"UCLA Jerk Kings" change their name to "CITY KINGZ" to avoid lawsuits.

City Kingz, formerly known as UCLA Jerk Kings are one of the original viral video blogging pioneers in The Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement. The Crew was featured in the historic “You’re A Jerk” music video starring the New Boyz. BB and PropheT of City Kingz have recently emerged as one of Hip Hop’s most talked about acts with their smash singles “Addicted To Jerkin” and “ADHD”. I recently caught with PropheT and BB for a quick interview about what is new with City Kingz and why Shane is no longer in the Crew.


Shariff: So, how did you guys come up with your name and why did you change it from UCLA Jerk Kings to City Kingz?

City Kingz: We all sat down and realized that two of the ex members attended UCLA, and since people we're calling us the Jerk Kings anyways! There we had it : UCLA JERK KINGS.
But as far as legal issues we are now CITY KINGZ!


Shariff: I heard you guys have one of the most popular Jerk videos online, how many total plays do you have from all your videos?

City Kingz: We have over 7 million views in all of our videos put together (3.4 million in one of them)


Shariff: What made you guys want to make your first Jerkin video?

City Kingz: We we're a group of friends that liked to Jerk at parties and one day as a group decided to shoot around the Ucla college campus and be the 1ST WHITE KIDS TO EVER JERK on YouTube and the BEST. Which we we're successful at achieving.


Shariff: What made you guys want to start recording your own music?

City Kingz: We always had love for music and we've been recording artists since a very young age. When we made our first video, and it got millions of views in such short of time, we had realized that our own songs could have been playing in the back and getting major promo through the videos. It's all for the love of the music and dancing.


Shariff: How would you describe your Swagg as a Rap group?

City Kingz: Our image is basically clean straight edge kids but still the FLYEST WHITE BOYS AROUND!!!


Shariff: You were recently photographed by Hedi Slimane in VOGUE HOMME Japan. What did you think about the photographs?

City Kingz: It was great, Hedi Slimane is a well known talented photographer. It was like playing a soccer game with David Beckham! The shoot was a lot of fun and it went very well!


Shariff: How was it performing on the George Lopez Show? How did that come about?

City Kingz: It was a lot of fun! George Lopez saw our videos on YouTube. So he and Brandon T Jackson decided to get us to perform on the show! The producer contacted us and we shot the episode the following day! We will be back on the show really soon to perform Songs and dance more next time!


Shariff: How old are you guys and where were you born?

City Kingz: We're both 19, BB was born in Santa Monica, Ca., and PropheT was born in Casablanca, Morocco


Shariff: You just shot a new video for your song "ADHD", what was the concept for the music video?

City Kingz: We did, the video is out and it looks great, the concept basically was The Doctor informing us that we have ADHD and which is why we are hyper ALL THE TIME! We leave the office confused, go home, and we find out that a couple of our friends are having a party without us knowing!!!"ADHD" is all about having fun and being hyper which is what this movement is about!


Shariff: Have you guys done any celebrity collaborations?

City Kingz: Yes, we have a few collabs coming out really soon that are straight up RADIO SMASH HIT RECORDS! haha stay tuned.


Shariff: Do you guys have any plans to perform abroad?

City Kingz: Yes! We get all types of calls and emails from Countries that you would never guess the Jerkin movement would hit. We are soon going to travel abroad and perform in a city near you.


Shariff: Who is your favorite Jerk artist?

City Kingz: We like all Jerkin Artists no exceptions.


Shariff: What are the first 5 songs on your iPod right now?

City Kingz:

- Drake - Over
- Roscoe Dash ft Soulja Boy - All The way turnt up
- Kevin Rudolf ft Birdman Ft Weezy - I made it
- E-40 - Over the stove
- Lloyd Banks ft Juelz Santana - beamer, benz or bentley


Shariff: What would you like to tell the world about City Kingz?

City Kingz: We love all of our fans, keep supporting us, we're all about having fun, being ADHD, and staying FLY + CLEAN!


Shariff: What is the funniest movie you have ever seen?

City Kingz: "Hangover"!!!!


Shariff: Do you consider yourselves business men? If so, why?

City Kingz: Yes, very much so! We have our own CLOTHING LINE, PARTY PROMOTION COMPANY, and a PRODUCTION COMPANY.


Shariff: Why is Shane no longer a member of your crew, what happened and are you guys still friends?

