Soulja Boy floated plans for his own awards show on X after calling out major ceremonies for passing over artists he believes helped shape rap culture.
“Might start my own awards show and give it to rappers who never got they credit,” he wrote. “NBA Youngboy, Chief Keef, Kodak Black, etc. no reason they never won a BET Award or a Grammy.”
The idea arrived days after the 2026 BET Awards and follows another DIY move from the Atlanta-born artist, whose legal name is DeAndre Cortez Way.
Weeks ago, after not being invited to Kai Cenat’s Streamer University, Soulja announced Rapper University, a Twitch-streamed Atlanta project for rappers, producers, creators, teachers, mentors, managers, promoters, guest judges and others breaking into entertainment.
“They ain’t invite me, so I built my own university,” he wrote at the time.
Applicants have been asked to submit a one-minute YouTube audition explaining why they should be chosen, but a premiere date has not been announced.
In April 2025, a California jury found the rapper liable in a civil case filed by a former assistant and awarded more than $4 million. His attorney said he planned to fight the verdict. The woman is demanding that the rapper sell his BMI royalties to collect.