RealTalk With Soulja Boy
At the young age of 17, Soulja Boy finds himself riding the wave of a successful hit single and popularizing a dance craze amongst today’s youth. RealTalkNY recently spoke with the Mississippi resident and talked about his critics, the industry, and his growth as an artist.
On his critics and the South:
I think the people that do criticize the music-I think they’re scared because they’re use to listening to one type of music for so long and it’s stuck on their minds…..
RTNY: How old are you, and where are you originally from?
S.Boy: I’m 17 years old, the name is Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em coming straight from Atlanta Georgia, but I reside in Mississippi so I rep both of em’.
RTNY: Being so young, what made you decide to get into the music industry?
S.Boy: Music was something I was fooling around with. I wasn’t really serious with it until I put out my first song and the response I got was crazy. That’s when I started taking it seriously.
RTNY: How would you describe your sound and style of music?
S.Boy: I would describe my sound as very unique and different, definitely not the same as other rappers. It’s a movement behind my music, so it’s something that I look at as very different.
RTNY: Do you feel like you’re the spokesman for Atlanta’s younger generation of music?
S.Boy: Yes, I look at myself and my music that’s coming out as the next generation of hip-hop. I think what I’m doing along with Hurricane Chris and Sean Kingston I think it’s really crazy, it’s like a movement.
RTNY: Speaking of Hip-Hop; many people might not take you serious as an artist because of the type of music you make. What do you have to say to those types of people?
S.Boy: At the end of the day, it’s all music. I make the type of music for my crowd, the type of people that want to hear it. Once my album releases October 2, I think it’s going to kill all of the talk they’re talking about.
RTNY: How did you come up with the song, “Crank That Soulja Boy”?
S.Boy: I made the beat for it and then I started writing the lyrics so it just came like half and half.
RTNY: The dance that came with the song, was that like a marketing strategy you thought of?
S.Boy: Well, nah. I didn’t know it was going to play a big part in making the song more popular. Beyonce’s cranking it; Samuel L. Jackson, I seen him doing it on 106 & Park, Omarion, Bow Wow, and Chris Brown. I mean it’s crazy.
RTNY: How did it feel to see a mega-star like Beyonce doing your dance?
S.Boy: When I seen her do it, I was like wow. Especially since she’s on tour and she’s doing it on every show. So once she started doing it, I was like it’s a rap.
RTNY: As you get older, and your music continues to grow; do you think your music and it’s content will change?
S.Boy: Right now; I’m young, I’m having fun. Over the years, yes I think it will change because I think it’ll be more fields that I want to cover.
RTNY: You recently signed with Collipark Music, how did you get the big deal?
S.Boy: Well my Myspace page, it was 10 million strong before the deal. A DJ by the name of Freddie Hydro gave Collipark my mixtape and he looked me up on the internet. I guess he didn’t think it was real, so he was asking everybody about me and all the kids knew about me. My contact information was on the page, so he hit me up and came to my house, and signed me the same week. Two weeks later I got my major deal with Interscope.
RTNY: Who are some of the artists you look to for inspiration?
S.Boy: 50 Cent. And know to be label mates with him, it’s real big. That’s keeps pushing me everyday to do these shows, interviews, and make music. That’s a big inspiration to me because I want to accomplish alot of things in life.
RTNY: Being young and a fairly new artist, how much of an input did you have on your album dropping October 2?
S.Boy: I produced my whole album, and wrote my whole album. It’s crazy; I got R&B tracks, I got a couple of dance records, and I got a couple of tracks that cover real hard topics. The album drops October 2, and when you get it-it’s going to be like wow!
RTNY: Any collaborations?
S.Boy: I got Hurricane Chris, Sean Kingston. Arab, he’s coming in 2008-he’s coming from my label, Stacks On Deck Ent.
RTNY: Other than yourself, are there any other producers?
S.Boy: Mr. Collipark. I look to work with Scott Storch and Swizz Beats. But right now, I’m doing my own thing on the producing tip.
RTNY: What’s the next single from the album?
S.Boy: The second official single is called, “Yah”. That record is going to be crazy, it’s going to be 10 times bigger than Superman. And we just shot the video for the underground single called, “Let Me Get Em”, which is going to be bubbling under that.
RTNY: Being from the South, how do you feel about the negative criticism the South sometimes gets in the industry?
