Following their breakout viral hit The Spark, Grammy recognition and the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Song of the Year award, Cork’s Kabin Crew have released their debut EP, Up The Kabin.
The young rappers, who are part of the Knocknaheeny art not-for-profit organization, a youth music space created in 2012 and based in a repurposed metal container, collaborated with the Lisdoonvarna Crew on The Spark in 2024.
It became a global viral hit, racking up 1.3 billion TikTok views, 500 million Instagram views, and 51 million streams.
The track made it to the Grammys Song of the Year longlist and drew praise from Cillian Murphy, Dermot Kennedy, and Stormzy, and was covered by international media, including The Guardian and the BBC.
The tracks on Up The Kabin "reflect themes that naturally emerge in their workshops: resilience, individuality, self-care, mental health, bullying, and simply having the craic!", according to Kabin Crew.
Many of the songs featured on the EP first appeared on RTÉ’s Kabin Crew Christmas Special.
Speaking about the new release, Garry McCarthy of GMCBeats and producer and Creative director of The Kabin Studio said, "I’m incredibly proud of the young people who wrote and performed these songs, and grateful to the tutors, families, volunteers, and supporters who make this work possible.
"At its heart, Up The Kabin celebrates community, creativity, and the importance of making sure every young voice is heard, no matter who they are or where they’re from."
More music news, reviews and interviews here
