Soulja Boy's Net Worth: What You Can Learn from His Journey to Wealth

Soulja Boy’s journey to hip-hop success and multi-millionaire status is the perfect example of how one great song (or business idea) can change your life. Also known as Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em or Big Draco and named DeAndre Cortez Way at birth, he is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur who burst onto the music scene in 2007 with his hit single “Crank That (Soulja Boy).”

This one song instantly became a viral sensation, putting him on the fast track to success and altering the course of his life. Although Soulja Boy has experienced some controversies and legal issues along the way, he has established himself as a bona fide hip-hop star and continues to release hits 15 years after his popular debut. 

In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the life and career of Soulja Boy, exploring his rise to fame, music, business ventures, and impact on hip-hop culture. From Soulja Boy’s net worth to his current money-making activities, take a closer look at how he has achieved fame and fortune and what you can learn from his inspiring journey to wealth. 

Plus, find out how we can show you how to increase your net worth FREE.

Who is Soulja Boy?

Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, is a Grammy-nominated American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. Before adopting the moniker Soulja Boy, he went by Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. He originally gained fame in 2007 with his hit single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," which was accompanied by a viral dance craze known as the "Soulja Boy Dance." The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition, it was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 10 million copies in the US. 

At the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” was nominated for the award for Best Rap Song, which he lost to T-Pain and Kanye West’s song “Good Life.” 

Since then, Soulja Boy has released nine additional studio albums and three compilation albums. He has also ventured into other business ventures, such as NFTs, gaming, and even soap.

Early Life

DeAndre Cortez Way was born July 28, 1990, in Chicago, IL. He moved with his family from Chicago to Atlanta, Georgia, at age 7, where he developed an interest in rap music. When he was 14, DeAndre moved to Batesville, Mississippi, with his father, who built a recording studio so a young DeAndre could explore his musical talents. 

In November 2005, DeAndre uploaded his songs to YouTube, garnering positive reviews and a dedicated following. He then created a page on MySpace to establish his online presence further. He was one of the first music artists to leverage social media to promote his music and brand. Due to his overwhelming success on the platforms, other artists followed in his footsteps. Today, YouTube and other platforms are crucial assets for new artists to share their music. 

Soulja Boy's musical style is characterized by simple lyrics, catchy refrains, and minimalist production, which has become popular for aspiring rappers even 15 years later. You can find traces of DeAndre's style in many of today's popular rap songs. 

What is Soulja Boy's net worth?

According to top sources, Soulja Boy’s net worth is $10 million. 

Soulja Boy’s Motivational Rules for Success

While you may not consider a hip-hop or rock star to be a beacon of motivational wisdom, Soulja Boy clearly knows what he's talking about. This is a star who walks the talk! He worked hard, navigated several personal challenges, and still came out on top with a net worth that rivals most popular motivational speakers who get paid to share their wisdom.

Here are four life lessons you can pull from Soulja Boy’s quotes he’s shared during his journey to success:

1. Do everything to the best of your ability

“If I’m going to make music for the streets or the clubs or whatever, I go at it 110 percent.” 

2. Words are powerful

“Words are powerful. When I make mistakes, I just try to come back and clarify what I meant."

3. Count your blessings

“Be great, make the best life for your family! If I’m doing something, it’s coming from a kind heart.” 

4. The internet is your friend

The internet has been a BIG help with my career. My advice to musicians, the internet is the key. It gets your music heard all across the world.” 

FAQ

What is Soulja Boy's net worth?

Soulja Boy, also known as DeAndre Cortez Way, has a net worth of $10 million.

How did Soulja Boy become famous?

Soulja Boy rose to fame in 2007 after self-publishing and promoting his song "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" on social media sites like Myspace and YouTube. He produced the song in his home studio and uploaded it with his homemade video featuring his signature dance. 

The song and video quickly became viral sensations. People around the world shared videos of their versions of the dance routine. The song went to the top of the Billboard 100 chart. As a result, his debut album Souljaboytellem.com sold over 3 million copies in the United States. 

What were some of the business endeavors that contributed to Soulja Boy's net worth?

While it may not be widespread knowledge, Soulja Boy is a successful businessman as well as an ambitious hip-hop artist. He founded the record label Stacks on Deck Entertainment (SODMG) in 2004. As recently as 2019, he signed artists 24hr and Lil 100 to his label. 

Other business endeavors and investments that have contributed to Soulja Boy’s net worth include:

• Selling more than 2 million copies of “Crank That” for ringtones.
• Launching the Stacks on Deck (SOD) Money Gang clothing line in 2008.
• Signing an endorsement deal with World Poker Fund Holdings, a celebrity-owned social gaming site, in 2016; according to DeAndre, the deal was worth $400 million.
• Releasing SouljaWatch in 2018; the product has similar functionality to the Apple Watch.
• Investing in the soap company The Soap Shop in 2020.
• Releasing his line of Soulja Boy-branded video game consoles in 2021.
• Releasing a series of tweets as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in 2021, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Developing a cannabis brand, Soulja Exotics™, in 2021. 
• Releasing his documentary series, The Life of Draco, on RevoltTV in 2022.

What was Soulja Boy's debut single? 

Soulja Boy’s debut single was “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” In 2007, the song secured the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for seven non-consecutive weeks. 

What are some of the controversies that Soulja Boy has been involved in?

DeAndre’s rise to fame and fortune has not been without controversies and challenges. He had a well-publicized feud with rapper Ice-T in 2008, in which Ice-T claimed that Soulja Boy killed hip-hop, calling his hit song "Crank That" garbage. As a result, Soulja Boy created a video response he uploaded to YouTube, poking fun at Ice-T's age. The two went back and forth via YouTube videos, never resolving the issue. But DeAndre garnered the support of Kanye West during the media storm.

In addition to the Ice-T feuding, Soulja Boy has publicly argued with other rappers such as Drake and Lil Yachty. 

Another controversy included accusations that Soulja Boy promoted scam cryptocurrency through his social media accounts in 2021. Accusers claimed that Soulja Boy received a large sum of money to endorse the fraudulent scheme. 

What is the Soulja Game console?

The Soulja Boy game console called SouljaGame was a line of video game consoles released by the rapper in 2018. The console line included two models, the SouljaGame Console and the SouljaGame Handheld, both of which were marketed as portable gaming devices that could play various games.

How has Soulja Boy used the internet as a platform for success?

Soulja Boy was one of the first artists to release and promote his music on social media platforms. In 2005, he uploaded his self-produced song "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" to YouTube, and it went on to become a viral sensation. He also was an early adopter of Myspace for music promotion. Today, he has a large following on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. 

What other hip-hop artists have collaborated with Soulja Boy?

Soulja Boy has collaborated with several hip-hop artists, including Migos, Sammie, Roscoe Dash, 50 Cent, Drake, and Lil Uzi Vert. 

Takeaway

Soulja Boy has proven that he has what it takes to stay relevant and build an impressive net worth. Eighteen years after he first uploaded his hit single to YouTube, he continues to launch products and release music to further monetize his personal brand. 

Whether you know him as DeAndre, Big Draco, or Soulja Boy, you can’t deny he has worked hard to build his multi-million-dollar empire. He's managed to stay successful through controversies and public feuds, and there's no end to his creativity and business aspirations. 

If Soulja Boy inspires you to create a brand that ensures you achieve financial success, no matter what life brings your way, you need an action plan and plenty of support. 

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