Soulja Boy reflected on his Hip Hop influence via Twitter on Tuesday (October 6). The multi-platinum selling rapper made a quick comment about his impact on the rap game and got a co-sign from KXNG Crooked a few hours later.
“I really changed the whole music industry,” Soulja wrote. “That’s crazy.”
Crook responded, “If you know you know.”
Although some fans may scoff at Soulja being influential due to their opinion of his music, it’s his marketing savvy that’s truly undeniable. Over a decade after releasing his breakthrough single “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” the industry has largely followed his blueprint since streaming became the main source of music consumption.
Soulja was one of the first rappers to become a star through his use of social media. When he was just a teenager, he was generating millions of views on YouTube and Myspace. While the latter platform is seen as a relic, YouTube is now an essential part of the music industry in addition to artists cultivating followings on Twitter, Instagram and more.
Record labels chasing after budding stars on the internet can be traced back to Soulja too. The immense fan base he built on his own through YouTube and social media is what led to him signing a deal with Interscope Records. This essentially became a model for Hip Hop in subsequent years as labels still look to scoop up artists who gain significant traction online.
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Soulja also proved that success in music didn’t require an elaborate studio setup. He created his music by simply using FL Studio software, earning a Top 5 debut on Billboard 200 with his souljaboytellem.com album.
He scored a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Crank That” in 2007 and earned a Grammy nomination for it in 2008. He wasn’t a one-hit-wonder either, reaching No. 4 on the Hot 100 with “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” and securing another Top 20 entry with “Turn My Swag On.”
The “Crank That” dance craze can even be seen as a sign of Soulja’s lasting influence. While snap music was left behind in the ringtone rap era, dances are still being used to create viral hits on platforms such as TikTok.
Regardless of one’s views of Soulja’s music, it’s impossible to discount the way the industry has followed his formula.
Crooked makes me sick. These dudes go against everything they stood for these days. Dude has zero career since SH
Agreed. Some of these dudes getting strange in they old age
Crooked is off the charts what the fuck are you talking about. Easily the best in the game no rapper out putts the amount of content out consistently, and every single track is straight fire. You say his career is wack because he chooses not to be a sell out, selling his soul for riches to dumb down the culture even more… you know nothing dont speak on such talent go bump your lil baby
i think he is alright. i buy his music.
The only achievement Soulja boy has is him defeating Supa Hot Fire. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! 😀
But then, SHF is not a rapper
How many times do we have to teach you this lesson Soulja, making ringtone rap and uploading your music to bearshare or limewire hardly counts as changing the whole music industry
SB definitely broke down barriers. Rappers used to have talent, skill, and respect before. Now..
His music may suck, but Soulja boy made a beat, song, and dance, and blew up! All on his own. That’s legendary
I’ve been saying that for years. All these new rappers owe him a couple dollars cause him doing that foolishness opened up the pandora box for the current state of hip hop