Where did jerkin' originate?
Jerkin' originated in urban California in the late 2000s, with roots in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It was popularized nationally by Inland Empire-based groups New Boyz and Audio Push.
Questions about Jerkin'
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What are the basic moves in jerkin' dance?
The foundational move in jerkin' is the jerk, which involves moving the legs in and out. Other moves include the reject, the dip, and the pindrop.
Who pioneered jerk rap music?
New Boyz pioneered jerk rap with their hit "You're a Jerk" in Los Angeles. Audio Push followed with "Teach Me How to Jerk," and Arista Records later signed another jerk group, the Rej3ctz.
What fashion is associated with jerkin' culture?
Jerkin' culture is associated with skinny jeans in unusual colors, bright clothing, graphic tees, and high-top or retro shoes such as Chuck Taylors and Nike high-tops. The style was a deliberate rejection of the baggy pants look common in hip hop at the time.
What is the 2020s jerk revival and who started it?
In the early 2020s, New York rapper Xaviersobased and his collective 1c34 spearheaded a microgenre called jerk, drawing from original jerk rap but adding faster tempos, melodic synth layers, and off-kilter lyricism. Xavier's 2022 track "Patchmade," produced by kashpaint, is widely regarded as a foundational moment for the revival.
How did jerkin' spread internationally?
Jerkin' gained fans along the West Coast and East Coast as well as in Europe, particularly France and Germany, after breaking into the mainstream in 2009. The 2020s jerk revival also spread to the United Kingdom, where artists YT, Len, Fimiguerrero, and Fakemink were credited with driving a new UK rap movement.