market value at the time was only $51.8 million, casting doubt on the reported figure.

Soulja Boy Career Development

Born DeAndre Cortez Way on July 28, 1990, in Chicago, Illinois, Soulja Boy developed an early interest in music. By the age of six, he was already immersed in the sounds of rap, and his passion for the genre grew when his family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. At 14, he moved to Batesville, Mississippi, where his father set up a recording studio in their home, fostering his son’s musical ambitions.

In 2005, Soulja Boy began uploading his tracks to SoundClick, which garnered positive feedback. His presence on MySpace and YouTube further expanded his reach. By 2007, he had recorded and released his breakout single, “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” The song, which also featured a viral dance, quickly became a cultural phenomenon. By the summer of 2007, the song was playing on major radio stations, and Soulja Boy signed with Interscope Records. “Crank That” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for seven weeks.

Following the success of his debut, Soulja Boy released his first studio album, Souljaboytellem.com, which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart and was eventually certified platinum. His subsequent albums, ¡SouljaBoyTellem! (2008) and The DeAndre Way (2010), continued to solidify his place in the hip-hop industry.

Soulja Boy’s musical journey didn’t stop there, as he released Loyalty in 2015 and How Can You Blame Me in 2019. Though the latter was delayed due to legal issues, Soulja Boy remained active with mixtapes and singles like “Pandemic” in 2021. He also dropped Soulja World that same year, which featured rapper Lil B.

Soulja Boy’s Entrepreneurial Ventures And Record Label

In 2004, while still signed to Interscope, Soulja Boy launched his record label, Stacks on Deck Entertainment (SODMG). Over the years, SODMG signed various artists, but in 2016, Soulja Boy made the decision to part ways with his roster. However, in 2019, he revived the label, signing Lil 100 and Atlanta-based artist 24hr. Continuing to expand his business, Soulja Boy inked a deal with Virgin Music in 2021, marking another milestone in his entrepreneurial career.

Soulja Boy Endorsements And Partnerships

As one of the most recognized names in hip-hop, Soulja Boy has expanded his brand beyond music into various business ventures. His presence in Hollywood, through appearances on TV shows and in movies, only enhances his status, leading to lucrative endorsement deals.

One notable partnership Soulja Boy announced was with World Poker Fund Holdings, the company behind the celebrity-driven social gaming platform, CelebrityWorld.com. While Soulja Boy claimed that the deal was valued at a substantial $400 million, there is no verifiable documentation confirming the specifics of the agreement or Soulja’s cut. Nonetheless, it’s clear that his market influence continues to generate interest from major companies.

Soulja Boy Real Estate And Assets

Soulja Boy resides in a lavish mansion located in Agoura Hills, California, a desirable neighborhood just outside Los Angeles. While the exact purchase price of the property remains undisclosed, it was acquired through a cash transaction. Before relocating to the West Coast in 2010, Soulja Boy owned a home in Atlanta, which he eventually sold.

His real estate portfolio does not include additional investment properties, and there is little known about his stock investments or other business assets outside what is publicly known. However, he is widely recognized for his impressive collection of luxury cars, with models from renowned brands such as Porsche, Audi, and Aston Martin among his possessions.

Soulja Boy Entrepreneurial Ventures

Soulja Boy has ventured into multiple business endeavors, displaying his entrepreneurial drive. One of his notable investments is in The Soap Shop, a soap manufacturing company based in Mississippi. This brand experienced a remarkable surge in sales during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing a 3,000% increase, helping it solidify its place in the marketplace.

In addition to his soap business, Soulja Boy has become involved in the cannabis industry with Soulja Exotics. Partnering with Grizzly Peak™, he manages this line of products and oversees quality control.

Further diversifying his business interests, Soulja Boy launched his sneaker brand, Soulja Stars, with each pair priced at $279. This was followed by his entry into the gaming market in 2016, when he released SouljaGame Console and SouljaGame Handheld in 2018. These products were marketed with preloaded games and became somewhat of a sensation, with the console retailing for $199.99 and the handheld for $149.99. While Soulja Boy claimed impressive sales figures of 5 million units, the authenticity of these numbers is debatable, as the consoles were pulled from the market just three weeks after release.

Soulja Boy Gaming, NFTs, And Controversies

In 2021, Soulja Boy made headlines by claiming to have purchased Atari, although the iconic video game company denied the assertion. Soulja later adjusted his statement, claiming he held a stake in Atari without providing specific details about his share.

Soulja Boy also explored the cryptocurrency space in 2021, announcing the launch of his own coin, SouljaCoin. Despite initial excitement, the project led to controversy when Soulja was named in a class action lawsuit involving celebrities accused of promoting cryptocurrencies to unsuspecting investors. The lawsuit, which was part of the broader “pump and dump” schemes, is ongoing as of late 2022.

In 2008, Soulja Boy launched his apparel line, S.O.D. (Stacks on Deck) Money Gang, which continues to generate steady income. The clothing line remains a part of his diverse entrepreneurial portfolio.

Soulja Boy Personal Life

In 2008, Soulja Boy found himself embroiled in a public feud with legendary rapper Ice-T. On DJ Cisco’s Urban Legend mixtape, Ice-T criticized Soulja Boy’s hit single “Crank That,” dismissing it as a “garbage” track in comparison to the works of hip-hop pioneers like Rakim, Das EFX, Big Daddy Kane, and Ice Cube. The heated exchange quickly escalated online, with both artists posting retaliatory videos. Kanye West stepped in to defend Soulja, praising the young rapper for introducing a fresh, original style to the genre. This feud was later humorously parodied in The Boondocks in 2010.

