Did Soulja Boy Diss the Troops, or Not?

(Military Times) Did he do it, or not?

I think that's a fair question to ask today, as a viral video of rapper Soulja Boy's supposed newest song rockets around the Internet.

As many blogs have noted, a video of the song "Let's Be Real" appeared online earlier this week. We can debate the musical merit until we're blue in the face. It's the lyrics that have many service members and military supporters up in arms:

F- the FBI and F- the Army troops
Fighting for what?
B--, be your own man
I'll be flying through the clouds
With green like I'm Peter Pan

Based on the video I linked to above, that sure appears to be Soulja Boy. However, the rapper has yet to mention it on any of his social networking sites, something he uses religiously. That means he's either feeling the heat now that his lyrics are under fire, or he's the victim (very small chance, here) of some kind of terrible Internet hoax.

If it is Soulja Boy, the irony here would be massive. He became popular in large part because of YouTube and other Internet sites - the exact way that his apparent disdain for military service came to light.

I think it's safe to say Marines won't be dancing to "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball again this year.

Tuesday he blogged an official apology to the entire United States military on Global Grind, saying that he let his words get the best of him:


I Am Deeply Sorry To All Members Of The United States Military Services And Their Families."


As an artist, I let my words get the best of me. Sometimes there are things that we feel, things that we want to express, and when we put them on paper and speak them out loud, they can come out wrong.


When I expressed my frustration with the US Army, not only did my words come out wrong, I was wrong to even speak them. So, I write this to give my sincerest apology to all members of the United States military services, as well as their families that were offended by my most recent lyrics.


As a young man who grew up in the post-9/11 era, I have watched our country fight two wars that seem like they are never going to end.


I have seen thousands and thousands of our brave men and women get killed in battle and often times, I think for what? A lot of people in this country are struggling to make ends meet and I think a lot about what if we had never gone to war.


Where would our economy be? Our schools, our after-school and work programs, our streets? I mean, damn, 48 people got shot in New York City just this past weekend ... in 3 days ... I'm not saying that it is just because of a bad economy, but at a certain point we have to take care of our own people.


In no way would I ever want to offend those who are protecting our freedoms ... a lot of homeboys who I grew up with, a lot of people who come from the neighborhoods we live in ... In no way do I want to hurt any of our honorable soldiers who put their lives at risk, regardless of how they feel about the two wars we fight in.


I am just frustrated that we haven't been able to bring you all home quick enough and my frustration got the best of me. I am deeply sorry.