Throwback Thursday: How Batesville was Integral in Rapper Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s Fame

By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com

Soulja Boy is originally from Chicago but moved to Atlanta at the age of six. When he was 14-years-old, he and his father moved to Batesville, Mississippi. Photo via Flickr.

Throwback to 2007 when one song dominated every radio station—Soulja Boy’s “Crank That.” Soulja Boy has ties to Mississippi some might not know about. 

Originally from Chicago, DeAndre Cortez Way—better known by his stage name Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em—moved to Atlanta at the age of six.

At the age of 14, Soulja Boy and his father moved right down the road from Oxford to Batesville where his music career would launch him to stardom with the help of his father—who provided him with a recording studio—along with other connections he made in the music industry.

Photo via Facebook.

In 2005, Soulja Boy started to record music and place it on multiple media sites for exposure. However, it was not until 2007 when he recorded his debut single “Crank That” that he would find his first taste of success.

The single peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

From the success of his single, Soulja Boy also gained exposure through a trendy dance to “Crank That” that would lead everyone to the dance floor.

Following the success of his first single, Soulja Boy continued his success with songs such as “Kiss Me Thru the Phone,” “Turn My Swag On” and “Pretty Boy Swag.”

Now Soulja Boy resides back in the Atlanta where he continues his career in the music industry as a rapper, record producer and entrepreneur.