Artist of the Month

Some call him an online marketing genius, some say he’s a one-hit wonder, still others refer to him as the YouTube phenom, but the truth is, this 18-year old just might be the “new face of hip hop.”

 DeAndre Ramone Way, aka, Soulja Boy has an impressive resume for a new comer.  With more than 3 million digital downloads of  "Crank That," over 700,000 copies of his debut album Souljaboytellem.com, and a number one single on Billboard’s Magazines’ “Hot 100” chart for seven weeks, Soulja Boy is demanding the musical industry to take heed and respect his talent.

 Reinventing the way artists makes money; Soulja Boy has carved out his own position in hip hop history. The Hip Hop Chronicle caught up with Soulja Boy as he sounded off about the importance of school and the concepts behind his current singles Kiss me through the phone” and “Turn My Swag On.”

HHC: What was your favorite subject in school?
SB: Favorite subject was computers.  I enjoyed all types of business classes.

HHC: What subject did you dislike?
SB: Math was my worst subject in school.

HHC: How important was education in you obtaining your career goals?
SB: Education is the reason some people consider me a success.  Education was instrumental for me becoming the individual that I am today. 

HHC: Have you always had a passion for music?
SB: Music has always been a hobby of mine.  I used to imagine myself doing concerts with thousands of people screaming my name.  I’ve always wanted to do big things within the music business.

I made my first beat when I was fifteen.  When I first starting rapping, I couldn’t get any producers to work with me and I couldn’t afford any beats so I had to learn.  My first beat was ok, but in time I got better

I’ve come along way since my first beat.

HHC: How has success changed you?
SB: I haven’t’ changed as a person, but I’ve changed as an artist and businessman.  I’ve always wanted to take my life and my career to the next level. 

If I sold a million records, next time I want to sell 2 million
If I have one number one hit, next time I want two number one hits
If I want to work with the best rapper, next time I want to become the best rapper

HHC: Critics thought you would be a one hit wonder, but you’ve had a lot of hot songs.  How do you come up with the concepts for your music?
SB: In terms of coming up with the concepts for my music, I’m a trendsetter.   When I go inside the studio I just talk about life experiences.  I write about what people can relate too. 

HHC: When you recorded “Kiss me through the phone” where you thinking of someone special?
SB:  Ummm.  Yeah, yeah, I had someone on mind when I wrote this song.  We were far apart and was just thinking about this individual, so I starting writing down my feelings.

HHC: In your song “Turn My Swag On” what message are you telling your fans?
This song is inspirational.    When you hear Turn My Swag On, it should motivate you to want to do better each day.  For the individuals struggling to get up that morning, the individuals having a bad day at school or at work, and for the individuals hustling to be a better person, Turn My Swag On gives you confidence to continue pursuing your dreams.  
This song is for everyone; the young and the old.  It’s not about how much money you have; it’s about believing that you can make it in life.   

Soulja Boy Sounding Off:
** My favorite artist is Gucci Mane…
** On my iPod I’m rocking Gucci Mane…
** My favorite food is Grilled Chicken with cheese…
** My most embarrassing moment was during the Ozone Awards and my pants fell to the floor…
** The two things I can’t live without my computer and cell phone…
** The person I most admire my parents…