City Kingz: We started getting a lot of offers from MAJOR Music Labels and endorsement deals because of our commitment and dedication to the business. We realized that Shane's interest and life time career plans did not match ours. We Respect his decisions and thoughts that is why we will always be friends and support each other.

Young Ace's Solution for the Economy in the 21st Century By,Shariff Hasan

When you read Young Ace’s interview, you hear a consistent theme of self-promotion. For individuals who have spent most of their lives promoting and marketing products and services, the idea of self-promotion sounds absurd and narcissistic. In the 21^st century, products are manufactured for a tenth of the cost in Asia and most technical services are being outsourced to India for a penny on the dollar. So, my question to all of my college educated readers is: What is left in America if products and services are being created and serviced overseas? Okay, let me rephrase that. After you graduate from high school or college, what industry do you decide to work in for long term stability? If you ask Young Ace, CEO of “Kream Kids” a Los Angeles based Jerk Crew, he would say the only thing worth promoting is yourself. I would have to agree with him, my suggestion is to find something you are good at doing, share it with people through technology around the world, or better yet, ask some of the local Jerkin kids in the neighborhood like Young Ace how they became famous and profitable on/offline. The thinking and practices of The Jerk/Skinny Jeanz Movement, as it relates to the commoditization of self and exploitation through the internet/social networks are, in my opinion, the solutions to resuscitate the world economy.

Don’t be ashamed to promote yourself. You are valuable and the world needs you!

Turnt-Up.com interview with Young Ace of Kream Kidz By, Shariff Hasan

The Kream Kidz are rising stars in the Los Angeles Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement. Because of the Hedi Slimane photo shoot, the Kream Kidz are some of the most visible faces in youth online culture internationally behind the New Boyz. I had a chance to sit down with the 17 year old CEO/Founder of the Kream Kidz, Young Ace, for an interview for Turnt-Up.com. (In this interview Young Ace informs us about his new record label.


Shariff: Who are the Kream Kidz and how did you come together as a crew?

Young Ace: THE KREAM KIDZ IS ME(YOUNG ACE), KID DOUGIE, JNASTY, FRESHMAN, AND KID KREAM. I MET KID DOUGIE THROUGH A CLOSE FRIEND AND WE JUST STARTED KICKIN IT FROM THERE AND THEN HE BROUGHT ALONG WITH HIM HIS COUSIN J.NASTY , SO THAT'S HOW WE MET. AND ME AND KID KREAM WENT TO THE SAME SCHOOL (TAFT HIGH SCHOOL) AND FRESHMAN IS LIKE MY LIL BROTHER AND WE PRACTICE TOGETHER EVERY WEEKEND WHEN HE'S AT MY HOUSE AWAY FROM THE VALLEY.


Shariff: When did you guys make your first Jerk video and how many views does it have?

Young Ace: WELL..... WE MADE ARE FIRST VIDEO AT TAFT HIGH SCHOOL AND ACTUALLY GOT IN TROUBLE AT SCHOOL BECAUSE WE DANCED ON THE ROO0F... AND THAT VIDEO ACTUALLY HAD OVER 1 MILLION VIEWS WITHIN 4 WEEKS.


Shariff : What is the most popular dance move right now?

Young Ace: THE MOST POPULAR DANCE AS OF RIGHT NOW IS THE "DOUGIE", IT IS ONE OF THE DANCES THAT HAS BEEN PULLED AND MIXED INTO JERKIN. YOU CAN ASK AROUND.. EVERYBODY WILL TELL YOU THAT I'M 1 OF THE BEST AT IT.


Shariff: How would you describe your Swagg?

Young Ace: I WOULD CONSIDER MY SWAGG DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE HAS A GOLD FLAT HAWK WITH A RED STRIP DOWN THE MIDDLE AND THAT MAKES ME STAND OUT. AND I CALL IT A FLAT HAWK BECAUSE ITS A MIXTURE BETWEEN A FLAT TOP AND A MOHAWK .


Shariff: You were recently photographed by Hedi Slimane in VOGUE HOMME Japan. What did you think about the photographs?

Young Ace: I ACTUALLY LOVED IT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SHARIFF HASAN FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR US.


Shariff: Thanks for the shout out!
Who is the celebrity you most admire and why?

Young Ace: TYGA (RAPPER), HE IS MY FAVORITE RAPPER AND OUR MUSIC IS VERY SIMILAR.


Shariff: Do you play video games less or more since you started Jerkin?