S.Boy: I think the people that do criticize the music-I think they’re scared because they’re use to listening to one type of music for so long and it’s stuck on their minds. And once something so different comes out that millions of people like; and once they hear it they automatically jump on the defense and attack because they’re not use to listening to it.
RTNY: Any shotouts before we end?
S.Boy: All of the fans. Beyonce for doing the dance on tour; shoutout to Keyshia Cole. Everybody who’s doing the dance on the shows, it’s a good look for my career. And to everybody who’s supporting me. Shoutout to all the haters too!
Myspace: myspace.com/souljaboytellem
Official Site: www.souljaboytellem.com
Suggestion Box
August 28th, 2007 at 6:06 am
Fffffffffffffffffrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssst!
Crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaacccck!
I kind of like his joint though….its those one hit wonders joints…
August 28th, 2007 at 6:14 am
What’s good RTNY?!?! I think it’s good a upcoming artist like Soulja has so much confidence in himself. It will take him far and help to deal with the “haters”. I love Crank Dat, but I’m still working on the dance….LOL!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 6:14 am
see, its the young people that are “changing/killin” hip hop. the shit is wack to me, but let them have they music and we have ours, like he said, its all music. good music is in the ear of the beholder!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 6:21 am
Good interview.. I see most of my questions was answered.
August 28th, 2007 at 6:26 am
“Yes, I look at myself and my music that’s coming out as the next generation of hip-hop”.
WE’RE IN TROUBLE GUYS
August 28th, 2007 at 6:30 am
soulja boys a joke check out my nigga nems from coney island brooklyn http://www.mypace.com/nemsmurderfest
August 28th, 2007 at 6:38 am
*Bonus*
RTNY: So, how did you come up with your shade design?
S.Boy: I was like yeah i got this pencil right and just got these new shades and was like yeah lets write my name on them.
August 28th, 2007 at 6:48 am
blanco montana, the link isnt working.
August 28th, 2007 at 6:59 am
What’s Up Kent. Real interview, but you should of ask Soulja Boy to quit looking so weak in his videos.
August 28th, 2007 at 6:59 am
LMFAO!!!! aT #6 YOU HAD ME ROLLIN FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS ON THAT ONE
August 28th, 2007 at 7:06 am
CRANK DAT SOULJA BOY…AND SUPER SOAK THAT HOE…LETS ALL JUST CHILL AND LET THE YOUNG CAT EAT HE AINT HURTING NOBODY…NOW 50 THATS A WHOLE NOTHER STORY
August 28th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Kids….you gotta lovem!
August 28th, 2007 at 7:17 am
Real Talk: If anyone thinks that Soulja Boy is talented should smack themselves. No really, smack yourselves. This is pure example of what is wrong with rap. I’m not even going to put it in the same category as hip hop. Yes, there is a difference between rap and hip hop. I was watching MTV Jams and saw this as the Jam of The Week and I almost dropped a tear. There are no verses! Just a long ass weak chorus. Now this aint a shot against the South cause they got some talented ass dudes there and I’m not a hater. But damn, this song is horrible and somebody tell him to take those damn stickers off his glasses, he looks like a fool.
-K 2 The Yee!
August 28th, 2007 at 7:40 am
I don’t know.. I’m not a really big fan of the song, the beat is nice, but other than that, I would say that it’s wack. That aside, from the interview he sounds like he has some sense….
August 28th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Straight Bafoonery!!
August 28th, 2007 at 7:46 am
In order for to Hip-Hop to grow, we must imbrace all forms of it. I am personally not a fan, but many said the same about NWA “Gangsta Rap” or what about Puff with the “Shiney Suits”? Looking back now, if it wasn’t for NWA,or Puff would Hip-Hop be where it is now?
Let the little “lames” eat!! LOL I was wrong for that…
Shout out to Jay-z
August 28th, 2007 at 8:19 am
You shouldve asked him what he thinks about Army Boy and him makin fun of his video……..
http://www.dailymotion.com/videos/relevance/search/Crank+dat/1
August 28th, 2007 at 8:20 am
wacckkkkkkk ……..
