Soulja Boy on Free Downloads, GZA, Sampling & Mixtapes
This interview with Soulja Boy is just too good. I think he was bred in a vat or something because he flips the script so easily on dated rapper strategies. Actually the vat reference is unfair and shows my advanced years. He's simply a 21st Century artist surrounded by dinosaurs.
Soulja Boy's not phased by downloaders grabbing stuff for free cause he still gets paid by the fans:
"Before I got signed, I never bought an album. If I really wanted a song, I'd type it [into the computer] and get it for the free. When I got signed, we cleaned it up. The old version [of "Crank Dat"] was me in my house on the computer...The next version, I went in Collipark's studio, got it mixed and mastered, and put it back out. For [fans] to pay for it -- that ain't nothing but love. They downloaded it and still bought it."
Sorry, GZA, game over:
"I wouldn't even rap against the Genius. I'd put up someone who was born in '66 to go against the Genius so it can be a tie...[In the video] he was looking like I stole his money or something. He's in Alaska. He's cold...He got famous for five little minutes, but he had to sacrifice a relationship with Soulja Boy. Now it's gone. I ain't gonna be like "F the GZA" 'cause I ain't never met that dude. But he says, "F Soulja Boy" 'cause he needed a buzz. Now he's back in Alaska."
On the economics of sampling:
"When it comes to sampling, I can do that. But you gotta clear it with the artist, so I just never did it. Basically when it comes to chopping, I sample my own voice 'cause I gotta get 100 percent of that money."
And why he won't be putting out masses of mixtapes:
"I ain't did mixtapes with DJs because I ain't need it. I got the Internet in the palm of my hand. DJ Scream hit me up, and I was like, "Yeah, that's a bet," 'cause I mess with DJ Scream...Other than that, I don't need no mixtapes."
Soulja Boy Tell'em is right.
Wow. Soulja Boi showing more candor than being at a local party everyday? Refreshing.
Posted by: Jarrett | January 23, 2008 at 11:15 AM
He's an interesting young fella!
Posted by: Clyde Smith | January 23, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Yule! He handled that GZA thing real smooth. Let's see if the kid is still around next year tho'.
Posted by: L. Cue | January 23, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Good to hear from you, Mr. Cue.
I saw something about Canhead Records just the other day and wondered what you were up to.
"Let's see if the kid is still around next year tho'."
Oh ye of little faith. His biggest issue is going to be what happens when he grows up.
You can see how tough it's been for Britney!
But till then he's got a serious run ahead.
Posted by: Clyde Smith | January 23, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Good article, soulja boy 5 minutes of fame are up! he got his 20,000 from the label they took the rest. music game is changing. all music will be free downloadsin the next 18 months.
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Posted by: free mp3 downloads | January 24, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Souljah Boy is correct and his career is every bit as legit as anyone elses that dropped in '07. In fact he's a new breed of artist that keeps production in house, cost low, and marketing inter-active. He's already made a little bit of history and more revenue than your average 'duffle-bag' rapper that chases "DJ Pay Me And I'll Spin Ya" Mixtape guy. In case you didn't get the memo, mixtapes are dead, played out, over! Souljah Boy is a smart young man and his music is exactly what Hip-Hop should be...FUN!
Posted by: Da Joker Lives! | January 26, 2008 at 06:49 AM
check out www.youtube.com/tyrandtv it has soulja boy fight with guy during studio session
Posted by: yahhhh | January 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM