Best Jersey Club Records From 1999 To 2024: Lil Uzi Vert And More – Vibe
by June 10, 2024From DJ Jayhood to Lil Uzi Vert, VIBE has compiled 22 essential Jersey Club records to get to know the genre.
Jersey Club was an underground genre for years, with many New Jersey artists trying their best to get the popular sound off the ground. Newark DJs and producers DJ Tameil, the late Tim Dolla, and Mike V (who came to be known as the collective Brick Bandits) initially started the dance genre, spreading the sound to other states with influence from Baltimore Club and Chicago House music.
Much different than the latter, the former has faster tempos and usually minimal lyrics — with newer Jersey Club songs including simple instructional moves (way before TikTok). From the late 90’s to 2024, one of the Garden State’s most beloved cultural gems has gone through many phases. The genre has moved from strickly dance feels, to being used as tracks for rappers and singers to lay down full verses.
One of the most notable Jersey Club songs that actually made waves for the entire state on a larger scale was Pure’s (now known as Rolling Stone P) “Body Talk.” Rappers Chad B and Unicorn151 have also been credited as the first rappers to lay bars over the bouncy beats, as more recently, Irvington, NJ’s own Cookiee Kawaii put Jersey Club on a global map with her viral single, “Vibe (If I Back It Up).”
Then there are the DJ’s who have worked at molding the Jersey Club sound for years, like DJ Jayhood, DJ Frosty, DJ Sliink, DJ Fade, DJ Wallah, DJ Nadus, DJ Smallz 732, DJ Lil Taj, DJ 40 Cal, DJ Cali Cal, DJ Lil Man, and many more. Although the latter has had serious allegations made against him over the last few years, but we would be rewriting history if we didn’t include the “I Like The Way She Move” creator.
Additionally, Jersey Club has birthed some of the most recognizable voices, including Ms. Porsh, who’s heard on “Sexy Walk” and “Can’t Bounce Like Me,” and Tokyo Jap Junkie (now known as Double C Chanel), who voices “Shake Dat Donk” and others. Fast forward to 2022-2024, and the Jersey Club sound has officially hit the mainstream scene after years of being Jersey’s own special trademark. What was once considered a niche sound is now taking over the globe, as the signature 130-140 BPM is frequently heard on major albums from artists like Bad Bunny and Nicki Minaj, while young stars like Ice Spice are fusing it with New York City Drill.
Last year, Tameil spoke to NewJersey.com about Jersey Club’s mainstream success and how proud he is of the genre. “From selling CDs of the records on the street to seeing how accessible it is today is crazy,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier.
VIBE has compiled a list of influential and essential Jersey Club tracks, all the way from its inception to present day hits. Of course, we didn’t include every single track ever made, but these are sure to give you a taste of what Jersey Club truly is.
DJ Jayhood’s “Heartbroken” is arguably one of the best Jersey Club songs ever made. The track is more mellow, but still has that permeating bass. The track put Jayhood’s name on the map in Jersey not only as a Club maker, but as a producer. His discography alone has helped him to work with big names like Missy Elliott, Fetty Wap and more. The latter even put out a remix to the 00’s hit in 2021 with a coinciding music video.
“Ride Dat Wave” is a Jersey club staple that, of course, has signature dance moves to it. The track was released in 2009 by DJ Frosty, a well-known Jersey Club DJ. The bouncy tune demands you “look to the left” and “ride dat wave” then orders you to “make it jump” — your derriere, that is. The track was played at every party during the 2010’s, and you can still catch it in the mix at any Jersey function.
The late DJ Tim Dolla, one of the founding fathers of Jersey Club, released “Swing Dat Sh*t” in the early 2000’s, breaking the mold for one of many popular dance tracks. The fast-paced club song requires you to “put one finger in the air” while also demanding that you “swing and throw dat sh*t.” The heavy bass track is guaranteed to get anyone moving.
“Sexy Walk” by DJ Lil Man and viral voice, Ms. Porsh, is one of the most important Jersey club songs of the millennium. The dance of the same name has been imitated, but never duplicated in a few regions across the country. “Sexy Walk” was one of the first viral songs to make waves with the Gen Z population, as teens could be seen doing the steps at talent shows, on Youtube, and more.
“Rock My Hips” by DJ Jayhood and Ms. Porsh is one of the most relevant Jersey Club track of today, as the dance that coincides with it has been twisted into the hip swinging moves seen all over TikTok.
