Hip-hop slang for an overly energetic, almost
buffoonish rapper. Originated in the early 1990's with such mainstream hip-pop acts as Kid 'N Play, Salt N Pepa, and Bill Bev
Devoe. This "
New Jack Era" lasted for a few years, but was quickly supplanted by the rise of West Coast-styled "gangsta" rap, as exemplified by NWA (and, more recently, Westside Connection). In an earlier era, "
new jack" also referred to any novice on the microphone, usu. with a distinct lack of lyrical talent.
"They think that
I'm a new jack/ but only if they knew that/
They who think wrong are they who can't do that"
-Rakim,
Lyrics of
Fury