Early Sunday morning, law enforcement officials in Los Angeles took rapper and producer Soulja Boy, legally named DeAndre Cortez Way, into custody following a routine traffic stop. Authorities reportedly found a firearm in his possession during the incident, leading to his arrest on suspicion of illegal weapon possession by a convicted felon.
The 35-year-old artist, best known for his chart-topping 2007 single Crank That (Soulja Boy), was detained in the Melrose district shortly after 2:30 a.m. While details remain limited, initial reports indicate he was a passenger in the stopped vehicle.
This latest legal issue follows a separate civil case earlier this year in which Way was ordered to pay $4.25 million to a former assistant who accused him of sexual assault and abuse. The plaintiff alleged repeated violent behavior, though Way maintained their relationship was consensual. A jury ultimately ruled against him in the civil suit.
Way first rose to fame as a teenager with his viral hit, which also popularized an accompanying dance craze. His career has since been marked by both musical ventures and legal troubles.
No official statement has been released by his representatives regarding the recent arrest.
