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Soulja Boy, the rapper behind the hit “Crank That”, has recently divulged the price tag for collaborating with him. Sharing via an Instagram Live session, he unveiled the cost of a feature, a show, and even an after-party.
“If you want a verse, it’s gon’ cost you a M,” Soulja Boy declared. This statement instantly sets the bar high, and perhaps, for some, unreachably so. But the rapper didn’t stop there. He shared more about his pricing structure, offering insights into the world of high-profile music collaborations.
“You want a show, it’s gon’ cost you $100k. You want an after party, it’s gon’ cost you 50 bands. We just turnt Texas up. This what it’s gon’ cost you. No cap. That’s just what it’s gon’ cost you.”
This transparency about rates may seem unusual, but it’s a bold move in an industry often shrouded in secrecy.
When it comes to charging for a guest verse, Soulja Boy isn’t alone. Many rappers base their rates on their industry status. For instance, back in 2022, Lil Durk announced that he had increased his feature price to $350,000. Lil Baby, another prominent rapper, also jacked up his asking price from $100,000 to $350,000.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, Lil Baby waived his fee for Vince Staples for a guest appearance on “East Point Prayer”.
Interestingly, some artists choose not to charge at all for guest appearances. Jay-Z, in a 2022 interview with Kevin Hart, revealed that he doesn’t charge artists for his feature verses. Instead, he handpicks his collaborations based on relationships.
Similarly, J. Cole has also expressed his refusal to charge artists for collaborations. He explained his stance on Lil Yachty’s podcast, A Safe Place, saying:
“Yo, bro, it’s just a bar, bro. I’m not gonna charge a na $2,000 a word. I don’t even charge na for the verse, I’m doing this shit because I’m inspired to do it.”
This approach, although less common, shows a different side of the music industry, where creative inspiration and relationships can sometimes outweigh financial gains.
In the end, the cost of a feature depends on the artist, their current status, and sometimes, their personal relationships within the industry. Soulja Boy’s $1 million price tag may seem steep, but in a world where fame and talent can command sky-high rates, it’s just another day in the life of a high-profile rapper.
