Jer-Kings

The New Boyz, pioneers of the jerk music movement, discuss what’s on the horizon for the 18 year-old duo. The group offers insight on their new album, fashion trends, and their rise from obscurity to international fame.

By Christopher Windham

Human Nature magazine

The New Boyz – Ben J and Legacy – have lived a dream since developing a cult following with last year’s hit “You’re a Jerk.” The song, which was created on a home computer, went viral on YouTube, catapulting the 18 year-old Los Angeles duo from obscurity to the music charts and a national tour.

The New Boyz’ stardom also helped demonstrate the broad appeal of the teen-driven jerk music movement, and its accompanying dances and fashions.

“It feels good,” says Ben J. “We love it. We would have never thought we would have been doing this. It’s real awesome.”

This year, The New Boyz were nominated for BET and Teen Choice awards. They also joined rapper Ludacris on his national tour.

The group’s follow up album to last year’s “Skinny Jeans and A Mic” is due out this year. The album, “Too Cool to Care,” features the single “Break My Bank,” which is gaining steam on radio airwaves, the Internet and video music channels.

What’s more, Ben J is set to begin production on his first film “The Function,” a “House Party” style comedy about a teenager immersed in the dance-music scene who decides to throw a party to save his parents’ house from going into foreclosure.

The cast includes Ben-J, who is also producing the film, and other jerk movement stars such as Indigo Vanity and Young Ace. A tour will also be launched to promote the film.

The Beginning

It’s been a swift journey for The New Boyz, who met just a few years ago as freshmen at Hesperia High School in San Bernardino County, about 60 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

Since a very young age, the New Boyz have dreamed of becoming rap stars. In 2008, as the jerk movement grew in Los Angeles and other parts of California, the classmates decided to partner on a group that would capitalize on the new cultural phenomenon.

Using a home computer, Legacy downloaded the Fruity Loops beat maker program and would quickly go on to develop the perfect song to accompany the jerk movement: “You’re a Jerk.”

“We were going for an old school sound…like the 80s sound with something new,” Legacy says.

The song went on to become somewhat of an anthem for dance crews in jerking competitions that were being held not only in Southern California, but other parts of the country.

Soon, new artists such as Pink Dollarz, Fresh Boyz, YG, Asia Lynn, Aaliyah D3, Cali Swag District and Audio Push, who recorded another jerk anthem, “Teach Me How to Jerk,” would be called on for performances and record contracts.

Setting Fashion Trends

The fashion associated with the jerkin movement has been just as important as the music and the dancing.

In a rejection of the baggy-pants style favored by their older brothers or sisters, jerkers have preferred skinny jeans, worn in various bright colors and washes, with skin tight t-shirts to match.

The New Boyz fashion style was first inspired by a1980s-themed dress day in high school. Keeping with the trends from 1980s, the New Boyz and their classmates that day wore tight pants and other flamboyant clothing popular during the decade.

The New Boyz fashion style was first inspired by a1980s-themed dress day in high school. Keeping with the trends from 1980s, the New Boyz and their classmates that day wore tight pants and other flamboyant clothing popular during the decade.

The fashion associated with the jerkin movement has been just as important as the music and the dancing. In a rejection of the baggy-pants style favored by their older brothers or sisters, jerkers have preferred skinny jeans, worn in various bright colors and washes, with skin tight t-shirts to match.

The New Boyz fashion style was first inspired by a1980s-themed dress day in high school. Keeping with the trends from 1980s, the New Boyz and their classmates that day wore tight pants and other flamboyant clothing popular during the decade.

“We thought it was tight,” Ben J says. “From then on we started rocking skinny jeans.”

Ironically, the group says it has toned down much of its flamboyant clothing since becoming famous. Gone are the bright red pants, but the skinny jeans are still a staple of the outfit. Ben J. says the group frequents the popular mall clothing spot Hot Topic where his size 32 jeans are already skinny.

Legacy is a fan of belts, with the buckle being the key component. The group says cardigans are also in style when the weather is right.

Ben J and Legacy are pretty flexible about the sneakers they wear as long as the shoes have color and are not Nike’s Air Force Ones, which the group says are “played out.” Blazers are also on the “out” list for the New Boyz.

Dance Style

Despite the dress style associated with the music, the New Boyz say you don’t have to wear skinny jeans or be under 30 to do the jerking dance. For jerking, all you really need is a nice beat and strong legs.

“It starts in the legs and once you get that part down you can find your swag,” Legacy says. “Your legs are going to make you be able to do the move.”

Other forms of jerking such as the “dip” and the “reject,” which involves jumping back and forth on each foot like you’re jumping double dutch rope, require more energy but can be mastered with practice, the group says.

The Critics

With the entry into mainstream hip-hop, has brought criticism for group’s dress style and lyrical content. However, the group was quick to shrug off such attention.

“We rap about our lives,” Legacy says. “They don’t think we’re real because we not making music about selling drugs and gangbanging. We just rap about our life, going to clubs and girls.”

Legacy says he’s especially proud of his music when fans share stories of how the New Boyz and jerking has impacted their lives. “It feels good, he says. “I wasn’t even looking to be a role model.”

The group is also aware of the short career life of a teen artist and has laid the groundwork for other projects outside of music. The duo has been casted in an independent crime movie “818,” and has plans to launch a clothing line.

“We’re trying to push it to as far as it can go,” Ben J. says. “We’re not going to be mad if jerking stops. We did what we had to do to put it on the map.”