Young Ace: MY XBOX 360 HAS AT LEAST 12 POUNDS OF DUST ON IT...LOL.. THIS JERKIN THING HAS ME REALLY BUSY..AND IT’S MUCH FUNNER AND KEEPS YOU IN SHAPE. SO I WOULD HAVE TO SAY I PLAY VIDEO GAMES A LOT LESS NOW.


Shariff: Do you consider yourself confident of cocky?

Young Ace: YES. AND I BACK UP EVERYTHING I SAY. BUT I'M COCKY IN A GOOD WAY BECAUSE I SET THE STANDARDS FOR OTHERS ...ACTUALLY, I REALLY WOULD CONSIDER MYSELF A LIL BIT OVER-CONFIDENT.


Shariff: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

Young Ace: IN A BIG HOUSE IN HOLLYWOOD... BECAUSE I CONSIDER MYSELF A YOUNG STAR AND THAT’S WHERE I WOULD FIT IN.


Shariff: Describe yourself in one word.

Young Ace: TURNT - UP.........LOL


Shariff: Who is your favorite Jerk artist?

Young Ace: ME & MY GROUP (RED LIGHT ENT.)


Shariff: What are the first 5 songs on your iPod right now?

Young Ace: ALL MY SONGS FROM MY GROUP (RED LIGHT ENT.) "I MIGHT BE", "MOVE WIT MONEY", "SHE A GROUPIE", "IT’S THE MAC" AND "FITTED"

Shariff: Do you prefer Blackberry or iPhone?

Young Ace: BLACKBERRY..BECAUSE I HAVE ONE...LOL


Shariff: Tell us about Red Light ENT.

Young Ace: ...WELL..RED LIGHT ENT. IS A RAP GROUP FOUNDED BY ME AND MY OWN RECORD LABEL I CREATED "KREAM INC.".... AND ALL 3 OF US ARE MEMBERS OF THE JERKIN GROUP "KREAM KIDZ" .. ME.. K.D AND JNASTY.

Shariff: What should we expect from Young Ace in the future?

Young Ace: THE FUTURE FACE OF T.V..LOL..... I EXPECT MYSELF TO BE VERY KNOWN AND PAID AND HAVE A LOT OF MONEY ... AND BE KNOWN AS ONE OF THE HOTTEST RAP GROUPS (RED LIGHT ENT.)

Shariff: Ace, you are a shining example of what The Jerk/Skinny Jeanz Movement is all about and we wish you the best of luck! Thanks for taking time to talk with us at Turnt-Up.com

Young Ace: THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW AND ALL THE SUPPORT.

In case you were wondering, this isn’t my first film making experience… By, Shariff Hasan

This is my second feature film and directorial debut. My first film “American High School”, which I executive produced, is a teen comedy like “American Pie”. I enjoy producing and writing youth based projects because the creative process encompasses the internet and its social networks. Combining these two worlds, of social networks and original content, is my niche as a film maker in Hollywood.

Here are some of the BIGGEST personalities in the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement By, Shariff Hasan

Because of the collaborative culture of The Movement, groups have become popular rather than individuals.
Some of the iconic crewz are:
• New Boyz
• U.See.L.A. Jerk Kings
• Go Go Power Rangerz
• High 5
• Action Figurez
• LOL Kidz
• Indigo Vanity and Friendz
• Young Ace and the Kream Kidz
• Team Dummy

Some touching moments while filming the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement By, Shariff Hasan

Due to the collaborative nature of the culture, through music and social networking, I assumed that the teenagers knew each other on a personal level, but they didn’t. The high majority of the teenagers in The Movement had never met in person and had only communicated online through MySpace and YouTube. So, when we began filming, it was amazing introducing the teenagers to each other and seeing their excitement and appreciation for each other’s work. Probably the biggest moment so far was the photo shoot we did with Hedi Slimane for VOGUE HOMME Japan. The kids were overwhelmed and excited to be in a high fashion photo shoot with, Hedi Slimane, the Christian Dior designer responsible for the Skinny Jeanz Fashion Movement the kids so closely embrace.

Why I decided to do films around the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement By, Shariff Hasan

Along with being an Indi Film producer, in late 2008 I was working with UCLA professors to develop a learning curriculum to teach young kids about entrepreneurship through the opportunities of technology. Once in schools, I saw that the kids were already entrepreneurial through technology. Speaking with various teenagers in the classes I was teaching the curriculum, I learned more about this viral video culture and became fascinated, which led me to research the culture and the various personalities involved. I met a group called the “New Boyz” and decided to film a documentary around this new online subculture. Since then, we have two feature films in development with Melee Entertainment (the producers of the hit movies “You Got Served” and the comedy “Friday”). The documentary will be disturbed this summer in limited theaters and On Demand Pay Per View. The features should be released Spring 2011.

