Dad hears Soulja Boy for the first time...

[@Dejamonet___]

I think it’s important to touch on how Soulja boy influenced an entire era of DANCE rap songs. I.e: stanky leg, walk it out , pop lock and drop it, the dougie, hit em with that flex. This is why he was influential and maybe since You’re a little younger you aren’t well versed on that part of it. But this is why Soulja boy is so influential. Even up until now where there is ALWAYS a dance to a song.

[@l0tso75]

That part! the amount of dances i had to know before homecoming was insane but i was on top of it lmao

[@SoIceyyy1]

Omg literally just took the words out of my mouth. Don’t forget laffy taffy 🙂‍↔️

[@dannymartial7997]

Soulja Boy definitely made history. He led the transition from CD to mp3. I was there to witness it. EVERYONE had his song as their ringtone 😂

[@old_school_4ever]

I didn't have that sorry ass rapper as my ring tone. I had real rappers like DJ Quik, Geto Boys,

[@-taylord2am-473]

100%!

[@MugiwaraSosa]

I remember being 13 with a Nokia e63 and getting my uncle to Bluetooth me Soulja boys music haha

[@bsanchez3563]

Is mp4 have better quality from the audio portion of mp4 and/or ANY aac files vs mp3? Or is it equal about?

[@wynterseymour1471]

Soulja boy popularized the use of KZbin for artists. He dominated ringtones, “streaming,” dancing. A true pioneer for the culture

[@AriNoelle1]

Crank Dat was the first song in that era where its only purpose was the dance that went with it. Teach me how to Dougie, Walk It Out,stanky leg all inspired by Crank Dats success.

[@BlazeElyse]

Yessss! We were dancing the whole song 😂😂😂 These songs were meant to have fun and dance to.

[@snailwitnoname]

And the Whip!

[@superkato1k]

I could see Kai eventually teaching this specific focus of music history in a college classroom.

[@kaveh8104]

Just wait 10 more yesrs😂

[@lalap920]

Yes!!!!

[@brit331]

As someone who was in middle school at the time, Soulja Boy was literally EVERYTHING at the time. I literally called the number on kiss me thru the phone and he “called” me back 🤣 probably was some recording or something but i was SO excited

[@Laureena7]

Omg you just unlocked a memory! I remember that phone number too

[@startingQB]

Soulja Boy was so influential because he was able to be successful WITHOUT a label. He didn't need to talk about things drugs or violence. He didn't need a label to market him. The very first youtube star!

[@YassirFurqan]

He was the first artist to get famous from the internet. But Prince was the first to sale music on the internet and spoke about the boom of the internet that was to come

[@dirtydirtmcgogurt]

FTR - a "snapback" IS a flat-brimmed hat, as you stated, but the part you missed is that it's referring to the ones with the adjustable plastic strap on the back. He also wears "fitted" hats a few times in the video which are the MLB-style New Era hats with no strap on the back and come in specific sizes. Some people used to call fitted hats "59fifty's" as that's the name of the model of hat and is also displayed on a gold sticker on the brim. Sincerely, Old Man Whom Used To Crank That Upon Soulja Boy's Request Because He Had Already Previously Told Us All To Do So And I For One, Sir, Am A Stickler For Rules.

[@frontroom]

This is nothing but facts. Great description.

[@dirtydirtmcgogurt]

@@frontroom Thanks! Great Video!

[@leahsmithcarney]

Thank you for telling the rest of it.

[@kris2487]

Was skimming thru to see if anyone else brought this up

[@deadassdgaf100]

yo, if you ain't got that gold sticker, my boi - hang it up, throw it out, just NO.... what you even doin?!

[@GQ_totheWorld]

It’s to be noted that most of hip-hop felt the same way your dad did at the time when this first came out. Ppl hated it bcs it’s not lyrical and the music was so basic. At first nobody could make out the words that he was saying or what the song was about. All we knew was it was on the radio constantly and the kids loved it. Eventually ppl got used to it. One could say that this was early stage mumble rap. Somehow he was able to use the internet to create a buzz for himself, which nobody was doing at the time. He’s definitely an interesting character.

