Those 802 rappers

Remember the 802 Music Video? I posted it as a Vermont YouTube of the day on May 2.

Since then, its creators, Colin Arisman, Kevin Hartmann and Luke Martin have gotten quite a bit of press. Channel 5 and WCAX did segments on them, the Barre/Montpelier Times Argus wrote about 'em, so did the Rutland Herald. Now the New York Times has a story.

OK, it's great that these guys got exposure in the NYT, but look at this ridiculous lead:

Vermont has long been a muse for poets and painters, but rappers have never been known to draw inspiration from its bucolic landscapes and postcard-perfect small towns.

Until now.

The quiet streets and low crime rates of Vermont have worked their way into the hip-hop world, thanks to a rap video called “802,” made by three students at Montpelier High School.      

Oh those wacky Vermonters! Aw, shucks! Ugh.

One precious nugget of this coverage that you might have missed — Barre City Councilor Carol Dawes' employer, Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, suggested that she write a rap for them. Here's an excerpt of her CVABE rap, as reported in the TA:

CVABE, spreading lit'racy /

CVABE, spreading lit'racy /

From the north, Lamoille County / To the south in Randolph town /

From the mighty Connecticut River / To the west down in Moretown /

In the learning centers, libraries, the workplaces and homes / We are spreading lit'racy, we are helping you become... /

A better reader, better writer, better in math, too / Maybe even helping you become a great compu... /

...ter whiz. Or learning English as a new way to talk, / We will teach you the skills so you can walk the walk. /

Now why can't I find that rap on their website?