What is the birth years / generation of kids that were part of the Jerk era?

If you were in upper elementary, middle or high school between 2008 and 2011, you probably remember the Jerk era vividly. Sparked by the New Boyz hit You’re a Jerk in 2009, this was more than just a dance craze — it was a whole vibe.

Kids were rocking skinny jeans in every wild color imaginable, checkerboard Vans, snapbacks, graphic tees with loud designs, and plenty of rubber band bracelets. Dance crews would record battles on early YouTube, post clips on MySpace, and spend hours perfecting their moves to songs by the New Boyz, Audio Push, and other Cali-based artists who pushed the “jerkin’” movement.

The music itself was a mix of West Coast minimal beats, catchy hooks, and carefree energy. The whole culture felt like a transition period: right before smartphones and social media really took over, but after MySpace had already made everyone a lowkey graphic, the Jerk era was a defining part of growing up — a time when it was all about getting your crew together, perfecting your moves, and showing out online or in the school hallways.

If you remember jerkin’, what was your go-to fit? And how many pairs of Vans did you own?