[@stevofla239]

Soulja boy is more Atlanta than anything. He was born in Chicago but moved to Atlanta when he was a little kid. His music career is definitely based out of Atlanta

[@thepeopleschamp1776]

You sure about that?

[@justlooking1087]

Thought he was in Mississippi when he blew up.

[@carolsmith319]

Batesville Mississippi

[@startingQB]

Naw bruh you wrong. Soulja had family in Atlanta so he would visit, but when he started making music, he was at home in Alabama or something. He started blowing up in 2006 on KZbin. Our dorm parties used to play all his and the other dance songs.

[@shirekaadams1676]

He moved to Atlanta later. He went to high school in Batesville, MS. The high school still plays the song he wrote repping the school at football games.

[@DeterminedFC]

Soulja boy is the literal first ever yotube artist ...and jimmy iovine really sorted tis man for life

[@PrincessTee1]

Definitely international success! We were cranking dat Soulja Boy in the UK too 😂🇬🇧

[@lungisanisbonelocele2903]

Im out here in south africa.. And i cem up on soulja boy

[@onesuaveg]

When the video for "Crank Dat" came on 106 & Park, my 15 month old nephew got up and took his first steps, trying to dance like his big sisters😮😂

[@vince5841]

And I bet walks crooked till this day

[@marcmardu]

Crank dat was a big hit in Brazil, people would still have the song on their phones until 2010, 2011

[@eslom517]

2005 graduate here. Snap backs were not a thing then. Oversized, straight billed, fitted caps were the only way to go. With the stickers still on the bill. If you had a snap back on, you were a dork. I figured Dad would not be a fan. You're right.. You had to be there. This song came out when I was in college. Keep up the good work! Love your videos!

[@JBWinter]

I graduated in 06 and remember the short resurgence of snap backs around the time - looking cheap was the point. I also remember all the old heads making fun of them 😅

[@prod.pgexotic6772]

He forgot to mention that he produced the beats for most of his songs

[@serg2gr831]

There will never be another Soulja boy….not even close. I was a freshman when crank dat came out and all the black kids were doin the dance and all the football players had the white shades with their name in white paint on the lens. He started a lot of movements which opened the doors for future rappers and was a big time trendsetter. He’s a living legend honestly. So many different “crank dat” songs came out after his

[@wynterseymour1471]

He made other artists start putting numbers in songs! They would call you back and send little texts. Such fun marketing! He had little animated videos on KZbin leading up to Crank Dat and had “Soulja Boy Tell Em” animated show but short lived that one. Being in middle school at this time was incredible

[@cynthiamckinney4276]

Sonja got that from Mike Jones who did it first. He put his number in his song and people were calling it

[@JesseMcLanahan]

These were three great songs. He def has a few more pretty good ones. Just simple and catchy. Also very underrated with all his marketing and viral things. He was very young when all this was happening.

[@AlexisLexLexi]

I can’t believe you shared this with your dad 😂😂😂 Unk “Walk It Out” next!!!

[@vince5841]

No.

[@Drea_PoOhBeAr]

Should’ve played Pretty Boy Swag

[@516Mel]

Yea I was thinking the Same, that was a big track for him

[@frontroom]

True, it was between that and turn my swag on. Pretty Boy Swag was the first Soulja Boy song I had ever heard haha

[@ddelsur2694]

Over his debut? Over his biggest song to date?

[@beefranco4789]

Also want to mention that bow wow and Omarion are in this video.

[@cynthiamckinney4276]

Yes he should listen to some Bow Wow.

