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