The 35-year-old rapper, born DeAndre Cortez Way, was released after prosecutors dropped firearm-related charges stemming from a weekend arrest in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said it would not be filing charges due to “insufficient evidence.”

Way had been arrested after LAPD officers stopped the vehicle he was riding in for an alleged traffic violation near Melrose Avenue, just a stone’s throw from his own clothing boutique. A firearm was reportedly found in the vehicle, leading to his arrest on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a gun.

But after two days, the case had collapsed. “The case was declined due to insufficient evidence,” a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office confirmed to Billboard and Rolling Stone.

Within hours of regaining his freedom, Way returned to social media with a pointed but minimal statement, posting a stark black backdrop with the words “First day out” in bold white text.

The rapper’s legal troubles have become almost as familiar as his beats. Earlier this year, in April, Soulja Boy was ordered to pay $4.25 million in a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who accused him of sexual battery, assault, and gender-based violence. Way denied the allegations, claiming their relationship was consensual, but a jury found him liable.

His rap sheet stretches back even further. In 2014, he was convicted for carrying a loaded firearm in public and placed on probation, only to violate the terms later, which earned him an eight-month jail stint.

For fans of the early 2000s, Soulja Boy isn’t just another name in the news, he was a moment. His 2007 debut single, “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” exploded on the internet and dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. It was more than a hit; it was a cultural shift, making him one of the first artists to crack the music industry through sheer digital virality.

The song, and the dance that came with it, defined an era. But in the years since, the rapper has struggled to stay in headlines for his music rather than his missteps.

Despite the cloud of controversies, Way maintains a loyal fan base and a defiant presence online. Whether this latest turn of events marks a fresh chapter or another pause in a troubled cycle remains to be seen.

For now, Soulja Boy is outside!