September 9th marks the 46th birthday of the late Soulja Slim, a prominent figure in the New Orleans rap scene. Known for his grittiness and witty street lyrics, Soulja Slim contributed significantly to hip-hop before his untimely death. SOHH celebrates his legacy and remembers “Magnolia Slim.”
234 Views
As one of the founders of the New Orleans rap scene, Soulja Slim made significant contributions to the genre. His unique style and raw lyrics captivated listeners and solidified his place in the genre.
On November 26, 2003, right before Thanksgiving, tragedy struck when Soulja Slim was shot and killed in front of his mother’s home in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. This shocking incident cut short the life of the 26-year-old.
Murder charges against Garrelle Smith, the main suspect in Slim’s murder, were ultimately dismissed in the case due to the reluctance of witnesses to testify against him.
In 2009, Smith reportedly skipped a court appearance. Then, in 2011, Smith was later killed by gunfire. The murder of Soulja Slim continues to be a cold case, remaining a mystery to this day.
Soulja Slim is best known for his collaboration with Juvenile “Slow Motion,” and his singles, “From What I Was Told,” “Love Me and Love Me Not” and more.
“Slow Motion” reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, making Soulja Slim only the sixth artist to have a posthumous No. 1 song. “Love Me or Love Me Not” is his final music video, before his untimely passing.
The “I’ll Pay Fa It” rapper’s solo debut album, Soulja Fa Lyfe, released in 1994, gained significant attention and sold 90,000 units independently. Later, he released the EP Darkside in 1995. In 1998, he joined No Limit Records and released “Give It 2 ‘Em Raw,” which debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200.
It’s important to note the late rapper had affiliations with two prominent record labels in his career, namely No Limit Records and Cash Money Records. However, due to financial disputes, he departed from No Limit Records and established his label, Cut Throat Committy.
Despite his untimely passing, Soulja Slim’s legacy lives on. At the 2023 Essence Festival, honoring the 50th year of hip-hop, his sister G.I. Peachez, and their mother, Linda Tapp, took to the stage to pay tribute to the late rapper. His impact on the music industry and the New Orleans community is still felt today.
In a recent interview with Off The Porch, Soulja Slim’s family, including his sister and his son Lil’ Soulja Slim, discussed their plans to create a personable museum dedicated to preserving and honoring his legacy. They aim to showcase his impact on the rap scene and ensure his contributions are never forgotten.
Another New Orleans native icon, rapper B.G., has recently been released from prison after serving 11 years. B.G. also had a profound impact on the hip-hop community and collaborated with Soulja Slim, contributing to the southern rap sound that both artists are known for.
