New Boyz are the 18 year old rappers that lead the jerk movement. They made the hit song "You're a Jerk." New Boyz started in 2008 as an underground youth phenomenon from the high desert of southern California, but in only a matter of months, they’ve become rising stars on a national level. In this short time period, 18-year-olds Ben J and Legacy have gone from shows in local high school gyms to performing on the red carpet at the BET Awards and booking an impressive lineup of concerts across the country.
This astounding jump comes from the success of their song “You’re a Jerk,” a hypnotic dancefloor-filler that the New York Times called “pretty much perfect.” Though it started as a favorite on MySpace, it has turned into a certified hit. It not only became the most requested track on influential L.A. radio station Power 106, but it’s taken over playlists around the country. During its first week for sale on iTunes, “You’re a Jerk” sold over 53 thousand copies.
The duo of Ben J (born Earl Benjamin) and Legacy (Dominic Thomas) met as freshmen at Hesperia High School in San Bernardino County. Both were part of the same extra large rap group, but then each left to become solo artists. With their October birthdays only a day apart, they pooled their gift money to buy rudimentary recording equipment. After Legacy transferred to a new school, they decided to combine forces as New Boyz, creating a sound, slang and fashion sense that’s made them the biggest hip-hop group to emerge from L.A. in years.
While “You’re a Jerk” has helped bring New Boyz global recognition, the song has also shown a spotlight on Los Angeles’ growing, and teen-driven, jerk music movement. Jerk music is a stripped down party sound, largely created on home computers for kids with crazy haircuts, and has been building in popularity around the city for years. The neon bright video for “You’re a Jerk” features appearances from many of the rubber-limbed dance crews associated with the scene. In fact, it was these dancers that helped popularize the song in the first place, taking it from MySpace to YouTube and eventually gaining the attention of radio DJs. “We just did ‘You’re a Jerk’ as another song, the fans are the ones that did all the promoting,” says Ben J. “They started making jerk video after jerk video after jerk video to it.”
Though “You’re a Jerk” is the first single from Skinny Jeanz And A Mic, their forthcoming album on Asylum/Warner Brothers, New Boyz is bigger than just one sound. “People think we only do jerk music, but we do a whole lot of everything,” says Legacy. “The album’s about the typical teenage life.” For instance, “Colorz” finds them repping the colorful clothing worn by today’s youth, while “Tie Me Down” takes on girls who are overeager to lock them down in relationships.
Though Skinny Jeanz & A Mic features the sonic imprint of modern movements like hyphy and Atlanta’s own teen rap madness, it’s also heavily influenced by the minimal bass and drum machine sound from hip-hop’s earliest days. While Legacy handled the distinctive production on half of the album, including “You’re a Jerk,” initially this move was done out of necessity. “I knew if we didn’t make our own beats, we’d have to pay people, and we didn’t have any money at the time,” says Legacy. “I had to teach myself to make beats. I’d watch YouTube for tutorials.”
For the rest of the album, New Boyz are going into the studio with Diplo, the internationally respected DJ and producer responsible for MIA’s “Paper Planes,” but are also working with other young L.A. producers including JHawk, Jukebox, Talent and Jay-Nari. The results only enhance Skinny Jeanz And A Mic’s celebration of teenage talent. “They’re kids like us,” says Legacy.
One Night
New Boyz Lyrics
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New Boyz (New Boyz)
Hey (Hey, Hey)
Ay (Hey, Hey)
But it was just a one night..
[Chorus]
She thought I said I loved her (she thought I said I loved her)
But baby, I'm hungover (but baby, I'm hungover)
and you need to realize (realize)
that this was just a one night stand
[Legacy]
I'm turnt up
just hit the function
lookin' for a bad bitch,
with the Gucci pumps and shades,
trying to find the one that'll come in
just get to lunch, then just get to humpin'
Checkmark, there goes one, no acne, with her hair all done
got her makeup on, bracelet on, and the heels make me wanna take that home
Should I take her to my room? Quick think.
I took her to my room, and we hit sinks, counters, dressers, sheets, stairs.
We got done, told her "You can sleep here."
The next day, I woke up at 12, at noon, I rolled over, and I screamed, "Who the hell are you?"
The fat chick said, "Damn, don't remember me baby?"
This shit crazy.
[Chorus]
She thought I said I loved her (she thought I said I loved her)
I think I said I love you (I think I said I love you)
But baby, I'm hungover (but baby, I'm hungover)
and you need to realize (realize)
that this was just a one night stand
[Ben J]
I'm turnt up
Yeah, I know how good
I get a chick who wanna kick it, now she wanna hit it
I don't blame her,
She know what's up, I said "wussup"
She came with the pumps, and she turned me up
She was cute, make up, nails and feet done,
long hair, arched back
Now that's the reason
To ??
