Arrest of Soulja Boy during traffic stop on allegations of carrying unlawful firearms
In a surprising turn of events, Soulja Boy, the Chicago hip-hop artist known for his 2007 hit "Crank That (Soulja Boy)", was arrested in Los Angeles on August 4, 2025. The arrest occurred during a traffic stop in the Fairfax District, with the rapper being a passenger in a vehicle stopped near the intersection of Melrose and Genesee avenues[1][2][3].
According to reports by Itzel Luna for The Associated Press, Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was booked into jail in the Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire Division at around 6 a.m. The arrest was on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm[1][2][3].
However, the Los Angeles District Attorney decided not to file charges against Soulja Boy due to insufficient evidence[4]. The incident prompting the traffic stop is not immediately available.
This is not Soulja Boy's first brush with firearm-related issues. In December 2016, he was arrested at his Hollywood Hills home for gun possession while on probation. For that case, he pleaded no contest and received probation and community service[1][2][3].
Additional background includes an April 2023 order for Soulja Boy to pay $235,900 in punitive damages related to an assault allegation from a 2019 party at his Malibu home. He denied the allegations, and this civil matter is separate from the recent arrest[1][2][3].
Furthermore, a representative for Soulja Boy did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment. The single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Soulja Boy received a Grammy nomination for best rap song for the track[5].
As of August 5, 2025, Soulja Boy, who is 35 years old, remains a subject of interest as the investigation into the incident continues. More details will be released as they become available.
[1] Los Angeles Sheriff Department's inmate database [2] The Associated Press [3] Variety [4] Los Angeles District Attorney [5] Billboard
- The arrest of Soulja Boy, a celebrated hip-hop artist, on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, generated headlines across general-news and entertainment platforms, as well as crime-and-justice segments.
- Despite the traffic stop and subsequent investigation, the Los Angeles District Attorney decided not to file charges against Soulja Boy due to insufficient evidence, navigating yet another firearm-related incident in his public life, which is a common topic in news about celebrities.
