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New Boyz, comprised of rappers Ben J and Legacy, emerged as influential figures in the music scene, bringing Southern California’s jerkin’ dance craze to mainstream attention and achieving significant chart success.
Warner Music Group promoted hip-hop act New Boyz by creating a social Facebook game based solely on the act, called “New Boyz: The World”. This virtual world social game hybrid was built around the rap duo of Ben-J and Legacy and launched on May 2.
Shotty served as a record label for the New Boyz, releasing their debut album 'Skinny Jeanz and a Mic' in partnership with Asylum Records.
Asylum Records was a record label partner for New Boyz, involved in the release of both their debut album 'Skinny Jeanz and a Mic' and their second album 'Too Cool to Care'.
Dominic “Legacy” Thomas and Earl “Ben J” Benjamin, born October 12, 1991, and October 13, 1991, respectively, formed the hip-hop duo in Hesperia, California. They initially met as freshmen at Hesperia High School, overcoming an initial rivalry to form a friendship based on a shared interest in music. Thomas, who had been rapping since age eight, taught himself to produce beats using FL Studio, while Benjamin, initially interested in football, developed a passion for rapping.Pooling their gift money to purchase recording equipment, they began as Swagger Boyz and promoted their first single, “Colorz,” on MySpace in 2008. Their official debut single, “You’re a Jerk,” released in 2008, brought them national recognition. The song peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and popularized the jerkin’ dance style. Their debut album, “Skinny Jeanz and a Mic,” released in 2009, featured the Top 40 single “Tie Me Down” with Ray J. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA, reaching No. 56 on the Billboard 200 and No. 8 on the Top Rap Albums chart.
The duo’s second album, “Too Cool to Care,” released in May 2011, demonstrated a move towards more diverse musical influences, selling 30,000 copies in its first week. This album included two more Top 40 hits: “Backseat” featuring The Cataracs and Dev, and “Better with the Lights Off” featuring Chris Brown. “Backseat” reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA, while “Better with the Lights Off” peaked at No. 38 and also earned RIAA Platinum certification. In 2011, they collaborated with Hot Chelle Rae on the single “I Like It Like That,” which peaked at No. 28 on the Hot 100, further solidifying their presence in pop music. The group also faced legal issues in 2012 when they were sued by Christian rock band Newsboys over name confusion.
After a period of individual pursuits following their official split in 2013, the New Boyz reunited for Nick Cannon’s 2014 film “School Dance” in a support role. They later teased a return in December 2021, and on January 18, 2022, they released “You’re a Jerk 2,” a sequel to their 2009 hit. Their discography includes several singles that charted on Billboard, such as “Break My Bank” with Iyaz (2010), and promotional singles like “Spot Right There” with Teairra Marí (2010) and “Crush On You” with YG (2011), showcasing their consistent output and collaborations throughout their active years.
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