From Lil Uzi Vert and Nicki Minaj to Beyoncé, the dance that started with this 2010 song has influenced the world to “shake their sides” — even if they’re not doing it exactly as instructed.
DJ Lil Man at one point had Jersey Club in a chokehold with “I Like The Way She Move.” The song featured another jersey voice, 40 Cal, as he gave instructions to move “left, right, up, down” while pointing out someone that’s “ugly.” However, in Jersey, it’s all jokes and love.
DJ Tameil, another founding father of Jersey Club, released “Ay Bay Bay” in the early 2000’s, sampling Hurricane Chris’ song of the same name. The track shows more of the early days of Jersey Club, as the beat isn’t as fast paced as the songs that came many years after it. The track has reemerged in 2024, as its been given a TikTok makeover with a mashup to “Anniversary” by Tony! Toni! Toné!
Here the original song here and check out the remix below.
Pure’s “Body Talk” released in 2010 and was a widely popular track showcasing a singer on a Jersey Club beat. The song is not only sexy, but a club banger. It was one of the first tracks that showed how versatile Jersey Club could be, as it didn’t have to be just repetitive instructions and drums. “Body Talk” actually cracked the door, showing that Jersey Club could be a mainstay.
Ms. Porsh’s “Can’t Bounce Like Me,” produced by DJ Lil Man, introduced a new move in Jersey that requires you to use your booty. Unlike twerking or Nola bouncing, “booty bouncing” is more isolated where your derriere drops on the down beat. The track created a whole new wave of dancing, even with guys out-booty bouncing the girls. In other areas, one may look at men hitting the moves with a side-eye, but in Jersey, the dance is for everyone.
Derived from the vintage “patty cake” dance found in movies like Grease and others, DJ Sliink created a song for the Garden State that put a Hip-Hop bounce on the simple moves. Much like other Jersey Club songs, the track has that fast-paced, beat thumping sound that requires you to keep up. Sampling, R. Kelly’s “Number One,” the beat hears the 2009 R&B song over the electronic dance track.
Tim Dolla was known for creating some of the most influential and popular Jersey Club songs that featured some of the most popular Hip-Hop/R&B tracks heard on the radio at the time. “Falsetto” dropped in the early 2000’s, and is widely considered one of the top Jersey Club songs ever made. Its beat is simple, but became a blueprint for many songs that came after.
Unicorn151, aka Killa Kherk, is also credited as one of the first rappers to spit over a Jersey Club beat. The Newark-native released “Tote It Remix” which was a spin off of the original Baltimore Club hit, “Tote It.” Unicorn brought more of a drill sound to the party genre, as he rapped more about street life than a good time at the club.
Chad B is credited as one of the first artists to rap over a Jersey Club beat, and it be received well. His 2010 hit, “Hit It” was not only a popular party song in Jersey, but also went on to soundtrack a movie and play on radio stations. The track was one of the first to show what rappers could do over a Jersey Club beat, which is a genre that has been overlooked for years. There is no mentioning Jersey Club rappers without saying Chad B’s name.
Lil Uzi Vert’s “I Just Wanna Rock” was an undeniable catalyst that helped finally launch the Jersey Club sound into the mainstream spotlight, as its 2022 release shot up the charts and brought the dancers out. The Pink Tape viral standout had everyone across the country rocking their hips, and we haven’t stopped since.
Its accompanying music video opens up by perfectly capturing the essence of the underground club scene, complete with a dark basement, neon lights, and a Kai Cenat cameo. The fun then spills over into a lively scene that shows a sea of people mobbing into the NYC streets. The spotlight is on Uzi as he climbs on top of a car, rocks his hips, and cements “Just Wanna Rock” as an unforgettable outside anthem.
Since its release, Uzi has performed the track at 2023 Rolling Loud, the 2023 BET Awards, and countless live shows in between. The certified hit has garnered success numbers-wise as well, as it went 2x Platinum, peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and garnered over 660 million Spotify streams.
ZEDDY WILL stuck closely to the classic Jersey Club formula, and it worked flawlessly. In July 2023, the Queens rapper tapped in with DJ Smallz 732, and the pair wound up concocting their viral “Freak You” track. The offering is truly the quintessential Jersey Club song: a timeless R&B sample (“Freek’n You” by Jodeci), a catchy and simple hook, and the unmistakable bass pattern.
As the perfect song to hit your best sexy walk to, “Freak You” is the definition of a track that “restores the feeling.”
Although “Players” by Coi Leray initially paid homage to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s iconic 1982 single, “The Message,” not even Coi herself could predict how the onslaught of remixes that were to follow would take this hit to new heights.
DJ Saige was the first to shake things up by releasing her viral mash-up set to the instrumental of Busta Rhymes’ “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.” Then, Leray kept the momentum by linking up with DJ Smallz 732, a perfect fit to honor the 27-year-old’s Jersey roots. The accompanying music video set it off, as it documents the “Blick Blick” rapper posted outside a deli with a massive crowd of supporters who all came together to hit their best moves.
Bandmanrill has his ear to the streets and his crew by his side, and his popular hit “Jiggy In Jersey” is a hit that members of the Jersey youth will proudly chant. The offering blends together two popular sounds that represent the music scene right now: Jersey Club and New York City Drill. The fusion of the former’s bass with the latter’s hi-hat results in a sound that defines the now.
The Newark native also previously explained why the Jersey music scene is so unique. “With Jersey, we’re so enclosed and focused on us that we never really gave a f**k about what the rest of the world thought about us,” he said to Complex. “We never really marketed Jersey to the rest of the world. So now that the world is starting to catch on, they realizing it’s jumpy, fun, and makes you want to party.”
This highly infectious track found a home on one of the most highly anticipated project releases of 2023, Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2. Produced by Tate Kobang and DJ Smallz 732, “Everybody” gets everyone up on their feet the moment the “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior sample blares through the speakers.
With one Jersey Club smash hit already etched under his belt, Lil Uzi Vert joined in on this one, as well. Amid his ad-libs meshing perfectly with Nicki’s signature vibrant delivery, the song describes exactly what listeners are also thinking: “Don’t stop the beat, don’t stop the beat/ Don’t stop the beat, don’t stop the beat.”
Ice Spice’s “Deli” is another record that put the Jersey Club x NYC Drill sound at the forefront. While the music industry had all eyes on the Bronx’s “Princess Diana” to see what she was going to do next after the success of “Munch,” she knew she had a hit in the tuck with “Deli.”
The speaker-knocking, rumbling bass track from her debut EP, Like..?, was produced by none other than her right-hand man, RIOT USA. The song instantly went viral on TikTok, as fans gravitated towards the gritty beat juxtaposed with girly bars.
The dominant element of Jersey Club is the art of remixing the most unexpected tracks, and Jersey-raised producer SJAYY saw the perfect opportunity last month. As the pivotal Kendrick Lamar and Drake rap beef was coming to its grand finale round with K. Dot’s “Not Like Us” release, SJAYY swiftly added some East Coast flair to the West Coast anthem.
SJAYY kicked up the bass, sped up the tempo, and meticulously chopped up Kendrick’s bars to fit perfectly into each new pocket. The entertaining offering was so masterfully done that it was also recently played on Hot 97. This remix is certainly going to get reactions any time it’s played at a party this summer.
“WHERE SHE GOES” by Bad Bunny importantly supports the notion that the Jersey Club sound transcends far beyond the borders of the Garden State. The Puerto Rican sensation included several bouncy tracks on his latest LP, nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana, with “WHERE SHE GOES” rising as a standout. The dramatic mountain top music video also includes cameo appearances by Dominic Fike, Ronaldinho, Frank Ocean, and once again, Lil Uzi Vert. Who knew Spanish lyrics would fit so seamlessly over a Jersey Club beat?
If there’s anyone who would know how to deliver a dance-ready record, it’s the queen of choreography herself, Ciara. “Level Up” saw the mother of four hop back into her iconic dance breakdown bag, only this time, Jersey Club was front and center.
The upbeat track is the perfect song for any workout or party, guaranteed to give you the extra jolt of adrenaline needed to power through anything. The song samples Kyle Edward and DJ Smallz’s Jersey Club remix of “We Are Young,” which was also used in DJ Telly Tellz’s 2017 viral “F**k It Up Challenge.” The familiar reference complemented by the “Goodies” singers’ masterful moves resulted in a popular creation that went on to bring in over 360M views on YouTube.
The music video features New Zealand dancers of ReQuest Dance Crew and was directed and choreographed by Parris Goebel, who was also the mastermind behind Rihanna’s Super Bowl 2023 performance.
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