Rap star Soulja Boy has launched an animated series online - starring himself.

The Crank That (Soulja Boy) hitmaker, real name DeAndre Ramone Way, released the first episode of Soulja Boy Tell'em: The Animated Series online on Tuesday.

The cartoon, a mixture of live action and animation, will follow the life of the star as he enjoys his newfound fame, before he is suddenly forced to go back to high school.

His character enlists the help of his pals to keep him out of the classroom by whatever means necessary, much to the fury of the school's principal, voiced by Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribiero.

And Brian Washington, Marketing Director for Soulja Boy's label Interscope Records, is delighted with the rapper's latest venture.

He says, "Soulja Boy is one of the most charismatic artists of his generation. His ability to speak to his fans and, just as importantly, the way in which he does so, makes him such an innovator in how music and entertainment is consumed and discovered today."