A group of Irish kids, aged between nine and 12, are making headlines worldwide with their viral drum and bass track ‘The Spark’ which has been longlisted for two Grammy Awards in 2025.
Created by the Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew, the song’s heartwarming message and infectious beat have catapulted it into international acclaim, landing it a spot in two prestigious categories; Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Song of the Year.
Released in May 2023, ‘The Spark’ quickly went viral across social media platforms, amassing millions of views on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
The song was part of the Rhyme Island initiative, a project run by the Kabin Studio in Knocknaheeny, Cork, which focuses on nurturing youth creativity.
Featuring children from Cork and a refugee centre in Lisdoonvarna, the song’s positive energy and powerful message of resilience resonated with listeners worldwide.
Creative Director Garry McCarthy, known as GMCBeats, was the mastermind behind the song and shared his excitement on Instagram.
"What a mad few months this has been! A song that we created for the Rhyme Island initiative with the crew of legendary kids and tutors at The Kabin and in Lisdoonvarna is longlisted for the Grammys!” he said.
The song has since attracted support from high-profile musicians, including Stormzy, Becky Hill and Tove Lo. With over six million views on YouTube alone, ‘The Spark’ has become an anthem for positive youth creativity.
The Grammy Awards shortlist will be announced on Nov 2, with the final ceremony scheduled for Feb 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
This milestone marks an incredible journey for the young Irish artists, who could not have anticipated such success when they first began recording in the Kabin Studio, a repurposed shipping container that has been a creative hub since 2012.
Whether or not the track wins, its creators have already lit up the global stage.