▶ More info about this video
“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” is the breakthrough hit by American rapper and producer Soulja Boy Tell’em (real name DeAndre Way). Released in 2007 as the lead single from his debut album souljaboytellem.com, the song became a viral phenomenon that defined a generation of internet-driven music and dance culture.
The official music video for “Crank That” has been widely viewed on YouTube, featuring Soulja Boy and his friends performing the dance moves that helped the song explode into mainstream popularity.
Background and Style
“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” was produced and written by Soulja Boy himself in a minimalistic hip-hop style influenced by snap music. Its repetitive steel-pan-inspired beat and simple, catchy hook made it instantly recognizable. Word of mouth and early internet promotion on platforms like YouTube and MySpace helped the track spread rapidly far beyond traditional radio channels.
Soulja Boy innovated by encouraging fans to create and share their own dance videos online, effectively turning the song into a participatory movement rather than just a track to listen to.
The Dance and Music Video
The dance associated with “Crank That” became as iconic as the song itself. It features a sequence of moves including hand cranks, heel bounces, and the signature “Superman” pose, all of which were easy for fans to imitate and share. The choreography sparked countless user-generated videos that fueled the song’s popularity even further.
The official music video, directed by Dale Resteghini, shows Soulja Boy and others performing the dance in various settings, including street parties and casual hangouts. Cameos from artists like Bow Wow, Omarion, and Rich Boy helped broaden its appeal.
Chart Success and Legacy
“Crank That” was a major commercial success, spending seven non-consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It became the first song to sell over three million digital copies in the U.S. and was among the most successful tracks of the late 2000s.
The track also reached top ten positions in markets such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, helping solidify Soulja Boy as a major artist in hip-hop.
Cultural Impact
“Crank That” is often credited with launching the era of viral dance songs. Its grassroots internet success prefigured later trends where songs spread largely through social platforms and user-generated content. Soulja Boy’s DIY approach and active engagement with fans online paved the way for future artists to harness digital communities for widespread recognition.
The song’s influence can still be felt today in the way modern artists embrace social media challenges and dance trends to amplify their music’s reach.
Why It Matters
More than just a hit record, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” marked a shift in how music could be marketed, consumed, and shared. At a time when digital downloads and online video platforms were still emerging, Soulja Boy’s success showed the power of internet culture in shaping pop music. Fans around the world imitated the dance, kept the song alive in clubs and parties, and helped cement its place as a defining moment in 2000s hip-hop.
Conclusion
“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” remains one of the most memorable songs of the 2000s, not only for its catchy hook and viral dance but also for its role in transforming how artists connect with global audiences. Its legacy lives on as artists continue to leverage social media and dance culture to make their music go viral.
Tell us what you think 👇
1️⃣ Do you like this music video? 👍 / 👎
2️⃣ Have you listened to this song before?
3️⃣ Would you like to see similar music videos on our blog?
Leave your answer in the comments 👇
0 Comments