[@Drea_PoOhBeAr]

OK now go back to your Jasmine Sullivan video reaction to ‘Bust your Windows out your Car’ and you will hear at the end that She will reference Soulja Boy song ‘Crank That’

[@kimbasciano_]

I still love “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” haha

[@simiraburley7205]

This was a fun time. He made music for folks to dance like Heavy D, MC Hammer, Kid N Play. When u think about it, that’s what TikTok became popular. Viral dances with music. Soulja Boy ushered in this current era we are in

[@l0tso75]

Please do some of the dance songs that came after this like "walk it out" or "teach me how to dougie" or "youre a jerk" or "lean wit itm rock wit it" so your dad can understand the influence soulja boy had!

[@dubdeuce1517]

I was a freshman in college in 2007. I remember my god brother showed me Crank That a few weeks before starting. I thought it was terrible. By the time I was in college we were all doing this dance in the club. lol. strange times. I didn't really like it then but it kinda grew on me. I did like the Travis Barker remix though. Edit: yeah, you definitely had to be there lol

[@SalemPhiladelphia]

I remember being in the 5th grade when this came out and yes, it was everywhere. I live in Philly and even my cousins in VA were singing his songs. Legendary

[@michaellambert4630]

A "Snapback" is actually a adjustable hat compared to the fitted hat that doesn't have the adjustable snaps in the back!

[@alskdkfjghd]

his impact can’t be understated 😭 we were in 6th grade in rural ontario screaming and doing the crank dat dance lol

[@MakeupByMilla]

This video was GOLD! Wow, what an era! I was a freshman in HS when crank that came out. I think it would be interesting to introduce your dad to Nelly, Chingy, Pretty Ricky and maybe even Young Joc. These artists all had moments in time where they were very popular and influential to "modern rap" in their local cites.

[@danielmuliira5363]

This guy was 6 in 2007 wow I was 23 back then . He's so young and he has a very good test in music.

[@shaylalatoya]

Dads adlib 😂

[@cebogumbi9274]

Soulja was massive in South Africa. A total culture shift and wave.

[@Redbird87Bluefrog]

His music falls into the dance anthem genre of music. Where the lyrics instructs the listener to dance the moves in the song. Like the cha -cha slide or even chicken noodle soup, which came out around the same time he came out.

[@BlazeElyse]

Totally agree!

[@janshelayyork8981]

My cousin produced the instrumental for Turn My Swag On

[@StantonDJJoker]

I can see dad trying to find the meaning... but there aint none! Lol

[@emmanuelmakoba6085]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@yolandaperry86]

Summer 2007 was so fun! This song was literally everywhere! You couldn't go to a house party or the club without hearing Crank That or seeing people do the dance lol 😂. I'm pretty sure he was actually the first music artist of any genre to go viral on social media...not just rap! And he's an independent artist that writes, produces, and makes all of his own beats himself. He would've broke Tik Tok with this dance if it was around back then lol😂. At that time there was literally an entire era of rap songs with dances to them so it was super fun😂. Oh and Sexxy Red has a new song with a Soulja Boy type beat and I believe he's in the video. Some people say that Sexxy Red is kinda like the female version of him. Her songs are fun and catchy although they are way more graphic sexually lol. She came from outta nowhere and blew up on the internet too. Soulja Boy is in a way like the original blueprint on how to become famous strictly from social media. So yea he is still influencing music today.

[@lolaDYM]

27:35 I was hoping he was going to show him "she got a dunk"

[@ENJvideo]

Or report card lol

[@michaelgazi5644]

I feel like Soulja Boy was the most influencial rapper in terms of how he was doing certain things and how it was ahead of it's time. He was the first rapper to make a viral dance and he made that a huge part of the song so in the end the dance symbolized Soulja Boy himself. There's so many artists nowadays doing the same thing, creating they're own unique dances and moves so they can have something people can identify them with. He was also the first rapper to be using a full potential of the internet. He did everything he could to get attention from people and that is exactly what everyone is trying to do nowadays. He was also the first rapper to have super basic and repetitive lyrics, so I feel like if there was no Soulja Boy, there wouldn't be artists like Lil Pump or Lil Yachty because Soulja boy has lowered the standards of rap music. Don't get me wrong he still made good music but he didn't have an amazing lyrics or beats. He was just having fun which is what these new artists claim to do as well. I think that in terms of sound, he probably didn't influence new artists as much, his sound actually progressed over time, I feel like he was doing very modern sound until 2014. After that he kind of started fading away when the new artists like Future, Travis, Migos, Young Thug and others started getting popular.

