The rapper behind “Crank That” faces legal trouble again after police reportedly found a firearm during a late-night traffic stop in Los Angeles.
Rapper and producer Soulja Boy, 35, was arrested early Sunday morning in Los Angeles on suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm, according to the LAPD.
Police say DeAndre Cortez Way, Soulja Boy’s legal name, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped around 2:35 a.m. at the intersection of Melrose and Genesee avenues. Officers reportedly discovered a firearm inside the car and detained Way at approximately 2:50 a.m., booking him on a felony charge.
As of now, it’s unclear whether he has been released or where he is being held. Way has not responded to requests for comment.
This arrest comes just months after a California jury awarded $4 million in damages to a former assistant who accused Way of sexual assault and emotional abuse. The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, alleged a hostile work environment and unpaid wages.
Way’s attorney at the time, Rickey Ivie, disputed the verdict, stating:
“It is unfortunate that aspersions and misperceptions of a culture were allowed to influence the trial. Mr. Way fully intends to pursue his post-trial remedies and to fight for a just result in this case.”
Soulja Boy rose to fame in 2007 with his viral hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and helped launch his career in music and entertainment.