Hot Cheetos & Takis: Kid rappers go viral with song about snacks

"Refreshing" isn't a word that's typically associated with Hot Cheetos, but after a steady stream of Call me Maybe and Gotye parodies this summer, that's exactly what many are calling a new viral video about young kids enjoying their favourite snacks:



Hailed by Rolling Stone as "the summer's final truly great jam," Hot Cheetos & Takis has taken the web by storm this week, earning hundreds of thousands of YouTube views in a matter of days.

After watching the video (seven times in a row), it's not hard to understand why the catchy jam is getting so much attention. The song is as addictive as the kids who perform it are cute, and the story behind it is even better.

Both the song and video were produced as part of the Beats And Rhymes after-school program at the North Community YMCA in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Kids who participate in the program are rewarded with a chance to flex their rap skills on camera if they keep up with their schoolwork.

"Each student has to complete their homework in order to participate in the after-school rap session, which encourages self-expression, hard work and dedication, all while fostering talent in these young kids," writes Erik Thompson of local news outlet City Pages. "Qualities which will clearly be beneficial to them as they make their way through life."

Professional beat producers and videographers helped the kids craft their final product, but the creative drive behind Hot Cheetos & Takis is 100 per cent 'Y.N. RichKids crew.'

This song is one of many on the young music collective's Bandcamp Page, but it's definitely the most widely-shared.

Hot Cheetos & Takis has been featured on blogs and mainstream media outlets around the globe and hailed by celebrities such as comedian Aziz Ansari and international DJ Diplo.

Neither Hot Cheetos or Takis (a brand of Mexican corn chip) are sold in Canada, but we can certainly appreciate the passion these kids have for their snacks - and the talent they use to convey it.

Do you know of any similar programs that reward good grades creatively? How would you motivate kids to complete their homework? Let us know your thoughts below.