Viral Irish Song ‘The Spark’ Longlisted for 2025 Grammys
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Loading... - Brennan Abbett
- 16 Oct 2024
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The infectious drum’n’bass track ‘The Spark’, created by a talented group of young rappers from Cork and Clare, has taken the music world by storm, amassing over two billion views on social media. This viral hit has now been longlisted for the 2025 Grammy Awards, marking a significant milestone for the emerging artists.
Released in May by Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew, ‘The Spark’ quickly became known as “the song of the summer,” garnering support from prominent artists such as Stormzy, Becky Hill, and Tove Lo. The group has showcased their talent at major festivals, including Electric Picnic in Laois, All Together Now in Waterford, and a remarkable performance for 12,000 fans at the Pukkelpop festival in Kiewit, Belgium.
The creation of ‘The Spark’ was facilitated by Rhyme Island, a youth rap project based at Kabin Studio, a non-profit organization located in Knocknaheeny, Cork. This initiative is part of Creative Ireland, a government program that funds Cruinniú na nÓg, an annual celebration dedicated to youthful creativity.
The track has now been longlisted on the 67th Grammy Ballot for both Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Song of the Year. The Grammy Awards ceremony is set to take place in Los Angeles next February, with the final shortlist for nominations to be announced in early November.
In an enthusiastic announcement on Instagram, Garry McCarthy, founder and producer at Kabin Studio, expressed his excitement: “What a mad few months this has been. A song that we created for the @rhymeisland initiative with the crew of legendary kids and tutors @thekabinstudio and in Lisdoonvarna is longlisted for the Grammys.”
The music video for ‘The Spark’ was filmed in just one day on a Cork bus, featuring around 30 children aged between nine and twelve, some of whom reside in accommodation for refugees in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare.
The song has gained international attention, being featured in prominent media outlets such as BBC News, ABC’s Today Show, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Time magazine. As the young rappers await the Grammy nominations, their journey from local talent to potential Grammy contenders is a testament to their creativity and the power of community support.
