- Soulja Boy Tell'em Plans 'Teenage Millionaire' Book
Covering his experiences in the music industry, book will be released in conjunction with Soulja Boy's album The DeAndre Way.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Soulja Boy Tell 'em
Photo: MTV News
Soulja Boy Tell'em has mastered the Internet and proven successful in the music industry, and now the "Pretty Boy Swag" rapper is set to try his hand at book publishing. The rapper plans to release a book called "Teenage Millionaire" in conjunction with his next album, The DeAndre Way, scheduled for release next month.
Soulja Boy told MTV News during his recent appearance on "RapFix Live," that his tome will be about his navigation through the music business.
"It talks about me making my first million dollars at 17 years old," Soulja Boy explained. "I talk about how my life changed. It talks about the music industry, everything I learned about the music industry — how I got into the music industry with my mind set, all the ins and outs that I go through. All the chapters break down my beliefs and what steps and methods I took to get in this position. I just go and break [them] down into detail. I just want all my fans to read it when my album drops and have a good read and feel where I'm coming from."
SB is currently enjoying the success of "Pretty Boy Swag," which rests at #12 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The rapper is in Los Angeles this week to shoot the video for one of his next singles, "Blowing Kisses."
In July, Soulja Boy told MTV News that "Speakers Going Hammer" would be his next single. "Basically, it's all about the sound of the music," he said about the Boi-1da-produced track. "I got bars on this one. First verse, second verse, all bars, another anthem, as far as the hook. The hook is catchy. The video is gonna match the song perfect. And it's another hit."
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Photo: Sohyung Kang/ MTV News
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- Soulja Boy Tell'em Calls Justin Bieber's YouTube Game 'Crazy'
'For him to be younger than me and have that amount of people tune in to him,' he says on 'RapFix Live.'
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Soulja Boy Tell'em
Photo: Sohyung Kang/ MTV News
Does Soulja Boy Tell'em have to watch his back online?
Justin Bieber has taken SB's digital playbook (YouTube, Twitter, etc.) and used it to catapult him to success. But when the two Twitter rivals — SB has more than 2 million followers to Bieber's gang of more than 4 million — connected to shoot a Nickelodeon movie earlier this year, they discovered they were actually fans of each other's work.
"He told me how he liked my songs and stuff like that," Soulja Boy revealed during "RapFix Live" on Thursday (August 19). "And I was really going off the stuff I saw on YouTube," he told host Sway of the Biebs. "His YouTube views was up there, and for me coming off of YouTube, that's crazy ... for him to be younger than me and have that amount of people tune in to him."
But while SB didn't make any plans, at least on-air, to collaborate with Bieber, he did accept an offer to record together from last week's "RapFix Live" guest, Lloyd Banks.
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old rapper is putting the finishing touches on his forthcoming album, The DeAndre Way, which is set for a fall release. His tentative next single is the Boi-1da-helmed "Speakers Going Hammer."
"Basically, it's all about the sound of the music," SB told MTV News last month about the track. "I got bars on this one. First verse, second verse, all bars — another anthem, as far as the hook. The hook is catchy. The video is gonna match the song perfect. And it's another hit.
Who do you follow on Twitter: Soulja Boy, Justin Bieber or both? Let us know in the comments!
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- Soulja Boy Says Kanye West Complimented His 'Dope-Ass Bars'
SB has also found a fan in Gucci Mane, he tells MTV News' Sway during 'RapFix Live.'
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Soulja Boy Tell'em
Photo: Sohyung Kang/ MTV News
Soulja Boy Tell'em is one smart kid. The rapper/producer was asked by Kanye West to supply beats, and while SB had 'Ye's attention, he decided to slip him a couple of his own tracks to see if the "Power" rapper would comment on his improved skills.
"Recently, this single that I got on my album that ain't out yet, I had recorded it and I had sent it to Kanye," Soujla Boy told Sway during "RapFix Live" on Thursday (August 19). " 'Cause he asked me to send him some beats, and I just wanted to see what he thought abut it. So I sent him two songs. One of them was like on an R&B vibe; I was still spitting, though, but I was singing on the hook. And then one of them was just straight rapping. I sent them to him, and he typed back on e-mail, 'Those were some dope-ass bars. I like your verse on it.' That made me feel good."