Describing the Jerkin Dance By, Shariff Hasan

Unlike Break Dancing and Krumping, Jerkin is much less acrobatic and much more technical footwork. No two people Jerk alike and the dancers are recognized by their own individuality, which can not be compared with fellow Jerkers.
The main dance steps in The Jerkin Movement are:
• The Jerk
• Reject
• Pin Drop
• Sponge Bob
• Dougie

The dance steps are constantly being upgraded, similar to computer software. For example, the “Reject” of late 2008 was upgraded to the “Reject 2.0” in mid 2009 because of additional footwork added to the dance move.

Shariff Hasan’s Current Favorite Jerkin songs.

• New Boyz, “Cricketz”
• Asia Lynn, “Bite My Swagg”
• Jinc ENT., “Bad Chick Alert”
• Indigo Unchained, “Rock Your World”
• Kream Kidz, “Red Light”

How and Where did The Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement Began By, Shariff Hasan

The Jerkin Movement started as an online collaborative viral video culture that began in late 2008 in Los Angeles, California by teenagers attending performing arts schools of various cultural and economic communities across Los Angeles ranging from Westwood to Watts. The Jerkin Movement coalesced when the New Boyz (signed by Warner Brothers/Asylum), participants of the viral video culture, produced the hit radio song, “You’re A Jerk”, signifying one of the dance steps popularized by teenage viral video culture. Due to the popularity of the New Boyz’s “You’re A Jerk”, this local viral video culture assumed the identity of The Jerkin Movement.

What is The Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement? By, Shariff Hasan

The Jerkin Movement is comprised of teenagers who utilize technology and online distribution to commoditize their personalities through viral videos, music, blogs, and fashion. The Jerk/Skinny Jeanz Movement is rooted in entrepreneurship and self expression and the personalities of the individuals in The Jerkin Movement utilize social networks for popularity amongst their peers as well as economic opportunities with record and publishing companies, merchandise and apparel, film and television, and local parties domestically and abroad.

Warner Bros./Todd Moscowitz gets The Jerk Movement

Warner Bros./Asylum Records' President, Todd Moscowitz, was the first industry executive to see the global potential of the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement in signing the New Boyz, Cold Flamez, The Rej3ctz and several other top acts from the online movement.

A Year with New Boyz, Warner Bros., MTV, and Melee Ent.

It has almost been a year since I started to document a new movement of young people building social networks and creating business opportunities for themselves. This concept later became known as the Jerk/Skinny Jeanz Movement. Over the last year we have 2 feature films in development with Melee Entertainment led by Bryan Turner(founder of Priority Records) , best known for hits like "Friday", "You Got Served", and recently "Next Day Air". We have a completed documentary to be distributed this summer in a limited theatrical release. I shot a pilot centered around The Jerk Movement for MTV. In late 2009, I established a partnership with Warner Bros./Asylum Records with the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk social networking site Turnt-Up.com.

Donovan Leitch, Indigo Unchained, Hedi Slimane photo shoot inspired

Here is a YouTube link to a video made by the Kream Kidz at the auditions for the VOGUE HOMME Japan magazine photo shoot by Hedi Slimane. In the video are some powerful words of inspiration from Donovan Leitch and Indigo Unchained.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62Sh3SXJzHM

GEORGE LOPEZ supports the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement

The GEORGE LOPEZ Show has been a huge supporter of The Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement by showcasing New Boyz, U.See.L.A. Jerk Kings, and Team Dummy. I got a chance to thank George Lopez for his support of The Movement.

New Boyz, Tyga of Young Money collab on "Cricketz" - anthem for.....

Check out the anthem for the Skinny Jeanz Movement "Cricketz" by New Boyz ft. Tyga from Young Money.

My article in VOGUE HOMME Japan was cited in the article for the video.

