How did "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" go viral pre-TikTok?

Crank That (Soulja Boy) went viral through the power of MySpace and the YouTube phenomenon. Released in 2007, the track featured a catchy hook and an engaging music video that showcased Soulja Boy's charismatic personality. The song spread rapidly as users on MySpace shared links to the video, while YouTube views accumulated exponentially. This early form of social media virality laid the groundwork for future trends, including TikTok’s later rise. The combination of a memorable beat, visual appeal, and active user engagement propelled Crank That (Soulja Boy) into mainstream success long before the era of short-form video content.