US rapper DeAndre Cortez Way, known as Soulja Boy, was taken into custody early Sunday morning in Los Angeles under suspicion of weapons charges. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed the arrest, which occurred around 2:35 am local time in the Melrose area.
The incident began as a routine traffic stop, which led officers to discover that the 35-year-old, a passenger in the vehicle, was allegedly in possession of a firearm. This arrest marks a significant moment for Soulja Boy, who gained fame in 2007 through his breakthrough single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," which spawned a wildly popular dance craze.
The rapper's legal complications extend beyond this recent incident. Earlier in April, he was ordered to pay $4.25 million to a woman who accused him of sexual battery and abuse during her employment as his assistant. In a civil trial, a jury found Soulja Boy liable for sexual battery, assault, and gender violence, though he maintained that their interactions were consensual.
Media outlets, including CBS News, have reached out to Soulja Boy's representatives for comments regarding the recent arrest as well as the past allegations against him.
