Soulja Boy Teases 2028 Presidential Run: ‘A Bigger Vision’
The “Crank That” rapper says he’s “exploring what it means to bring that same vision to public service”
Source: Billboard · October 11, 2026 at 2:01 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —
Soulja Boy, the rapper who first broke the internet with “Crank That,” posted on Instagram on Saturday, 10 October, that he is “exploring what it means to bring that same vision to public service” and hinted at a 2028 presidential bid.
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The post, captioned “SOULJA BOY 2028,” listed four policy focus areas: economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, education, and the future of technology and AI. No formal campaign announcement or detailed platform was included.
The teaser arrives less than two years after the rapper performed at the Crypto Ball, an event held during Donald Trump’s January 2025 inauguration festivities. Soulja Boy later dismissed criticism of that appearance by saying he had been paid well for the gig.
The idea of a Soulja Boy presidency is not new; in January 2019, Saturday Night Live produced a sketch in which a parody of the rapper ran for president, with Chris Redd playing him and claiming credit for inspiring both Trump and Barack Obama. Soulja Boy shared the sketch on social media at the time.
The rapper, born DeAndre Cortez Way, framed the potential run as the next step in a career that has spanned music, business and technology. “From music to business to technology, I’ve always believed in thinking bigger and challenging what’s possible,” he wrote. “Now I’m exploring what it means to bring that same vision to public service. The future starts with a conversation.”
It is unclear whether the post signals a formal campaign launch or is simply a test of public reaction. The Instagram caption did not include any policy specifics beyond the four focus areas. The post was posted on the same day that Billboard, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation, published the story.
Soulja Boy’s rise to fame began with the viral success of “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” which he promoted himself online as a teenager. The single spent seven non‑consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007 and became one of the first songs to sell more than 3 million digital downloads in the United States. The accompanying dance helped write the playbook for the online‑first, self‑promoted music career.
His debut album, souljaboytellem.com, peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and he returned to the Hot 100’s top 10 with “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” featuring Sammie, which reached No. 3.
The story was published by Billboard on 11 October 2026.
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