August 28th, 2007 at 8:25 am
You shouldve asked him what he thinks about army boy makin fun of his song
http://www.dailymotion.com/videos/relevance/search/Crank+dat/1
August 28th, 2007 at 8:30 am
You shouldve asked him what he thinks about Army boy makin fun of his song
August 28th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Well Hip-Hop is going around in a Cycle:
Low records sales but high popularity city wide/region
Not as much lyrical talent but the words rhyme and makes sense to the youth *sadly*
And now we have a new MC Hammer (without goin bankrupt yet)…
Just wait for the lyrics to matter again…
MY PEOPLE MY PEOPLE WAKE UP!!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 8:55 am
YUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
SNAPP AND ROLL!!
August 28th, 2007 at 8:59 am
AYE YO SON IM NOT HATIN BUT SOULJA BOY CANT RAP I TALKED TO HIM LAST NIGHT ON THATSHIPHOP.COM/CHAT DJ GREEN LANTERN BROADCAST EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 10-1AM EST THEY PUT SOULJA BOY ON BLAST (LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE THAT WALKS THRU THE DOOR) 2 A FREESTYLE CUZ SPIT THE WORST 16 I EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE AND IT AINT RHYME…. I CALLED IN AND ASKED HIM IF HIS SECOND SINGLE IS BETTER THEN CRANK DAT HE SAID YEA I ASKED HIM WUT THA FUK U WRITE ON YA SHADES WIT AND HOMIE SAID WHITE OUT -PEN HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH IM NOT COPPN THE NEW ALBUM BUT PROPZ FOR LIL HOMIE DOING IT BIG @ 17 HATE IF U WANT BUT WTF WAZ U DOIN WEN U WAZ 17?
August 28th, 2007 at 9:04 am
WTF
August 28th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Good interview. Why are niggas postin if they just gonna hate on him? SMH
August 28th, 2007 at 9:22 am
hahah him and hurricane chris should be a sight to see. hopefully he sells more than kia shine hahah
August 28th, 2007 at 10:00 am
keep doing your thing i rather see young folks make music then killing big up 2 shreveport La all day
August 28th, 2007 at 10:17 am
“I got a couple of tracks that cover real hard topics”
Oh come on Soulja Boy? What u got? Batman that ho?
August 28th, 2007 at 10:17 am
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
August 28th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Niggas Git To Poppin Shit/I Hit My Trunk And POp My clip/Nigga fly Away On Some Superman Shit/Now Watch Me/Superman that Nigga(fly) superman That nigga superman that nigga (fly) remixxxxlol
August 28th, 2007 at 10:30 am
YOUHHHHHHH I LOVE SOULJABOY!! LOL
August 28th, 2007 at 10:52 am
fuc you wack ass niggas trying to get his hustle
August 28th, 2007 at 11:09 am
See even Soulja Boy looks up to 50 Cent.
CURTISSSSSSSSS!!!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 11:22 am
“RTNY: Being from the South, how do you feel about the negative criticism the South sometimes gets in the industry?
S.Boy: I think the people that do criticize the music-I think they’re scared because they’re use to listening to one type of music for so long and it’s stuck on their minds. And once something so different comes out that millions of people like; and once they hear it they automatically jump on the defense and attack because they’re not use to listening to it.”
…Bingo!
August 28th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
What else can i say but PSST.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
there u go this nigga is nothin but nice
August 28th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
hope he enjoys the year, cause he will be gone by the next
nigga bunz
August 28th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Its sad that majority of flks on the net r haters. If soulja boy wanna superman then fuck it let the man superman. I’d rather my kids superman then listen 2 say some up north rubbish about killing an slangin crack. Yall hating on him 4 what ? where your deal @ ? What r u doing to contribute 2 hip hop? What songs you got ? Where ya video @ ? last i checked i haven’t seen any of you hating ass ppl on BET OR MTV or any music channel, station etc. Im all 4 the NEW hip hop movement. Im so sick of you FAKE GANGSTER WANNA B’s. Im sick of hearing everybody play the hustler role its time 4 change. Dnt you dumb ppl c that the gangster role gets you killed or locked the fuck up. Us as blk ppl need to wake the fuck up real talk. Oh an REAL GANGSTER don’t post tough guy site ova the net. So all you wanna b net gangster really need a life. Again gangsters don’t post on the net
August 28th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Its sad that majority of flks on the net r haters. If soulja boy wanna superman then fuck it let the man superman. I’d rather my kids superman then listen 2 say some up north rubbish about killing an slangin crack. Yall hating on him 4 what ? where your deal @ ? What r u doing to contribute 2 hip hop? What songs you got ? Where ya video @ ? last i checked i haven’t seen any of you hating ass ppl on BET OR MTV or any music channel, station etc. Im all 4 the NEW hip hop movement. Im so sick of you FAKE GANGSTER WANNA B’s. Im sick of hearing everybody play the hustler role its time 4 change. Dnt you dumb ppl c that the gangster role gets you killed or locked the fuck up. Us as blk ppl need to wake the fuck up real talk. Oh an REAL GANGSTER don’t post tough guy site ova the net. So all you wanna b net gangster really need a life. Again gangsters don’t post on the net.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
