The New Boyz are a hip hop group and jerkin' crew from Hesperia, California… Read Full Bio ↴The New Boyz are a hip hop group and jerkin' crew from Hesperia, California comprised of rappers Earl "Ben J" Benjamin and Dominic "Legacy" Thomas. After meeting as freshmen at Hesperia High School they released their debut single You're a Jerk, which was based on the local dance style of jerkin'. It became a national hit and paved the way for them to release their debut album Skinny Jeanz and a Mic in September 2009 and release another successful single, Tie Me Down featuring Ray J.

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.

Start Me Up
New Boyz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How did I end up in this club?
Man I swear I'm goin' crazy
And I cannot find my phone
And I need to call me baby
If she saw what I was doin'
She would probably wanna drop me
But I cannot stop right now
Cause right now this party got me feelin' good

Yeah, let's do it up tonight
Ain't worried 'bout tomorrow
Man I'm living life like a baller should
Yeah tell me we ain't goin' hard
This goes out to all of y'all (y'all, y'all, y'all, y'all)

All my party party party people come say what's up! (What's up!)
Yeah baby baby start me up
So a sexy sexy lady's gonna show me love
Yeah baby baby start me up
Party party people come say what's up! (What's up!)
Yeah baby baby start me up

I ain't on that pig tip but I be goin HAM
Hella boppers on my gold and some bottles in they hand
I don't see they boyfriend and they guys
That surround 'em when they near
Need a Twitter for my dick
You wanna follow be my guest I'm feelin' good
Function got me lit
Jealous of our taste, muggin' man I wish a nigga would
Yeah I call their bluff
If he set for the club, down so start me up

All my party party party people come say what's up! (What's up!)
Yeah baby baby start me up
So a sexy sexy lady's gonna show me love
Yeah baby baby start me up
Party party people come say what's up! (What's up!)
Yeah baby baby start me up

All my party party party people come say what's up! (What's up!)
Yeah baby baby start me up
So a sexy sexy lady's gonna show me love
Yeah baby baby start me up
Party party people come say what's up! (What's up!)
Yeah baby baby start me up

Start me up, me up, me up
Start me up, me up, me up
Baby start me up, me up, me up

Start me up, me up, me up
Baby start me up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of New Boyz's "Start Me Up" express the feeling of being in a club and enjoying the party lifestyle to the fullest. The singer is questioning how they ended up in the club while also acknowledging their wild behavior. They admit that their actions would not be supported by their significant other, but they are too caught up in the moment to stop themselves. The lyrics suggest that the party-goers are living life "like a baller" and have no concerns beyond the present moment.

The subsequent verse highlights the party atmosphere and the freedom that comes with it. The singer describes the women surrounding them, admitting that they don't see their boyfriends around. They assert that they are "feeling good" and "lit," owning the party scene. They dare anyone to stop them, and they are ready to go as hard as they can. The lyrics are repetitive, with the chorus repeating the phrase "start me up" and calling for all the "party people" to come together and have fun.

Overall, the lyrics of "Start Me Up" capture the uninhibited and carefree spirit of a night out in a club. The song celebrates partying and living life in the moment, even if it may not be sustainable in the long term. The repetition of phrases and catchy rhythm give the song a party vibe, encouraging anyone listening to join in the fun.

Line by Line Meaning

How did I end up in this club?
The singer is questioning how they arrived at the club, suggesting they may not have intended to come.

Man I swear I'm goin' crazy
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and possibly disoriented in the club environment.

And I cannot find my phone
The singer can't locate their phone, which may cause them anxiety or inconvenience.

And I need to call me baby
The artist expresses a desire to contact their significant other.

If she saw what I was doin', She would probably wanna drop me
The artist is engaging in behavior that they fear their partner will disapprove of or be angry about.

But I cannot stop right now
Despite their fears, the singer is enjoying the party and doesn't want to leave or alter their behavior.

Cause right now this party got me feelin' good
The singer is experiencing positive emotions and energy from the party atmosphere.

Yeah, let's do it up tonight, Ain't worried 'bout tomorrow
The artist is living in the moment and not thinking about the future consequences of their actions.

Man I'm living life like a baller should
The artist is enjoying a luxurious and carefree lifestyle, reminiscent of a successful athlete or celebrity.

Yeah tell me we ain't goin' hard
The artist is challenging anyone who doubts their level of partying or drinking intensity.

This goes out to all of y'all (y'all, y'all, y'all, y'all)
The singer is addressing the entire crowd and encouraging everyone to join in the fun.

I ain't on that pig tip but I be goin HAM
The artist is not consuming pork (for religious or personal reasons) but is still partying hard.

Hella boppers on my gold and some bottles in they hand
There are attractive women on the singer's arm, holding bottles of alcohol.

I don't see they boyfriend and they guys
The singer doesn't see any male partners or friends accompanying the women.

That surround 'em when they near
The singer is commenting on the freedom and independence of the women without any men around them.

Need a Twitter for my dick, You wanna follow be my guest
The artist is bragging about their sexual prowess and suggesting they could start a Twitter account to document their exploits.

I'm feelin' good, Function got me lit
The artist is enjoying the party and has been drinking or using drugs.

Jealous of our taste, muggin' man I wish a nigga would
The singer is confident and daring anyone to challenge their status or attractiveness to women.

Yeah I call their bluff, If he set for the club, down so start me up
The singer is challenging anyone who doubts their intentions or ability to party hard at the club.

Start me up, me up, me up, Baby start me up
The artist is expressing their excitement and readiness to party, requesting others to join them.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID GARY THOMAS, JONATHAN MICHAEL MCPHEE, LINCOLN FRANCIS S BEECROFT, WILLIAM BRODIE COUPLAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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