The "Pretty Boy Swag" star has been on a mission to up his lyricism on his next project, The DeAndre Way, after being criticized for simple rhymes on his first two albums, both of which were huge commercial successes. Earlier this year, SB told MTV News that West was a fan of his work. He also told Sway on Thursday that, in addition to Yeezy, Gucci Mane has become a supporter of the Twitter king's abilities.
"I been in the studio with Gucci, we did a song — me, him and Pharrell — and I spit a verse, and he told me I killed it," Soulja said. "Any time I get a compliment from somebody, that makes me want to step up my game and get better with my music."
What do you think about Soulja Boy Tell'em's improved flow? Let us know in the comments!
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- Soulja Boy Tell'em Will Answer Fans' Questions On 'RapFix Live'
MC Lloyd Banks also recorded a question for Soulja Boy to answer via MTV's live stream this Thursday.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Soulja Boy Tell'em
Photo: Rene Cerzantes
Mr. "Pretty Boy Swag" is in the building this week, and Soulja Boy Tell 'em will be the next artist to sit down with him for "RapFix Live," set to stream on MTV.com this Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
Anybody can ask Soulja Boy a question: All you have to do is tweet your inquiry to @mtvnews (be sure to include the hashtag #rapfixlive so that we can track your questions). If you'd rather show your face on the Internet, record your question on video and upload it to Your.MTV.com (just be sure to include "Soulja Boy Tell 'em" in the title of the clip).
The Teen of the South, now 20, follows in the digital footsteps of Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Fat Joe (with a surprise visit from Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who provided music for an impromptu freestyle by the Bronx rapper), and Lloyd Banks as a "RapFix Live" guest.
Last week, Banks exclusively announced he had inked a new recording contract with EMI Records for his next album, The Hunger for More. The G-Unit MC also took the opportunity to "pass the mic" to SB and ask the "Crank That" star a question.
" 'Pretty Boy Swag' was like one of my favorite records for the year," Banks told Sway. "I wanna know what the next joint is gonna be. And when I'm gonna get the phone call to be on it?"
Log on to MTV.com this Thursday at 1 p.m. ET to watch Soulja Boy answer Lloyd Banks' question and more!
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- Soulja Boy Tell'em Set To Star In Nick Cannon-Penned Flick
Rapper reveals production will start in November, dreams of future biopic.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Soulja Boy Tell'em
Photo: MTV News
Are the "Teen of the South" and the "chairman" of TeenNick joining forces? Soulja Boy Tell'em said he's set to begin shooting a film written by TV star Nick Cannon this fall.
"Me and Nick Cannon have been talking back and forth for, like, the last year about a movie idea," SB told MTV News. "I did a movie with him earlier this year with Justin Bieber ['School Gyrls'], and it went straight to Nickelodeon. It was a good movie, but it was mostly for kids. We were talking back and forth, and he wants me to star in a movie that he wrote when he was, like, 17."
According to the "Pretty Boy Swag" rapper, production will begin in November.
He was hush on additional details, but the 20-year-old star said he hopes his first foray into Hollywood isn't a one-stop trip: He eventually wants to shoot a biopic.
"I want people to know my story," he said. "Because a lot of people know Soulja Boy and know my songs, but a lot of people don't know where I'm from or where I came from, how I did it.
"A lot of people do know," he continued, "but a movie would paint the picture so much better. I wanna do a movie that's my story, my legacy; what got me here and why I'm still here."
In the meantime, SB is putting the finishing touches on his next album, The DeAndre Way, which is slated for a fall release. His next single, "Speakers Going Hammer," was produced by Drake collaborator Boi-1da.
"Basically, it's all about the sound of the music," SB told MTV News about the track. "I got bars on this one. First verse, second verse, all bars — another anthem, as far as the hook. The hook is catchy. The video is gonna match the song perfect. And it's another hit."
Do you want to see Soulja Boy on the big screen? Let us know in the comments!
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- Soulja Boy Tell'em Prepping Second DeAndre Way Single, 'Speakers Going Hammer'
'The hook is catchy. ... And it's another hit,' Soulja Boy says about the Boi-1da-produced track.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Soulja Boy Tell'em
Photo: MTV News
Soulja Boy Tell'em is basking in the success of yet another hit in "Pretty Boy Swag." But the young superstar is still keeping his promise to deliver more lyrically inclined numbers.