YO REAL TALK NY ARE IS SO FULL OF SHIT WHAT’S UP WIT THE COMMENTS THAT WE POSTED FOR ARE 2 ASK SOULJA BOY WHAT’S UP WIT THAT SHIT LYING ASS MOTHERFUCKERZ
August 28th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
“YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU”
bwuhahahahah
August 28th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
random question…but wut tha fuck does smh mean..i been seein dat alot lately
August 28th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
random question.. does smh mean..i been seein dat alot lately
August 28th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
lets tip our hats hip hop is dying slowy and its no more to be said is marketing now is all about what sell i bet the label gone make more off him then he gets in pocket not hatin just sayin i mean look at mims this is why im hot was number 1 in the country and where is he now and i liked that joint is about being a true artist and stayin irreverent niggas makin one hot song and cant live up to the hype then gone disappear he wont be round next year
August 28th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
reason number 2390392039 y hip hop is dead. CRACK DAT
literally the dumbest song ever
im 19 and hate it so that whole new generation thing has nothin 2 do with it
granted its catchy
but no lyrically ability is need 2 make that song
its just some weeeded up broke black nigga talkin bout supermaning a hoe
wtf does it mean 2 superman a hoe?!?!?!
just another o i think they like me
and all them other one hit wonder dance moves
he spends half the track screaming and shit
this is not hip hop
tthey need 2 make a new genre for special people like him and everyone else who wants 2 just make club music this way hiphop doesnt have to be tarnished with this crap
and on another note
this is one of the reason y white people think we are crazy
August 28th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
*joke of the day*
Q: how do you know your a 1 hit wonder?
A: when your album debuts #65 on the billboard charts but your #1 in RINGTONE sales
August 28th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
i absolutely LOVE soulja boy , i wish more people would appreciate the fact that soulja boy is NOT making music to state a cause but just to have fun . if hip hop was all serious and shit , i don’t think it would be as very enjoyable .
hip hop is dead , hip hop is dying , go listen to punk rock then , mcr , taking back sunday , Him , linkin park . sheesh .
August 28th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
realtalk u ahatin ass nigga b erasin my niggas posts damn u cant let him get no shine i c how it is fuk ya lyfe nigga
August 28th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
truth: if you dont understand it dont hate n it get on its level. niggas do be hatin on shit they dont understand. all music isnt meant to be the same it isnt meant to catch the same reaction from everyone. music makes everyone feel something differnt thats why you have so many different types of music. in the case of soulja boy the beat is hard he introducing a dance through his music so what all does he need to say exactly? being a representer ofthe south i support artist from the south but i support all music im a fan of all music. keep it gutta like that whether you dig him or not he young black and becoming a successful young man who isnt out killing folk or committing robberies. BE EASY AND LET THAT MAN GET IT HOW HE LIVES! BLESS
August 30th, 2007 at 2:33 am
I like the song. It’s about having fun doin a dance and wtf is wrong with that? All music don’t have to be about bling and bitches. And to #43, SMH means SHAKE MY HEAD.
September 1st, 2007 at 5:01 pm
its not hatin on him
if ur nice ill give u respect no matter wat kinda music u make
but damn nigga
u makin money off dance movies
this aint disco
its hip hop
and being a rapper has nothin 2 do with ur dancing ability
people get shit confused now adays
back in the day a rapper was someone with swag and lyrical ability
being able 2 scream on a track and do alil dance doesnt mean ur a rapper sorry
October 15th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I’m gonna shank you in you sleep soulja boy. You so gay. Why are you so gay with your little homies. BY:CURTIS
October 27th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Soulja boy is so fine i meet him someday.mabye for my birthday on 3/12/96!
Love You,
Soulja Boy!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:51 am
soulja boy infino………..soulja boy is mint
February 9th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
yo soulja boy awsome songs man you rock add me on msn,facebook,peace dude