[@mr.bigweld8138]

There is no denying he is incredibly influential I wa surprised Kai said that at the end tbh. He even has the blown out bass that is used a lot in the new wave of trap in his song “the vampire gang”

[@SoIceyyy1]

If you think about it, it’s not about being at the right time. It’s about creating something that will connect you even without words, crank dat went viral all over the world. This is why tik tok dances/trends go viral because humans like to imitate, follow trends, etc…. hence why @Soulja Boy went viral and created a whole dance movement

[@ComaToast1]

Bro glad you did this reaction and showed Soulja his respect that he literally deserves😊

[@neomogale8782]

This brings me so much nostalgia, growing up in South Africa. This was definitely internationally popular

[@Shana222]

Soulja Boy was popular on BEBO lol IYKYK 😂😂

[@w912smith]

There would be no Tik Tok dances, viral dance challenges, YT/IG dance challenges w/o Soulja Boy 😎

[@Straightprimo]

Dang now that Dad mentioned it Soulja is a lot like Master P 👍🏼 👍🏼

[@sladebash6429]

Please listen to more OutKast if you want ur Dad to be blown away for real

[@zachp5701]

I thought you showing your pops future was bad but this is even worse 😂

[@ShaKeishaGarner]

Drake stole his whole flow, word for word bar for bar 😂😂😂😂

[@rainmwhop]

Bro said Chief Keef is a good artist🫣. Soulja Boy was that dude fr

[@04mancusos]

I was 15 when Crank That went big in the UK, and it was a moment. Everyone was sharing it on their phones and Infaredding the music haha

[@OhKayOh]

Soulja boy is definitely one of the most influential rap artists. Top 10. Thank you for explaining so perfectly for your dad to grasp what he did for modern rap culture. I loved this video. Your dad is so open and remembers all the details you tell him. He even brought up a reference to TI! aha

[@vredeling]

Soulya boy also the first of a generation to be totally oblivious of their own cultures pioneers.

[@MarkeySlaughter]

Lol nah I would have to disagree it was people after us I say maybe 2-3 years after mine thanks.

[@CaliCards95]

You’re too young to give history on Soulja Boy lmao it’s all good I applaud your effort

[@hollyvickers2497]

I remember the first time they played Soulja boy at a party, it was definitely a cultural moment!

[@MrMaddzkillz]

Of all stupid things to spend my time on I actually made an effort to learn how to do the Superman 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@CoolForSale]

Rubber band Man is not only a T.I. reference but a dope boy wears rubber bands signaling I sell drugs.

[@JesseMcLanahan]

MySpace was crucial. It’s where on the internet he blew up. Him, Dane Cook, Tila Taquila. Also I believe this to be one of the first song dance like “the dougie” etc. 07 I was in high school.

[@CagoEman23]

Turn my Swag on and Gucci Bandana are my two favorite Soulja Boy tracks. Throw some Ds is good too

[@skylor3772]

6 mins in and already my favorite video of you guys. Soulja boy is top 5 oat imo like you said he's an OG is there was no Soulja who knows what 2024 would look like I think he changed the landscape of music and entertainment in a great way. Would be great to show him more of like the 2010-2012 ocean gang swag era and ofc show him LIL B maybe even Riff Raff lol

[@jonas-j3h]

You forgot about pretty boy swag 😢

[@516Mel]

Yes, prob my fav track from him. So much swag

[@darrenwilliams4661]

Kiss me through the phone was his most clever song. He advertised a phone number on the track that gave people access to subscribe to a notification when Soulja boy realeased any content. I think half a million people or more was subscribed to it at the time that’s why he then excelled so far

[@PureEM1]

Soulja Boy is the king of utilizing everything for the benefit of his career BUT skill! This was funny Great review!