In December of the same year, Soulja Boy became the victim of a violent robbery at his home. Initial reports claimed that six armed men with AK-47s had invaded the property, but a video surfaced the following day featuring two masked individuals who took full responsibility for the crime. In an interview with MTV News, Soulja Boy recounted the traumatic event, detailing how the intruders barged into his home while he and his friends were recording music, threatening them with guns.

Another tragic personal loss occurred in March 2011, when Soulja Boy’s younger brother, Deion Jenkins, tragically passed away in a car accident.

In 2020, Soulja Boy made a significant decision to remove all of his face tattoos in order to pursue acting roles in television and film. Having gotten his first face tattoo at the age of 16, a move that met with disapproval from his mother, Soulja had long considered removing them. His goal was to avoid being typecast as a gangster or a drug dealer, which he felt would be inevitable if he kept the tattoos.

In September 2022, Soulja Boy welcomed his first child, a son, with his girlfriend, Jackie.

Soulja Boy Legal Issues

Soulja Boy has faced several legal challenges throughout his career. In October 2009, he was arrested in Atlanta for obstruction of justice after attempting to evade police while filming a video at an abandoned house. He was released on a $550 bond. Over the years, his legal troubles have extended to weapon violations and accusations of making death threats. He also faced a rape allegation, which his spokesperson vehemently denied.

In 2021, Soulja Boy was involved in a lawsuit related to his promotion of the SafeMoon cryptocurrency, which was accused of being a “pump-and-dump” scheme. Soulja Boy, along with other celebrities like Jake Paul, Nick Carter, and Lil Yachty, promoted SafeMoon on social media, which led to legal repercussions as a class-action lawsuit was filed against them.

In 2019, a serious allegation was made by his former girlfriend, Nia Riley, who claimed Soulja Boy assaulted her while she was pregnant. According to Riley, he threatened her with a gun and physically harmed her, which allegedly led to a miscarriage. Soulja Boy has not admitted to the allegations.

Additionally, in 2023, Soulja Boy was ordered by a court to pay $471,000 in damages to another ex-girlfriend, Kayla Myers, who accused him of kidnapping, assaulting, and holding her hostage for six hours in a Malibu rental. In order to satisfy the court’s judgment, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department was authorized to seize assets from Soulja Boy’s home, including luxury cars, jewelry, and stacks of cash.

Soulja Boy Living Arrangements

Soulja Boy’s real estate ventures have often made headlines, though some of the details surrounding his property acquisitions have been unclear. In November 2016, reports surfaced that he had purchased a $6 million penthouse in Hollywood, though it was later revealed that the apartment was listed for sale at $3.2 million at the time and was likely an Airbnb rental.

Over the years, Soulja Boy has reportedly rented various high-end properties in Los Angeles. For example, he was said to have rented a mansion in Northridge, California, for around $8,000 per month. He was also leasing a property in Malibu in early 2019 when an argument led to his arrest, following allegations of abuse by a woman at the home.

In addition to his Hollywood and LA properties, Soulja Boy once owned a home in McDonough, Georgia, which he purchased for $330,000 in 2008. He sold the 7,500-square-foot mansion in 2010 for just $132,000, a significant loss.

FAQs About Soulja Boy Net Worth

1. Who is Soulja Boy?

Soulja Boy, born DeAndre Cortez Way, is a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur who gained prominence in the 2000s with his viral hit single “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” He has since expanded his career into acting and business ventures.

2. What was the feud between Soulja Boy and Ice-T about?

In 2008, Ice-T criticized Soulja Boy’s song “Crank That” on DJ Cisco’s Urban Legend mixtape, calling it “garbage” and claiming it hurt hip-hop. The two rappers exchanged video insults online, with Kanye West defending Soulja Boy for bringing a fresh style to the genre.

3. Has Soulja Boy faced any legal issues?

Yes, Soulja Boy has been involved in multiple legal issues over the years, including a 2009 arrest for obstruction of justice, accusations of assault, a 2021 cryptocurrency lawsuit, and allegations of abuse from ex-girlfriends. Some of these allegations resulted in financial settlements and court orders.

4. What happened during Soulja Boy’s 2008 robbery?

In December 2008, Soulja Boy was robbed and beaten at his home by masked intruders. Initial reports indicated that six armed men were involved, but a video later showed two masked men taking responsibility for the crime. Soulja Boy recounted the traumatic event in an interview with MTV News.

5. Why did Soulja Boy get his face tattoos removed?

In 2020, Soulja Boy removed his face tattoos in an effort to transition into acting. He had gotten his first face tattoo at 16 and felt that the tattoos made him more likely to be typecast in gangster roles.

Conclusion

Soulja Boy’s journey from a viral sensation to a multifaceted entertainer has been marked by both success and controversy. His impact on hip-hop and popular culture is undeniable, but his personal and legal challenges have often overshadowed his achievements. Despite facing several legal battles, including allegations of assault and involvement in cryptocurrency lawsuits, Soulja Boy continues to evolve both professionally and personally. Whether it’s transitioning into acting or making significant real estate moves, his career remains one to watch, proving that the rapper is much more than just a pioneer in the music industry.

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