Here is the link...

http://www.aritzia.com/blog/2010/03/ear-candy-hey-new-boyz-why-those-jeanz-so-tight

Interview with AOL's Leah GIllis

Here is a link to an interview I did with Leah Gillis for AOL.com. I am very pleased with the way this article came out. I like how descriptively the Jerk/Skinny Jeanz Movement business model is depicted by Leah Gillis in this interview.

http://www.rentedspaces.com/2010/03/23/los-angeles-insider-media-entrepreneur-shariff-hasan/

Congratulations to the New Boyz for back 2 back PLATINUM selling singles!!!

It was hysterical to see how many so-called music execs ran away from the Jerk/Skinny Jeanz Movement when the New Boyz's first week album sales were not that exciting.....and now we see these so-called execs slowly returning since "Can't Tie Me Down" became a PLATINUM radio success!

Here is a pic of Nicollette Sheridan, New Boyz, Shariff Hasan, & Team Dummy celebrating backstage @ the GEORGE LOPEZ Show.

E! Entertainment Oscar's Party - Shariff Hasan and his convo w/ Russell Simmons

It was a great experience walking the Red Carpet @ the E!Entertainment Oscar's Party. I was totally blown away that the press already knew about The Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement and me. At the party I had the chance to speak to Russell Simmons about Jerkin and he was very interested and supportive. He told me to start blogging about Jerkin on www.GlobalGrind.com. I took his advice!

See JERK MOVEMENT photo shoot on www.HediSlimane.com

Visit www.HediSlimane.com to view the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement, photographed by Hedi Slimane for VOGUE HOMME Japan, March 2010

VOGUE HOMME Japan article by, Shariff Hasan

THE JERK MOVEMENT IS A DANCE / FASHION / MUSIC CULTURE ROOTED IN
ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

JERK CULTURE BEGAN IN LOS ANGELES LATE 2008 AS A RESPONSE TO SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA YOUTH REJECTION OF GANG CULTURE.

- GANG VIOLENCE IS OLD, PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF BEING SHOT AT, AND BEING
SCARED ALL THE TIME.THE JERK MOVEMENT IS ABOUT HAVING FUN AND ACCEPTING -
EXPLAINS ACE, CEO OF KREAMZ KIDZ, A LOS ANGELES BASED JERK CREW.

- JERKING IS ABOUT PROMOTING YOURSELF AND MAKING MONEY - SAYS INDIGO
VANITY, THE SELF-PROCLAIMED BEST FEMALE JERK IN THE WORLD.
THE JERK MOVEMENT HAS ACCRUED CLOSE TO A BILLION HITS ONLINE THROUGH
VIRAL VIDEOS AND HAS PROMOTED ONE OF THE TOP SELLING ACTS OF 2009/10,
NEW BOYZ, WITH THEIR DEBUT ALBUM - SKINNY JEANZ AND A MIC - , AND THEIR
PLATINUM SINGLE - YOU'RE A JERK -.

SKINNY JEANZ, BRIGHT COLORS, AND ACCESSORIES ARE THE HALLMARK CENTER
PIECES OF THIS JERK FASHION MOVEMENT. - THE KIDZ REALLY WANTED TO CREATE
THEIR OWN IDENTITIES. THE ACCESS TO IMAGES ONLINE REALLY HELPED THE
KIDS EXPAND THEIR TASTE IN FASHION WAY PAST WHAT THEY SAW IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOODS EVERYDAY - SAYS KIYOKO ESSLEY, - MOMAGER - OF BEN J. OF
THE NEW BOYZ, AND ASIA LYNN.

THE SKINNY JEANZ MOVEMENT STARTED IN THE LATE 90'S, LED BY DESIGNER HEDI
SLIMANE. ON 1/26 OF 2010, HEDI S. AND THE LEADERS OF THE JERK MOVEMENT
COLLABORATED TO CREATE IMAGES IMMORTALIZING SKINNY JEANZ AS A TIMELESS
EXPRESSION OF THE + SWAG +.

ALONG WITH THE NEW BOYZ, SEVERAL OTHER RECORDINGS ACTS HAVE ACHIEVED
MAJOR RECORDING DEALS AND RADIO SUCCESS.
A FEATURE FILM ON JERKIN IS IN PRODUCTION WITH THE MAKERS OF THE HIT
DANCE MOVIE = YOU GOT SERVED = MELEE ENTERTAINMENT.

By,

Shariff Hasan

Hedi Slimane photographs the Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement for VOGUE HOMME Japan

The Skinny Jeanz/Jerk Movement is featured in a 9 page spread in this month's VOGUE HOMME Japan photographed by the world famous Hedi Slimane. Here are some of the photos from the shoot on www.HediSlimane.com