Patiently Waiting
O
ver the last few months you’ve probably heard the term “new west” getting thrown around. Typically it’s been used to describe the offerings of artists such as Nipsey Hussle, Jay Rock and Glasses Malone—artists who may be new, but are obviously cut from the traditional West Coast bandana cloth. But just as the early-90s “gangsta rap” era also came with groups like the Pharcyde, this “new west” movement also has act like Pac Div trailing alongside it. And in the coming months, expect an even “newer” west to come along thanks to Los Angeles-based teenagers Ben J and Legacy, appropriately named the New Boyz. “Everything is becoming positive out here. People are growing out of that old mentality,” says Ben J. “Rapping about gangs ain’t really what it’s about out here now. Everybody is having fun.” Legacy adds, “I think music like ours is coming from people being tried of the same ol’ thing. People thought they had to bang to be the cool kid but now the smart kid is the cool kid. People being creative are the people coming up right now.” Their hit song “You’re A Jerk” has teens from coastto-coast doing the accompanying dance and since their appearance at the 2009 BET Awards, a couple grown folks might get caught doing the dance too. The nimble dance step originated from the L.A. club scene, hugely inspired by the bassline from D4L’s “Beam Me Up Scotty,” hense the scratching of Fabo’s voice at the end of the song. “‘[You’re A] Jerk’ is the least lyrical song we have,” insists Ben J. “We were already making fun songs, but with ‘You’re A Jerk’ we just wanted to bring it outside of L.A.” Currently prepping their debut album Skinny Jeans & A Mic, the New Boyz are poised to take both their music and image beyond La La Land. Judging from the straight-to-the-point title of the album, people should know what to expect. “We don’t care about who’s talking about us. It gets old after while,” says Legacy, of those who criticize their style. “It’s like the bully in school. They talk and talk, but after a while they look stupid.” Electing to shy away from getting big name features on the album, the New Boyz vow to put on for their city by recruiting peers emerging from the same scene. Will they be able to usher in their own variation of the “new west?” We shall see. Words by Maurice G. Garland
10 // OZONE MAG