New Boyz

• Genre: Hitmakers

About

Whether you think the New Boyz encapsulate a vibrant new culture or the death of hip-hop probably depends a lot on your age. But the Boyz do have a lot of energy, and they have managed to stitch together a style -- sonically and aesthetically -- that is distinctive. Their fashion sense (tight jeans, retro concert tees, derby hats) is firmly urban hipster, while their productions recalls the skeletal retro hip-hop of the Cool Kids. Their video for "You're a Jerk" was one of the biggest YouTube hits of 2009 and inspired a dance that involves a lot of knee bends and sudden drops.

- Sam Chennault