A number of the kids behind the viral hit The Spark have reacted to the news that the song has been longlisted for the 2025 Grammy Awards.
The group of Irish schoolchildren, who are aged from nine to 12, are known as the Kabin and Lisdoonvarna Crews.
Released on May 15, the song quickly went viral across social media platforms worldwide.
Clara O'Riordan-Cummins, the young hula hooper who also graces the song’s cover, said that she “never thought this would be possible at my age”.
“I played Electric Picnic and Pukkelpop when I was only 8. Maybe a Grammy when I’m 9? What will I do when I'm 10? My mam is hoping to be a Grammy mammy,” she said.
Even as the song gains momentum, the young stars are keeping grounded.
“I feel super excited, and it’s a real pinch-me moment. I just want to thank ME, for finding my SPARK, and I want to encourage all girls and boys my age to believe in themselves, no excuses, your dream is your responsibility, never give up,” said Zoey Hourihan Dennehy.
Lucy Corcoran, age 10, said: “It’s all my dreams come true, and I would be so happy to make the shortlist. I had the most amazing summer, and there’s lots more to come. Belgium was the highlight of my summer, and I made the best of friends at The Kabin.”
Carleigh O’Neill, age 10, said: “The past few months have felt like being on a rollercoaster – that kind of excitement where you get butterflies in your stomach. I love it, and I don’t want it to stop.”
“I feel like it’s not real, it’s all a dream, and I don’t want to wake up”.
Founder of the Kabin Studio, a youth music space supported by Music Generation in Cork City, Garry McCarthy said there’s “so much power in kids’ voices”.
“We know that we’re up against hundreds, just to know that something we created with a group of kids, a group of little legends from Cork and Clare in this rusting metal box we have in Knocknaheeny goes to show that kids need to be listened to,” he told the Irish Independent.
“There’s so much we can learn from kids’ positivity and energy. There are kids around the world who do not have the opportunities that some of the kids that we’re working with have. There are kids around the world who do not have the possibility to express themselves safely.
“Our main focus is supporting the wider network of young people that we work with at the Kabin to help make them make songs and for them to have a bit of fun. To us it’s not about whether we win awards, it’s not about streams, it’s not about how many people hear it. It’s about what we do.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without those who support us in the background. Music Generation Cork City, Creative Ireland, Cork City Council and Rubyworks Records for believing in the work that we do. Onwards and upwards.”
The song now has over 1.7 million views on Youtube and the group has over 155,000 listeners on Spotify.
The Spark is nominated in two categories for the 2025 Grammy Awards - Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Song of the Year.
Mr McCarthy announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday.
“What a mad few months this has been,” he said.
“A song we created for the Rhyme Island initiative with the crew of legendary kids and tutors at The Kabin Studio and Lisdoonvarna is longlisted for the Grammys. Shout out to the talented PapaPedro Beats on the beat too.”
In a post on X, Tánaiste Micheál Martin extended his congratulations to the children, saying that it was an “incredible achievement for Cork and Clare’s young rappers”.
"Well done all,” he added.
The viral video was directed by Cork-native Sean Downey and the song was written during weekly sessions at the Kabin studio, based in Knocknaheeny.
It was created to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg, the annual celebration of youthful creativity.
In the aftermath of its release, members of the Kabin Crew set ablaze stages across the country.
They performed at Electric Picnic, All Together Now, PukklePop in Belgium, Cork's Everyman Theatre and appeared on the The Late Late Show.
Members of the recording academy are now in the final stages of deciding the shortlist of nominations.
The definitive shortlist will be announced on November 2 with the 67th Grammy Awards to take place in Los Angeles on February 2, 2025.
