Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” came out a few weeks ago and was promptly declared The Song of the Summer by many of the people who are in the business of declaring that type of thing. This was all well good at the time because the song is fun and bouncy, and there really weren’t any other great contenders jumping up for a shot at the crown. But as of this moment Daft Punk can go jump in a damn lake, because The NSJ Crew has put out a follow-up to last year’s “Hot Cheetos & Takis” titled “Khaki Pants” and it is amazing. Put it on the stereo, crank up the speakers, and let it ride until August.
A quick note: Technically, “Hot Cheetos & Takis” was by a group named Y.N.RichKids, which appears to be a separate crew even though it looks like there’s a fair amount of membership overlap. Both groups are part of the Beats & Rhymes program in Minnesota, which is just about the coolest thing ever.
Beats & Rhymes was founded in 2007 at the Nellie Stone Johnson Beacons Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Shortly after the program was founded, the YMCA received a grant from Best Buy to fund this new venture. Its purpose was to provide school-age kids the chance to experience making and recording music in a way they could relate to. Each student has to complete their homework in order to participate in the after-school program. It was designed to provide challenging, positive youth and career development opportunities for low income, culturally-diverse youth.
And to make things even more confusing, Y.N.RichKids get a “Presented By” credit on this track. I choose to believe it’s kind of a middle school version of the Cash Money/Big Tymers situation. Whatever. Not important. What’s important here is that this song is great, and there should be more music videos where kids run amok in their school, and the kid whose verse starts at the 2:35 mark needs to drop a mixtape YESTERDAY. The streets demand it.
