Born DeAndre Cortez Way in July 1990, Soulja Boy broke onto the hip-hop scene in 2007 with his debut single, “Crank That.” The Chicago native’s full professional name is Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, but fans – and the media – just started using the shorter version.
The rapper isn’t just a recording artist; he also has acting credits to his name, appearing in the TV series The Game and the 2013 movie, Officer Down. During his time in the spotlight, Soulja Boy has had a colorful love life. Previously, he dated producer Teddy Riley’s daughter and Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood star Nia Riley. The two even appeared on Marriage Boot Camp together in 2019. Soulja Boy has also had his fair share of trouble with the law. In April 2019 he was sentenced to 240 days behind bars for violating the terms of his probation in connection to a 2014 conviction for carrying a loaded firearm in public. In August 2025, he was arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop in Los Angeles.
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos of Soulja Boy from then and now.
