“Crank That” by Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy’s “Crank That” is a song in which the rapper is also promoting a dance that he apparently created himself called the Soulja Boy. The Wall Street Journal offered a terse written description on how to pull the move off. But for a better understanding of its underpinnings, it would perhaps be better to resort to the music video

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Soulja Boy's Crank That at Lyrics.org.

So the chorus of the song is totally about performing the Soulja Boy, which includes ‘cranking’, as implied by title.

Controversy

Now there has been some controversy concerning a certain line in the chorus, where the move is climaxed by Soulja Boy advising the adherent to “Superman that ho”. Some analysts have put forth that said expression has a sexual, even relatedly violent or “inappropriate” connotation, made more disturbing by the fact that the rapper was just in his mid-teens at the time he uttered it. 

Presumably such individuals are the types who only really have a media knowledge of African-American culture (a theory which even Soulja Boy has sorta put forth). In other words, therein it isn’t particularly unusual to hear boys utilizing such terminology. But more importantly, within such an environment and in this type of lyrical framework, “Superman that ho” is a very ubiquitous statement. It is a statement that can even be interpreted like ‘bust that move’, you know, with an exclamation mark.

Verse 1

But that said, as we delve into the first verse Soulja Boy those seem to be using the phrase “ho” quite liberally. However, he does faithfully stick to the main topic, which is the dance. Indeed as presented, the Soulja Boy is more than a simple routine but rather one that’s, let’s say intentionally designed to draw attention. 

So for instance Tell’em may whip out the dance in the name of mocking haters. Or another way of looking at it is that this is the type of move that only a very confident person can perform in public. So when Soulja Boy does it, he knows for instance that it will highlight the fact that he wears expensive clothing, which is another way of taunting haters.

Verse 2

So now getting into the second verse, we come across this word “ho” yet again. This time it seems a lot more feasible that he’s talking about a female(s), but then again, who knows. After all, even Soulja possessing a less-then-respectable attitude towards women, it definitely isn’t a topic that he’s harping on. 

Rather, the verses are largely exercises in braggadocio. Yet even Soulja’s own flattering self-image takes a back seat to promoting the dance. But the dance itself is almost like, for lack of better description, peacocking. 

It’s not really about pulling the move off in some type of pre-set form or fashion.  Rather it’s like doing the Soulja Boy is also a form of self-expression.

Verse 3

Meanwhile the phrase “super soak that ho”, which first appears in the second verse, takes center stage in the third. Now the most common way this phrase would be understood amongst teens in the ‘hood is as literally referring to something like a Super Soaker. 

And a Super Soaker is a type of high-end, powerful water gun. So yes dear reader, we would presume that Tell’em is literally talking about drenching females with water, you know, in the wet T-shirt kinda way. So conclusively, it’s like Soulja is a naughty boy, the type you know is saying raunchy, at least during some parts of this song, but you can’t really catch him in the act, especially when also taking the video into consideration.

In the End

But at the end of the day, the true reason most people cleaved to this tune, with it actually proving to be a major Hot 100 hit, wasn’t because of any type of perceived sexual message. Rather it is the dance element which, as designed, comes across more forcefully than anything else. However, this being rap and all, of course Soulja had to also get some bragging, threats against opps, etc. up in there also.

Lyrics to "Crank That" by Soulja Boy

“Crank That” Facts

Artist(s): Soulja Boy
Writing & Production: The song was written and produced by the rapper himself
Release: May 2 of 2007
Album/EP: “Souljaboytellem.com” 

Soulja Boy explains "Crank That"

Was “Crank That” a single release?

Yes. “Crank That” was the lead single from his debut album., which goes by the title “Souljaboytellem.com”

Chart Performanc

  • US (1)
  • UK (2)
  • New Zealand (2)
  • Canada (5)
  • Belgium (6)
  • Australia (3)

Covers

  • Unwrapped (2008)
  • Funk Master (2009)
  • Derwood Bowen (2014)

Sampling

  • Jazmine Sullivan – “Bust Your Windows” (2008)
  • Tomppabeats – “Emotional Crank” (2016)
  • Saib. – “Smoothie” (2016)
  • Girl Talk – “Don’t Stop” (2008)
  • Beyoncé – “Drunk in Love (Homecoming Live)” (2019)
  • Saigon – “The Rules” (2009)

Interesting Fact

In 2016, Rico Recklezz a rapper from Chicago made a remix of the song. This was despite Soulja Boy earlier sending the Chicago rapper death threats for supporting fellow rapper, Lil Yachty. The “Crank That” author denied this.

Awards/Honors received by “Crank That”

“Crank That” was nominated for “Best Rap Song” at the 50th Grammy Awards. It lost to “Good Life” by Kanye West ft. T-Pain. The following songs were also nominated in the same category:

Crank That

1 Response

  1. tmoney says:

    Not a bad analysis. It was a hated song when it came out during my day but it has aged quite well beat wise.

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