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In the autumn of 2007, Soulja Boy, a then-unknown rapper, catapulted to fame with his debut single, “Crank That (Soulja Boy).” The track not only dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks but also defined an era of hip-hop. After a decade and a half, the hip-hop sensation contemplates the potential impact of the track if released in the age of social media.
A Journey Back in Time
“This was before streaming, really,” Soulja recalled. “This was still in iTunes and ringtones. I would have went more viral right now than I did back then.”
Soulja Boy reminisces about the pre-streaming era when his career began. The world was still revolving around iTunes and ringtones, a stark contrast to today’s streaming-oriented music industry. The Chicago-born artist believes that “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” would have garnered more popularity in the current digital age.
The Potential of “Crank That” in 2023
“Imagine if I had TikTok! What the fuck?” he said. “You know how many people would have been doing the ‘Crank That’ dance?”
With a hint of regret, Soulja Boy speculates on the colossal impact “Crank That” could have had in 2023, with the advent of TikTok and other social media platforms. The viral dance challenge trend would have undoubtedly propelled his song to stratospheric heights, he muses.
Soulja Boy: The Unsung Hero of Modern Hip Hop
“When I came in the game they said I killed hip hop,” Soulja wrote. “But really, I birthed the new wave of hip hop with internet/streaming. Ahead of my time.”
Soulja Boy asserts that he pioneered the evolution of hip-hop in the digital age, despite initial criticism. He remained undeterred and continued to vlog his career, upload music online, and engage with his fans live – practices that are now standard in the industry.
A Legacy Unmatched
“Now everyone vlogs their career like me,” he said. “Now everyone uploads their music to the internet. Now everyone goes live for their fans. I started it. Thank me or not. Flowers/Credit or not.”
Soulja Boy’s influence on the music industry is undeniable. His early adoption of the internet and streaming platforms paved the way for the current generation of artists. Whether he’s given credit for it or not, his legacy remains unmatched.
