Soulja Boy Faces Arrest Amid Weapons Charges in LA

Soulja Boy, a prominent figure in early 2000s hip-hop, finds himself in legal troubles once again following his arrest on weapons charges, raising questions about the implications for his career and ongoing legal battles.

US rapper Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was arrested early Sunday morning in Los Angeles under alleged weapons charges, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The arrest took place around 2:35 AM in the Melrose neighborhood, during a routine traffic stop where officers discovered that Way, a passenger in the vehicle, reportedly possessed a firearm.

The 35-year-old artist gained fame with his 2007 hit "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," which not only topped charts but also sparked a dance craze that became a cultural phenomenon. However, his recent legal troubles have raised questions about his direction. Law enforcement charged him with possessing a firearm as a felon, complicating his status as a public figure.

Further muddying his public image, earlier this year in April, the rapper was ordered to pay $4.25 million to a woman who accused him of sexual battery and abuse. This lawsuit alleged that he routinely raped her, inflicted physical harm, and even held her against her will after she was hired as his assistant. Soulja Boy denied these allegations, claiming their relationship was consensual, but a jury in a civil trial found him liable for various charges, including sexual battery and gender violence.

As details about his current arrest unfold, the implications of these incidents on his career trajectory and public perception remain to be seen. CBS News, in collaboration with the BBC in the US, has reached out to Soulja Boy's representatives for a statement, but no comment has yet been made.