Soulja Boy Arrested in Los Angeles Traffic Stop on Felon Firearm Possession Charge Following 35th Birthday Celebration

4 August 2025

Soulja Boy performing in Las Vegas in 2024. Credit: Aaron J. Thornton/Getty

Late in the early hours of August 3 Soulja Boy was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department after officers pulled over the vehicle he was riding in on Melrose Avenue near Genesee and reportedly discovered a firearm in the passenger compartment per multiple news outlets including Entertainment Weekly and People. Booked at 6:18 a.m. on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a weapon the 35‑year‑old rapper, born DeAndre Cortez Way, remained in custody as authorities confirmed he was a passenger not the driver at the time of the stop.

The arrest unfolded just hours after Soulja Boy stepped out to celebrate his 35th birthday at West Hollywood’s Poppy nightclub where, earlier in the day, he'd premiered new music via a Twitch stream tied to the release of his February album The Influence. Social media posts captured the packed dance floor and a defiant caption stating “I don’t need no security” that underscored the evening’s unapologetic tone even as critics noted the timing of the arrest within hours.

News of the traffic stop drew swift comparisons to Soulja Boy’s earlier legal entanglements. In April of this year a California jury ordered him to pay nearly four million dollars in a civil case brought by a former assistant who accused him of sexual assault and wrongful imprisonment. Soulja has denied the claims and vowed to appeal the verdict citing cultural bias. His legal issues are an established pattern: in 2014 he was charged during another LA traffic stop for carrying a loaded firearm while on probation a matter that resulted in community service and probation rather than jail time.

In a statement issued after the city booking a representative declined further comment on Way’s behalf while LAPD declined to provide details on why the vehicle was stopped initially or identify other occupants involved. Both criminal justice watchdogs and fans reminded observers that under California law a convicted felon like Way cannot legally possess a firearm a violation punishable by up to three years in prison or more if prior convictions are counted.

Industry observers quickly noted the contradiction between Way’s own entrepreneurial drive and the repeated entanglement with weapon‑related offenses. As an early master of social‑media self‑marketing he rode Web 2.0 and YouTube to fame with the viral hit “Crank That” in 2007 delivering a moment that changed hip‑hop’s marketing and meme economy. His aggressive personal brand often tilted toward bravado but he carries a legacy of financial triumph and controversy in equal measure.

Critics within the entertainment and legal coverage community pointed out how the timing of the arrest during birthday celebrations and at high‑profile parties inked a system of self‑destructive publicity. That said Soulja Boy’s supporters emphasized his consistency in producing music independent of labels his fans cite loyal. His latest album The Influence has received modest traction on digital platforms with cult attention from longtime fans who see it as part of his reinvention attempt.

Meanwhile the LAPD released limited details and did not confirm whether the firearm was registered nor its make or operability. It could not confirm whether the charge remains in local custody or if Way has a bond hearing scheduled. Public booking logs show that he remains listed under a felony hold at the LAPD’s Wilshire Division jail.

Legal experts say prosecutors will likely treat this as a serious violation given the defendant’s prior record and current civil judgment. Being booked at 6:18 a.m., taken into custody from what was described as routine traffic enforcement, and accused of a crime involving firearms compounds the possibility of enhanced penalties under California Penal Code sections governing felon possession. Soulja Boy could also face probation violations depending on prior sentencing language.

The arrest sparked immediate commentary online with many users calling it the inevitable next act in a story where music and misdemeanor seem intertwined. Others debate whether mainstream media has treated Soulja Boy’s infractions with undue negativity compared with similarly situated rising stars, citing social scrutiny and cultural bias. But advocates for victims of assault and abuse see in his history a broader pattern that requires legal accountability beyond music legacy.

As of writing there is no record of bail being posted or bond being set. His legal team may seek release pending arraignment though his felony status complicates eligibility. With the civil case already in the punitive damages phase and the sentencing window open for this new arrest, Way’s public identity now blends music, media entrepreneurship, and ongoing legal risk.

The morning after the arrest fans woke to surveillance footage of a traffic stop that looked minor online while the tabloids painted it potentially historic. Whether this charge becomes another mark in a cycle of confrontation or a turning point depends on what Way chooses next. Can he pivot from legal battles toward property investments and label management or will he once again use his shadow-laced image to fuel controversy and clicks?

Attributing intent and accountability in celebrity controversy is never simple but here facts reign: he is a convicted felon accused of illicit possession, newly booked and facing possible prison time. His path ahead appears entangled yet unmistakably public. For now Soulja Boy’s brand remains simultaneously resilient and tarnished. It is a reminder that fame seldom shields against the law and that rhythms of Instagram stories can end abruptly in handcuffs.