Soulja Boy Draco, The Influencer
Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Please see full disclosure here.
It’s only right that Soulja Boy graces the pages of my website. He isn’t just a rapper—he’s a blueprint. He’s the OG social media expert. Long before TikTok challenges, viral dances, and monetizing YouTube content was the norm, he was building a digital empire from his bedroom. Known as a pioneer in using trendy dances and catchy music like “Crank That”, he cracked the internet hustle before most of us knew what monetization even meant. He built a large following and made money fast through social media platforms like MySpace and YouTube back in the day.
Here’s a quick story time for you: If you followed Soulja Boy Tell Em on Twitter in 2009/10 when it was just a few years old, you know that his age was entertaining. I remember he shared his music, dances, and whatever else late at night while I was up studying communications as a Georgetown University graduate student. It was a great time!
Fast forward to 2025 and Soulja Boy has caught my attention once again. But this time, on TikTok.
While scrolling on TikTok the other night, I randomly joined Soulja Boy’s Live video and he said to put #SODMG in your bio and then #SODMG in the chat and he would follow. I did that so fast which prompted him to say, “What’s up Kia, SMBC?” Then he followed me back as promised. Note: I think it was my SMBC edit that caught his attention! (I recently updated my TikTok name to Kia-Lillian 💎 | SMBC Mom Life.) You better believe I was hype for the next few days LOL.
Now I can’t stop seeing Soulja Boy everywhere! It looks like TikTok is his new favorite platform, since that’s where he’s engaging with his followers A LOT. He goes live on TikTok multiple times a day and he’s inviting fans to play games and interact with him. This is genius!
Soulja Boy dropped a new album on February 7, righteosly titled The Influence. His Swag Tour begins on April 11 in California with 30 dates booked across the nation through May. He owns a clothing/apparel brand SODMG and two Los Angeles brick and mortars.
Soulja Boy’s new game is available in the app store: King Soulja Run for all his loyal gamer fans. And last but not least, he’s got a digital download available on his website, How To Go Viral 101, for $19.99.
What can we learn from Soulja Boy Draco?
Creativity + engagement is King! Soulja Boy takes engagement with his audience to another level with his trendy dances
Even if you think he’s old news, digital marketers today should pay attention to his strategies. Give this man the respect he deserves in the social media world! What other rapper or entertainer is connecting with their fans on this level and succeeding thanks to social media alone?
In an era where content creation, digital side hustles, and personal branding are keys to unlocking freedom, Soulja Boy’s journey is more relevant than ever—especially for moms, creatives and entrepreneurs trying to carve out their space online. Let’s break down the real legacy of Soulja Boy—and how you can apply his digital genius to your own grind.
He mastered the art of tagging and search manipulation, sometimes even naming his tracks after more popular artists just to get clicks. It sounds wild now, but back then, it was guerrilla marketing 101—and it worked.
His viral hit “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” wasn’t just a song. It was a movement, and it was powered by the internet. In 2007, that track hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first song ever to sell 3 million digital copies.
Takeaway for side hustlers: Don’t wait for permission. Use the tools you already have. Be creative, be scrappy, and make noise. Soulja didn’t have a machine behind him—he was the machine.
He Understood the Power of a Personal Brand Before Instagram Was Even a Thing
Long before “content strategy” was a buzzword, Soulja Boy knew how to make himself a brand. The oversized “Soulja Boy Tell Em” sunglasses, the Superman dance, the DIY beats, the bold fonts on his MySpace page—it was all intentional.
He knew how to get attention and how to keep it.
He wasn’t afraid to be extra, loud, or different. He wasn’t afraid of memes or criticism. He leaned in—and as a result, he created a brand that stood out in an industry full of people trying to fit in.
He built his fan base organically—online, on his terms, with no gatekeepers.
And let’s not forget—he made his own beats, recorded his own songs, marketed himself, and even taught fans how to dance to his music. Sound familiar? That’s literally the creator economy playbook we use today.
Takeaway for content creators: Be bold. Be different. Be unapologetically YOU. Your brand is more than your logo or your color palette. It’s your voice, your vibe, and the way you show up online.
Ad: Remixable | How To “Remix” Your Business
He Monetized Before It Was Cool
Soulja Boy was stacking checks from digital downloads, ringtones, YouTube ads, merchandise, and endorsements when most artists were still stuck in traditional deals. He didn’t just go viral—he cashed in on his virality.
Years later, he launched his own game console (SouljaGame), dabbled in tech investments, started clothing lines, and continued pushing content even when critics doubted him. Some of the moves may have seemed outrageous, but they were always innovative.
The lesson? Don’t put yourself in one box. Multiple income streams = financial freedom.
He was the first to do it…literally
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Soulja Boy wasn’t just lucky. He was strategic, self-taught, and way ahead of his time.