The "Crank Dat" rapper is prepping the second single from his forthcoming The DeAndre Way album, "Speakers Going Hammer," produced by Drake collaborator Boi-1da. And according to Soulja Boy, the song will show off his improving rhyme skills.
"Basically, it's all about the sound of the music," SB told MTV News about the track. "I got bars on this one. First verse, second verse, all bars, another anthem, as far as the hook. The hook is catchy. The video is gonna match the song perfect. And it's another hit."
Earlier this year, the teen rapper told MTV News he's earned the respect of some of his older peers with his new material. Soulja Boy said Kanye West has become one of his biggest supporters. The two reportedly worked together on a number of tracks for West's next effort. During their studio sessions, SB played the Chicago star some of his records and the result was surprising.
"When I was in the studio, I played him a couple of joints, and then he just said, 'Damn, he's really starting to go hard,' " Soulja Boy explained. "And I was like, 'Yeah, you feel me?' ... Out of all the artists to get the go-ahead or the co-sign from, it was Kanye.
"Me working with him, collaborating on different beats," he continued, "him showing me a lot of stuff I didn't know. Me showing him a lot of stuff he didn't know. He had an ear for my sound. Of course I had an ear for all the stuff he did. Genius! You know what I mean?"
Are you excited to hear a more lyrical Soulja Boy? What did you think of "Pretty Boy Swag"? Tell us in the comments!
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- B.o.B, Soulja Boy Tell'em, N.E.R.D, More Rock BET Awards Pre-Show
Drake, T.I., Nicki Minaj chat on the red carpet before main show.
By Hillary Crosley
N.E.R.D. at the 2010 BET Awards
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images
Before the 10th annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (June 27), N.E.R.D kicked off a pre-show by performing "Hot and Fun" on a Murakami-inspired flatbed truck, surrounded by fans.
Afterward, the guys chatted with "106 & Park" hosts Rocsi and Terrence J about their most anticipated show performances. "I got to see my man 'Ye do it," Pharrell said of Kanye West's opening performance at the main show. "It's gonna be hot."
Atlanta MC B.o.B followed, rocking his hit "Nothin' on You," featuring a new singer, Rico Barrino, filling in for Bruno Mars. Barrino, who is the brother of "American Idol" winner Fantasia, recently joined B.o.B as an artist on T.I.'s Grand Hustle record label, and their performance served as the singer's introduction.
T.I. came out to chat with B.o.B and Barrino following their performance. "This is my first time actually attending and being nominated three times," B.o.B said. "I feel like three [nominations are] a charm."
"I'm looking forward to the surprise performances," T.I. added, donning a blue suit with a matching tie. "[B.o.B] don't even know yet, but I hooked it up. I got you performing on the big stage. So I'm looking forward to that performance, and it's going to be a collaboration that the world ain't ready for."
In a nod to "Glee," the Crenshaw High Elite choir sang renditions of each of the Viewer's Choice Award nominees a capella, including Beyoncé's "Sweet Dreams," Rihanna's "Hard" (featuring Young Jeezy), Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" (featuring Alicia Keys), Trey Songz's "Say Ahh" (featuring Fabolous), Monica's "Everything to Me" and Young Money's "Bedrock" (featuring Lloyd).
Jermaine Dupri and his newest So So Def songstress Dondria were next up, dressed in all white and sporting a purple foxtail -- a trend for the evening. The pair performed a Bootsy Collins-inspired remix of Dondria's single "You're the One" over the beat of "I'd Rather Be With You."
A new West Coast group called CaliSwag followed with their performance of "Teach Me How to Dougie" before Drake chatted with Nick Cannon, who was also hosting the pre-show's red carpet.
"I'm performing this song called 'Fireworks,' a bit of 'Over' and a surprise," Drake teased.
Cannon also asked the wildy popular MC about his honesty on his debut LP, Thank Me Later. "When I was trying to figure out what approach I was going to take, none of the stories made sense," said Drake, sporting a black leather jacket, white tee, jeans and sunglasses. "I was like, 'If I'm really going to do this and really take it somewhere, I've really got to be myself.' So the more and more I started doing it, the more open I became and the more I was willing to share with my audience. Those are the best compliments: 'I love your music, I relate to it.' So I'm going to keep it going."
