New Boyz
| Company type | Hip hop duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Earl "Ben J" Benjamin, Dominic "Legacy" Thomas |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Hesperia, California , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Number of employees | 2 |
New Boyz was an American hip hop pair composed of rappers Earl "Ben J" Benjamin (born October 13, 1991) and Dominic "Legacy" Thomas (born October 12, 1991). They emerged onto the scene in early 2009 with their breakout viral track "You're a Jerk" from their first album Skinny Jeanz and a Mic. The single climbed into the top thirty of the Billboard Hot 100 and played a significant role in popularizing the jerkin' movement across the United States. Their follow-up single, "Tie Me Down", which featured Ray J, also secured a spot within the top thirty in early 2010. In May 2011, they unveiled their sophomore and final studio project, Too Cool to Care, which showcased hit singles such as "Backseat" featuring The Cataracs and Dev, alongside "Better with the Lights Off" featuring Chris Brown. Additionally, New Boyz appeared on Hot Chelle Rae's track "I Like It Like That", which reached number 28 on the Hot 100 chart.
2005–2008: Formation and Early Years
Benjamin and Thomas first crossed paths as freshmen at Hesperia High School. Initially competitors, their mutual passion for music fostered a friendship. Thomas began rapping at age eight after being inspired by a Bow Wow music video, whereas Benjamin initially intended to pursue collegiate football at San Diego State University. However, Benjamin’s interests shifted toward music upon discovering a talent for rapping. With birthdays just one day apart, they combined their gift money to purchase recording equipment. To avoid buying beats, Thomas self-taught beat production using Fruity Loops software. After transferring schools in May 2008, they officially formed their duo. Taking on the stage names "Ben J" and "Legacy," they started performing under the name Swagger Boyz on July 4, 2008, promoting their independently released single "Colorz" through a MySpace profile.
2009–2012: Skinny Jeanz and a Mic and Too Cool to Care
During the summer of 2009, New Boyz achieved national recognition with their single "You're a Jerk", inspired by the jerkin' dance craze. The track peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number four on Hot Rap Tracks. Their debut album, Skinny Jeanz and a Mic, launched in September 2009 under Shotty and Asylum Records, attained number 56 on the Billboard 200 and climbed to number eight on Top Rap Albums. The album’s second single, "Tie Me Down", featuring Auto-Tuned vocals from Ray J, peaked at number 22 on the Hot 100 and number five on Hot Rap Tracks.
In July 2010, New Boyz teamed up with Virgin Islands artist Iyaz for the single "Break My Bank", which reached number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their second studio album, Too Cool to Care, was released on May 17, 2011, reflecting a deliberate move away from their jerkin' roots toward a wider range of musical styles including rock influences. Legacy stated that this evolution was intended to broaden their appeal beyond the jerkin' audience.
The album’s second single, "Backseat", featuring The Cataracs and Dev, debuted on February 15, 2011. Too Cool to Care sold approximately 30,000 copies during its initial week. The third single, "Better with the Lights Off" featuring Chris Brown, initially entered the Hot 100 at number 61 as a promotional release before re-entering and peaking at number 38, contributing to increased commercial success for the album.
2013–2014: Break and comeback
On February 28, 2013, Legacy revealed on Twitter that they were in the process of creating their third studio project under Warner Music Bros. Records. Nevertheless, by November 9, 2013, member Earl "Ben J" Benjamin announced that the duo had parted ways to focus on solo ventures. He highlighted their achievements including chart successes, sold-out performances, and millions of organic views on platforms like YouTube and Vevo, stressing their desire to grow individually while recognizing their significant contribution to American music history. The pair reunited briefly for the 2014 motion picture School Dance.
2021–2022: Comeback
On January 18, 2022, New Boyz unveiled a follow-up to their 2009 single "You're a Jerk," after teasing their return in December 2021.
Legal matters
On July 9, 2012, New Boyz became involved in a copyright dispute concerning confusion with the Christian rock group Newsboys.
Studio albums
| Album title | Album information | Highest chart placements | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
US Rap | |||
| Skinny Jeanz and a Mic |
|
56 | 12 | 8 |
|
| Too Cool to Care |
|
41 | 9 | 7 | |
Mixtapes
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Foolie Tape |
|
Singles
| Song title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Rap | US Pop | AUS | CAN | NZ | UK | |||||||||||||||||
| "You're a Jerk" | 2009 | 24 | 13 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Skinny Jeanz and a Mic | |||||||||||||
| "Tie Me Down" (feat. Ray J) |
22 | 42 | 5 | 23 | — | — | — | — |
| |||||||||||||||
| "Break My Bank" (feat. Iyaz) |
2010 | 68 | 63 | 10 | — | 67 | — | — | — | Too Cool to Care | ||||||||||||||
| "Backseat" (feat. The Cataracs and Dev) |
2011 | 26 | — | 12 | 17 | 89 | 52 | 30 | 55 |
| ||||||||||||||
| "Better with the Lights Off" (feat. Chris Brown) |
38 | — | 13 | 23 | 90 | — | — | — |
| |||||||||||||||
| "FM$" | 2012 | 108 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Foolie Tape |
- |
"You're A Jerk 2" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Skinny Jeanz" |
colspan='14' style='font-size:90%' | "—" indicates no charting or release in that region. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Promotional singles
| Title | Release Year | Associated Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Colorz" | 2008 | Skinny Jeanz and a Mic | ||||||||||
| "Spot Right There" (featuring Teairra Marí) |
2010 | non-album single | ||||||||||
| "Crush On You" (featuring YG) |
2011 | Too Cool to Care | ||||||||||
| "Tough Kids" (featuring Sabi) | ||||||||||||
| "—" indicates singles that did not enter the charts. | ||||||||||||
As featured artist
| Track Title | Year Released | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications | Album Name | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US Pop |
CAN | |||||||||||
| "Are You Feeling Me?" (Keisha Liu featuring New Boyz) |
2009 | — | — | — | Template:N/A | ||||||||
| "Dancin' Around the Truth" (The Stunners featuring New Boyz) |
— | — | — | The Stunners | |||||||||
| "I Like It Like That" (Hot Chelle Rae featuring New Boyz) |
2011 | 28 | 15 | 59 |
|
Whatever | |||||||
| "Sex" (Colette Carr featuring New Boyz) |
— | — | — | Skitszo | |||||||||
| "Boyfriend" (Big Time Rush featuring New Boyz) |
— | — | — | rowspan="2" Template:N/A | |||||||||
| "I'm on a Roll" (Stefano featuring New Boyz and Rock Mafia) |
2012 | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Entries marked with "—" signify tracks that did not chart or were not officially released. | |||||||||||||
Music videos
- You're a Jerk
- Dot Com
- Tie Me Down featuring Ray J
- So Dope
- Found My Swag featuring The Bangz
- Cricketz featuring Tyga
- Break My Bank featuring Iyaz
- Crush On You featuring YG
- Backseat featuring The Cataracs and Dev
- Tough Kids featuring Sabi
- Better With the Lights Off featuring Chris Brown
- Dancing Around the Truth (the Stunners)
- New Kid Swag featuring Brandon Soo-Hoo from Incredible Crew
- Hot Chelle Rae - I Like It Like That ft. New Boyz
- FM$
- Stefano - I'm on a Roll ft. Rock Mafia, New Boyz
- Tydis - Make Me Say feat. New Boyz
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | We the Party | H-One & Stunner | Featured in a supporting capacity |
| 2014 | School Dance | Themselves | Appeared in a supporting role |