The viral hit The Spark created by a group of young rappers from Cork and Clare has been longlisted for the 2025 Grammy Awards.
The song from the Kabin Crew & Lisdoonvarna Crew became an instant sensation when it was released in the summer, racking up millions of views across social media with celebrities sharing TikTok and Instagram posts using the joyous and catchy track.
The Spark is now in the running in two categories at next year's Grammys - Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Song of the Year - with the Grammy academy voters now deciding on the final shortlist of nominations.
The final shortlist will be announced on 2 November and the 67th Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on 2 February 2025.
The Spark was recorded by the kids, who are aged between nine and 12, at The Kabin Studio, a repurposed metal container turned into a non-profit youth music space in Knocknaheeny on the northside of Cork City, which was established in 2012 with the support of Music Generation Cork City.
The music video for The Spark, shot by videographer Seán Downey aka SwanIGuess, was filmed in one day at the Kabin, on the top-deck of the 202 Bus and the Pavilion Music Venue in Cork.
Announcing the news of The Spark's Grammys longlist success, The Kabin Studio founder and producer Garry McCarthy said on Instagram: "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 at @thekabinstudio and in Lisdoonvarna is longlisted for the Grammys."
The feelgood track from the young rap crews became one of the songs of the summer upon its release and has had coverage from BBC News, The Guardian, The New York Times, Time and RTÉ News.
The kids had a hectic summer, taking to the stage at Electric Picnic, All Together Now, PukklePop in Belgium, Cork's Everyman Theatre and making TV appearances including The Late Late Show.
