Soulja Boy, the rapper known for his audacious “first to do it” claims, recently had to backtrack on one of his bold assertions. The “Crank That” artist admitted that fellow rapper Ludacris beat him to the punch in piloting an airplane.
This acknowledgment came after Soulja Boy posted a video of himself in a plane’s cockpit on October 12. The incident sparked a brief social media exchange between the two rappers, ultimately leading to Soulja Boy’s concession.
Soulja Boy’s Initial Claim: Another “First” for the Rapper
Soulja Boy’s cockpit video showed him confidently stating, “I was the first rapper to fly an airplane. Let’s go, we bout to get in the air.” He added enthusiastically, “You ready to do this? Let’s do this.”
This declaration was in line with Soulja Boy’s reputation for claiming numerous “firsts” in the rap industry. However, this time, his assertion was quickly challenged by fans and a fellow artist.
Ludacris, who has been sharing his own piloting experiences since 2021, responded to Soulja Boy’s claim. He simply left a thinking emoji in the comments, subtly correcting the younger rapper’s statement.
Ludacris: The Real First Rapper Pilot
Fans rallied behind Ludacris, prompting Soulja Boy to investigate further. After doing some research, Soulja Boy graciously conceded the title of rap’s first pilot to Ludacris.
“I just saw ur video you did it first,” Soulja Boy replied to Ludacris, adding a gold medal emoji. This retraction showed a rare moment of humility from the often boastful artist.
Ludacris has been open about his flying experiences in the past. In June 2021, he appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to clarify his piloting status.
The Truth Behind Rapper Pilots
During his Ellen appearance, Ludacris explained that while he owns a plane, he doesn’t have a pilot’s license. He described his flying experience as a “nickel ride,” a term with military origins.
“That’s something that’s called a ‘nickel ride.’ That term goes back to the military days. So, it’s my first time actually flying,” Ludacris told Ellen. He added, “I actually own a plane, but for all of these years, I’ve never wanted to become a pilot.”
Ludacris humorously explained his reluctance to get a full license, citing the rule against drinking alcohol within eight hours of flying. However, he expressed his intention to obtain a pilot’s license in the future.
The Impact of Social Media on Hip-Hop Claims
This incident highlights the role of social media in quickly verifying or debunking claims within the hip-hop community. Fans and fellow artists can now easily fact-check and respond to bold statements in real-time.
Soulja Boy’s willingness to retract his claim also shows a potential shift in hip-hop culture. It demonstrates that even the most boastful artists can acknowledge when they’re mistaken.