[@stevofla239]

Name a bigger moment in rap. This had the whole world crankin Dat soulja boy

[@moola92]

these type of videos are a great idea for your dad to catch up on some influental guys. really enjoyed it

[@KandyRenee]

I’m so happy you don’t downplay Soulja Boys IMPACT on the culture at all!! And what’s crazy is he’s so much more influential than you even explained (which was already thorough) and he really doesn’t get the credit he deserves!

[@aaliyahthomas1456]

Loved this! This was my music growing up lol. You have to do more dance rap. Pop lock and drop it, stanky leg, you're a jerk, the dougie, etc.

[@scoeethehomie]

The creator of streaming

[@wolfdesikan1766]

man i am HERE for this reaction.

[@volk1576]

Soulja boy aka big Draco 1st rapper to make a music Cicero on KZbin, 1st rapper to get paid from KZbin, 1st rapper to have an iPhone on the music video, 1st rapper to wear bape, 1st rapper to have a dance to his song, 1st rapper to have a console, 1st rapper to discover Travis Scott

[@shaftpunk84]

I’m old enough that by the time Soulja Boy was big I was already a disgruntled “old head” complaining about the downward trajectory of hip hop. Listening to this now, I still hate it.

[@DasherBeats]

It was the beginning of the shit show that was the 2010s, with a few exceptions

[@sidewaysbonobo2107]

I was 12 when crank dat came out and it was MASSIVE for kids from like 10-16 who were fairly new to the Internet. Not just in America but in the UK and other European countries

[@thepeopleschamp1776]

I've heard people refer to 'Turn My Swag On' as an inspirational/aspirational song. I can even remember being at a highschool basketball game and hearing 80% of the crowd singing it during the halftime show. It's fair to say that SB was the first rapper to go viral and capitalize on it. I'll never forget watching a livestream 15+ years ago where he had over 100k people watching. He said "I get 15 cents for every comment and every upvote". This was around 2009 or so.

[@getemdetric60]

Just found yall from the Stan reaction , pops won me over on the Not Like Us review , and I subbed as soon as I saw the Soulja boy video. Cause after seeing 2 videos I realized you actually know what you talking bout . Hell of a combo between the two of you and I’m locked in now 💪🏾

[@cedee103]

I remember when crank that video came out, this brings back so many memories. Soulja boy started an entire movement after this song. He made KZbin what it was at the time

[@Rad_Brad813]

you hit the nail right on the head with the explanation of the beginning of the "swag era". It wasn't really about name brands just yet. I remember every Monday I would get $20 for my weeks lunch money and would immediately stop at the corner store, on the way to school, and would buy a brand new "extra tall" white/black/blue T shirt for $5 and THAT WAS THE SHIT!! with some cheap $70 black or white Air Force 1 high-tops, or Fila straps. Not long after, brands like Ecko, G unit, Girbaud (their pants were HUGELY popular) started reigniting the streetwear scene, that WU wear-wu tang clan- famously forefathered in the early 90s.

[@Shaebutterbabyyy]

Also his music was always more popular amongst younger kids since he was also young himself. Even today with the dance when this song plays at a wedding or family party.

[@talkandeattv]

EVERYTIME i hear this song i dance, its literally apart of my DNA

[@ImCarpet]

I was 10 when Kiss Me Thru The Phone came out. I really didn’t even realize it was Soulja Boy until just now. I distinctly remember my older siblings playing it though. This entire video just makes me feel so nostalgic.