Before the labels. Before the charts. Before the fame. Soulja Boy used the internet like a tool. In the early 2000s, while most artists were still passing out CDs and hoping for radio play, Soulja was uploading songs to SoundClick, YouTube, and LimeWire (yes, that LimeWire).
He mastered the art of tagging and search manipulation, sometimes even naming his tracks after more popular artists just to get clicks. It sounds wild now, but back then, it was guerrilla marketing 101—and it worked.
His viral hit “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” wasn’t just a song. It was a movement, and it was powered by the internet. In 2007, that track hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the first song ever to sell 3 million digital copies.
Takeaway for side hustlers: Don’t wait for permission. Use the tools you already have. Be creative, be scrappy, and make noise. Soulja didn’t have a machine behind him—he was the machine.
He Understood the Power of a Personal Brand Before Instagram Was Even a Thing
Long before “content strategy” was a buzzword, Soulja Boy knew how to make himself a brand. The oversized “Soulja Boy Tell Em” sunglasses, the Superman dance, the DIY beats, the bold fonts on his MySpace page—it was all intentional.
He knew how to get attention and how to keep it.
He wasn’t afraid to be extra, loud, or different. He wasn’t afraid of memes or criticism. He leaned in—and as a result, he created a brand that stood out in an industry full of people trying to fit in.
He built his fan base organically—online, on his terms, with no gatekeepers.
And let’s not forget—he made his own beats, recorded his own songs, marketed himself, and even taught fans how to dance to his music. Sound familiar? That’s literally the creator economy playbook we use today.
Takeaway for content creators: Be bold. Be different. Be unapologetically YOU. Your brand is more than your logo or your color palette. It’s your voice, your vibe, and the way you show up online.
As a side hustler, you might be starting with one idea—but don’t be afraid to evolve. Soulja went from ringtones to real estate investments, from music to merch. That kind of evolution comes from thinking like a brand, not just a person with a product.
He Never Waited on a Co-Sign
How many of us are waiting for someone to validate us? A shout-out. A collaboration. A feature. A deal. Soulja Boy? He validated himself.
He didn’t wait to be signed. He made his own beats. Uploaded his own music. Danced in his own videos. Made himself famous before the industry even noticed. And when the industry did notice? He was already too big to ignore.
Takeaway for dream chasers: Stop waiting. Start building. Whether you’re a mompreneur, a content creator, or just figuring out your next move—you don’t need permission to start.
He Stayed Relevant by Staying Online
Let’s be real—Soulja Boy knows how to go viral. Whether it’s a meme-worthy interview (“DRAAAKE?!”), a hot take, or a nostalgic freestyle, he understands how to use moments to spark attention.
He stayed tapped into the culture and never disappeared from the conversation. From TikTok to Twitch, he evolves with the platforms. That’s something most artists from his era couldn’t figure out. He didn’t fade—he pivoted.
If you’re a digital hustler, take notes. Trends change, platforms change, algorithms change—but if you stay visible, adaptable, and consistent, your brand can grow with you.
What Soulja Boy’s Story Means for Moms, Creators, and Hustlers Like Us
As a single mom and entrepreneur, I see Soulja Boy’s story as more than just a music journey—it’s a reminder that internet culture is power.
It’s not about being a rapper or going viral for clout. It’s about realizing that we all have the same access to the same tools. A smartphone, a Canva account, a Squarespace site, a social media strategy—that’s all you need to get started.
Soulja Boy didn’t have money or connections. He had vision, work ethic, and Wi-Fi.
So what does that mean for you?
Your blog can become a brand.
Your TikTok videos can build a business.
Your side hustle can replace your 9-5.
Your voice can reach the world—if you believe in it enough to put it out there.
The Soulja Boy Hustle Checklist (Because I Love a Good Checklist)
Let’s wrap it up with a little side hustle inspo, Soulja style:
Start where you are. No fancy equipment needed. Use your phone. Use your voice.
Create consistently. Show up online even if no one’s watching—yet.
Build your brand. What makes you stand out? Lean into it.
Monetize early. Don’t wait to be perfect to start selling.
Adapt fast. New platform? New trend? Try it.
Engage your audience. Talk back. Build community.
Own your IP. Your content is valuable. Treat it like an asset.
Collaborate smart. Don’t chase co-signs—build your value and let others come to you.
Bet on yourself. You are the product. Period.
Stay humble, stay loud. Don’t be afraid to market yourself. Loud hustle > quiet talent.
Final Word: Soulja Boy Did It First… But You Can Do It Next
Soulja Boy’s story is more than nostalgia—it’s a business case study in building an empire with nothing but hustle and Wi-Fi. If he could crack the code in 2007 with dial-up internet and MySpace, then what’s stopping us now in 2025?
Whether you’re building a brand, launching a blog, or raising babies while running your business (hey, me too!), remember this: The internet is your stage, and your content is your currency.
Soulja Boy showed us what’s possible.
Now it’s your turn to go viral—with intention.