You know what's up, lil' mami
We both faded, feelin' all types of naughty
She wanna wait to go for a fourth
But I only got one night, and my source
I endorce the fact that
attack the drink in me, the freak in me
The kink in her, she came to see me,
and I ain't gonna stand around, I'mma take her to the telly,
We can both roll around in, haha, and I ain't gonna let her in
I'mma kick her ass out ????? Haha!
[Chorus]
She thought I said I loved her (she thought I said I loved her)
I think I said I love you (I think I said I love you)
But baby, I'm hungover (but baby, I'm hungover)
and you need to realize (realize)
that this was just a one night stand
[Legacy]
(A one night)
Ayy
(This was a one night stand)
Your breath stink
I never liked you
Cause, baby, I was just drunk.
[Chorus]
She thought I said I loved her (she thought I said I loved her)
I think I said I love you (I think I said I love you)
But baby, I'm hungover (but baby, I'm hungover)
and you need to realize (realize)
that this was just a one night stand
The song "One Night" by New Boyz is a tale of a one night stand that goes wrong. In the song, the singer talks about how he just wanted a fun night with a girl he met at a party, but the morning after, he wakes up regretting his decisions. He can't even remember the girl's name and is disappointed that he gave her the wrong impression by telling her he loved her. Despite this, the singer tries to play it off as just a drunken mistake, telling the girl to realize that it was just a one night stand.
The song is a commentary on hookup culture and the regret that can come with it. While it may seem exciting to have a spontaneous hookup, it can often lead to feelings of shame and regret. The lyrics also highlight how alcohol can lead people to make poor decisions, such as telling someone you love them when you don't actually mean it.
Overall, "One Night" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of casual sex and the importance of being responsible and honest with your partners. It encourages listeners to think twice before engaging in a one night stand and to consider the potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
New Boyz (New Boyz)
An introduction to the musical group New Boyz
Hey (Hey, Hey)
A simple greeting or acknowledgement
Ay (Hey, Hey)
Another simple greeting or acknowledgement
But it was just a one night..
Acknowledging that the encounter being described was only a one night stand
She thought I said I loved her (she thought I said I loved her)
The woman involved in the one night stand believed that the artist professed love for her
I think I said I love you (I think I said I love you)
The singer believes that they may have said 'I love you', but they are not sure
But baby, I'm hungover (but baby, I'm hungover)
The singer is dealing with the after effects of their wild night, likely due to excessive drinking
and you need to realize (realize)
The artist wants the woman to understand
that this was just a one night stand
Emphasizing once again that their encounter was short lived and just for fun
I'm turnt up
The artist is excited and ready to party
just hit the function
They have just arrived at a party or gathering
lookin' for a bad bitch,
The artist is searching for an attractive woman at the party
with the Gucci pumps and shades,
Describing the type of woman they are interested in finding
trying to find the one that'll come in
The singer is hoping to find a woman who is willing to have a one night stand
just get to lunch, then just get to humpin'
The singer is interested in quickly escalating the encounter to sex
Checkmark, there goes one, no acne, with her hair all done
The artist has found a woman who fits their criteria and is attractive
got her makeup on, bracelet on, and the heels make me wanna take that home
Describing the woman's appearance and how it is appealing to the artist
Should I take her to my room? Quick think.
The singer is deciding whether or not to take the woman to their room for sex
I took her to my room, and we hit sinks, counters, dressers, sheets, stairs.
Describing the various places where they had sex throughout the night
We got done, told her "You can sleep here."
The artist allowed the woman to stay the night, but likely only out of convenience
The next day, I woke up at 12, at noon, I rolled over, and I screamed, "Who the hell are you?"
The artist wakes up and realizes that they do not remember the woman's name or who she is
The fat chick said, "Damn, don't remember me baby?"
The woman reminds the artist of who she is, but they are clearly disappointed in the realization
This shit crazy.
The singer is reflecting on the events of the night and how it turned out
Your breath stink
The artist is likely insulting the woman or questioning her hygiene
I never liked you
The singer is indicating that their interest in the woman was only for sex and nothing more
Cause, baby, I was just drunk.
The singer is blaming their alcohol consumption for their actions and feelings towards the woman
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DWAYNE NESMITH, EARL HOOD, ERIC GOUDY, RICO LOVE, TIARA THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind