Jerkin’: The dance, music and style

Jonathan Rambo displays his proficiency at hip-hop-influenced jerkin’, which encompasses not only dance but also music and style. Its spread around Los Angeles began more than three years ago and accelerated last spring when the New Boyz’ “You’re a Jerk” became the first tune of the genre to get radio playtime.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Skinny jeans and neon colors are hallmarks of jerkin’ fashion, prompting some students at middle and high schools across the country to forsake baggy pants and over-sized T-shirts.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Rodney Nelms, 11, of the Kream Kidz sports a haircut favored by enthusiasts of the dance-and-music style. Fro-hawks, bleached flat tops, streaks in the hair the color of Kool-Aid, and shiny chains or dangling rosary beads are some of the looks of jerkin’.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

The Kream Kidz’ Bijon Jones, 17, a.k.a. Young Ace, defies gravity. Basics to the dance called jerkin’ aren’t so complicated: It’s essentially the 1980s running man dance done backward and named the reject. There’s also the jerk, where legs are bent and flapped low to the ground like a wayward butterfly.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

More loose-limbed moves by the Kream Kidz. With the spread of jerkin’, kids from Indonesia to France have been inspired to make YouTube videos of their own dancing.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Earl Benjamin, teenage MTV star of New Boyz fame, receives a warm welcome at a fundraising event at J.W. North High School in Riverside in May 2009. The New Boyz’ “You’re a Jerk” helped popularize the jerkin’ sound and subculture.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Charles “Ceejay” Collins tries a tricky maneuver in 2009 at with the crew called the Ranger$.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The Ranger$ hold still for a portrait in May 2009 at Hamilton High School.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)