[@steppinonastoop677]

Now u gotta do D4L, Dem franshize boyz, UNK, and yung joc, and every other snap rap song lol

[@beefranco4789]

He’s not from Chicago. He’s from alot of places, though, including Atlanta

[@frontroom]

Born in Chicago, moved when he was 6 to Atlanta

[@Goddess_Isis]

Atlanta is where he hit the scene and blow up. SB is early 2000s atlanta black teen blueprint. He would pop up at schools across Atlanta spreading Crank That

[@marinaazevedo6918]

Crank Dat was definitely international. Here in South America, specifically in Brazil, we used to dance to it a lot. In clubs, family meetings, even in school 😅 Til this day, sometimes people put this songs in parties as a nostalgia moment and everyone remember the dance.

[@cc_xero]

I was hoping he would mention that Crank Dat was referenced by Jazmine Sullivan (Bust Your Windows) and Turn My Swag On by Beyoncé (Hold Up). Just speaks even more to how influential Soulja Boy was I was in secondary school (in the UK) when Soulja Boy came on the scene and man... his music was (and still is) corny as all hell but it's a bop, I can't deny

[@yami3960]

First young social media music legend.

[@carolsmith319]

He blew up in Batesville Mississippi! I was there for it ❤ Then he started claiming somewhere else🙄❤️

[@jyoungga]

You'll have to put him on to some busta rhymes party going on over here, hands where my eyes can see. Evolution of busta

[@Thewritingelf]

Been waiting for this

[@admetussenatorofthesullane7759]

Loved this! Also, this wasn’t the swag era. It was just before. The swag era was from 2010 - 2012

[@teamo4105]

Soulja Boy really ushered in that dance/rap era of Atlanta rap, he's not known for Chicago - he's known for Atlanta because of that crunk/rap/dance type of music...so much came out around that time and the rappers always had to have a dance to the song, most of the songs were named based on a dance

[@jamesovo37]

Can’t wait to watch this one when I get back home! Let’s go!! 🫡✍️‼️

[@littlemisstricky]

When you do a Soulja series you have to play the Breakfast Club club and a few of his rants.

[@therealjohncena760]

If u finna play souljah boi, u gotta explain the Crunk Era too. That lil Jon and the Ying yang twins eras. This sound in the south was super popular at the time. Jeezy would be a good example too. Just in relations to Souljah boi and crank Dat cause Crunk is a way different sound than most hip hop that your dad is even used to. This was strictly club/party music meant to get people to dance. There wasn't no real message to it lol, but it did alot for the genre as a whole

[@indigostar6886]

I was there!! Shit was lit 🔥

[@jjmar-k-z8874]

You said you were on the cusp of the Soulja boy wave. I was on the opposite end of that age gap. When crank that was big I was 22 and DJing in downtown Boston nightclubs. This generation of music was where it all began as a profession for me, so it will always have a place in my heart, but almost none of it aged well. I definitely agree that Soulja Boy was the first to use social platforms in the most advantageous way, but you can't exclude Mike Jones. He was the first to do the phone number hotline lyric. He always mentioned his website, the whole 9. If anything, Soulja Boy kinda bit that marketing maneuver but did it better.

[@Markyajv]

What is a snapback hat? A snapback hat takes a lot after the traditional baseball cap. However, the difference between the two comes in the closure system. While traditional baseball caps use the Velcro closure mechanism, snapbacks use a snap enclosure at the back. One perk of the snap system is that you can adjust it for the hat to fit on your head. You will also notice that snapback hats have flat brims.

[@jarricah7920]

I’m sorry yall are haters Soulja boy is very important to hip hop and def was the 1st rapper to utilize the internet to his advantage

[@squeakynee]

I was a DJ during the whole Soulja Boy craze. His songs were requested so much that it led me to consider an early retirement from DJ’ing. I couldn’t take it anymore! 😂😂

[@niddoslav3825]

„Well, the high hats they go nuts“ damn straight they do haha. Dad knows his trap. 👍🏻 🔥

[@tslee3008]

The unedited is very different..crank that