Soulja Boy has been ordered to pay $4 million (£3.2 million) in damages to a former assistant who accused him of sexual assault, kidnapping, and abuse during a years-long relationship.
The rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was found liable in a civil case brought by a woman referred to as Jane Doe, who filed the lawsuit in 2021.
She claimed she began working for the Crank That (Soulja Boy) artist in 2018 and was subjected to repeated acts of violence and sexual abuse during her employment.
Doe alleged that just weeks after starting the job, Way sent her explicit photos and began a relationship with her that quickly turned abusive.
She claimed that when she attempted to leave, Way locked her in a room for three days, and during a separate attempt to leave, he allegedly raped and assaulted her.
According to USA Today, the woman testified that the rapper physically attacked her multiple times, with evidence including photos of her injuries and threatening messages.
One text allegedly read: “Shoulda killed your stupid a**,” while another stated: “I hope u die slow.”
Way denied the allegations, claiming he never officially hired the woman and that their relationship was consensual but “contentious.”
His legal team argued that the injuries shown in court could not be definitively linked to him and accused Doe of pursuing the lawsuit for financial gain.
During closing arguments, the woman’s lawyers asked the jury to award her $73.6 million, with attorney Ron Zambrano telling the court: “If you don’t believe my client, don’t give her a dollar. But if you do believe her, give her everything.”
He described in graphic detail the alleged abuse she endured, including being punched, choked, and locked in a room, and said Way once pointed a gun at her and threatened her family.
The woman delivered harrowing testimony during the trial, telling the court: “I didn’t even feel human anymore. I felt like an animal. I wanted to die.”
The rapper denied all allegations of abuse.
He claimed that the two had formed a personal connection and that she wasn’t a paid employee, but someone who stayed with him and helped with errands in exchange for accommodation. “We bonded,” he said.
His lawyer, Rickey Ivie, questioned the motive behind the lawsuit, telling jurors: “She wanted to be paid. Which is what this case is all about. Because it’s not about the truth.”
Despite the defence, the jury sided with the woman and found Way liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment, and non-payment of wages.
He was cleared of false imprisonment and constructive discharge. According to reports, he “smiled calmly” as the verdict was read out.
Back in April 2021, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office had declined to press criminal charges, citing “insufficient evidence to prove the alleged crimes true beyond a reasonable doubt,” a spokesperson told Rolling Stone.
This is not the first time the 34-year-old rapper has faced legal trouble. He was previously sued for assault and kidnapping in 2021 and ordered to pay $471,800 (£363,000) in damages. In that case, the woman alleged that Way had held a gun to her head at his home following a party.
Another woman came forward in 2021, accusing the rapper of domestic violence.
She claimed he kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant and pointed a gun at her. She later suffered a miscarriage.