Performances by Mishon and Roscoe Dash followed (some of their dancers also sporting foxtails), and Soulja Boy Tell'em debuted his new single "Pretty Boy Swag" in an all-white outfit, complete with his signature white sunglasses.
However, the standout moment was Nicki Minaj's all-white bustier and flowing skirt with a train, topped with an orange Marilyn Monroe wig.
"Young Money better win something, because 'Bedrock' is platinum," Nicki told Cannon when asked what she was anticipating, before adding that last year, "I was watching this on TV."
Before the pre-show (which saw visits from Cassie, Lauren London, Ciara, J. Cole, Taraji P. Henson, Rick Ross, Diddy and Ludacris) ended, the president of BET, Deborah Lee, shared a little secret about Prince's Lifetime Achievement Award tribute.
"I know it's going to be an all-female tribute, and I did hear a little rumor that Patti LaBelle is one of the women," Lee said. "I know it's going to be fabulous."
What were your favorite pre-show performances? Let us know in the comments!
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- Kanye West Commends Soulja Boy's 'Hard' New Tracks
'Out of all the artists to get the go-ahead or the co-sign from, it was Kanye,' Soulja tells MTV News.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Soulja Boy Tell'em
Photo: MTV News
NEW YORK — Soulja Boy Tell'em has vowed to prove himself as an MC on his next album, The DeAndre Way.
For the effort, the rapper has already said he wants Jay-Z and Eminem onboard. So far, he's been in the studio with Kanye West, and Soulja said 'Ye was impressed with his upgraded material.
"When I was in the studio, I played him a couple of joints, and then he just said, 'Damn, he's really starting to go hard,' " Soulja Boy told MTV News on the red carpet of BET's "Rip the Runway." "And I was like, 'Yeah, you feel me?' ... Out of all the artists to get the go-ahead or the co-sign from, it was Kanye."
Recently, Soulja Boy and West have been collaborating on material for 'Ye's next album. West requested the teen sensation to help produce tracks for him.
Soulja Boy spoke to MTV News late last year, after he created three tracks "back-to-back-to-back" for West, and said the sessions were beneficial to both musicians.
"Me working with him, collaborating on different beats," he said of working with West. "Him showing me a lot of stuff I didn't know. Me showing him a lot of stuff he didn't know. He had an ear for my sound. Of course I had an ear for all the stuff he did. Genius! You know what I mean?"
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- Roscoe Dash Says 'All The Way Turnt Up' Is 'New Age Crunk'
'Roscoe, he goes hard,' Soulja Boy Tell'em says.
By Shaheem Reid
Roscoe Dash
Photo: MTV News
Roscoe Dash's "All the Way Turnt Up" is so hot that artists such as Ludacris and Lupe Fiasco had to jump on it and put it on their mixtapes — but Soulja Boy Tell'em openly lobbied via Twitter to appear on the record officially.
"When I first heard the 'All the Way Turnt Up' song, Roscoe reminded me of myself," Soulja said recently on the Atlanta set of the video. "I was like, 'That sounds like a "Turn My Swag On" times 10. I gotta get on that. Roscoe, he goes hard."
Dash, who is a new signee to Soulja Boy's recording home Interscope Records, obliged the request.
"The definition of 'All the Way Turnt Up' is a new age crunk — a 2010 crunk," said Dash, whose stage surname was inspired by the fastest of "The Incredibles." "I'm not afraid to be different, or do things other people would be afraid to do or do different because they're afraid of what somebody else might say. I don't have that thought process."
"Turnt Up" went through some controversy last year when Dash, born Jeffrey Johnson Jr., had guest stars Travis Porter on the record. They put the song out on their mixtape and fans thought the record was actually Travis Porter featuring ATL (Dash's former moniker) instead of the other way around. The trio have been dropped from the song, as Roscoe is trying to forge his own brand.
"When I heard the beat I said, 'I have to make something different than anything that's out right now,' " Dash explained. "Roscoe Dash is somebody who's versatile and has a big wide body of different sounds. I just run with it and make good music."
The video for "All the Way Turnt Up" premieres soon and Dash's debut album Ready Set Go! is slated for a May 11 release.
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