The song of the summer seems to be out, and it’s not a new Taylor Swift or Dua Lipa track. Instead, it’s a song by a bunch of Irish kids who have encountered overnight success. The track is titled “The Spark,” and was created by Rhyme Island, a youth rap project based at the not-for-profit Kabin Studio in Cork. Against all odds, it has now gone viral, amassing millions of views from now-adoring fans around the globe.
“The Spark” is written and performed by a group of 30 kids from ages 9 to 12. Some of them are from the neighborhood of Knocknaheeny, where the studio is located, while others live in refugee accommodation in Lisdoonvarna. Prompted by Rhyme Island, the children developed the chorus and first verse during an Easter camp. Once that was ready, it was taken to the other group in the asylum seeking center, who helped complete it.
“We were looking to work with something upbeat and put on a drum’n’bass track. We found the beat and started coming up with chant and chorus ideas,” producer Garry McCarthy told The Guardian.
The kids later came together to shoot the video, which was filmed by Seán Downey, a tutor who uses the name SwanIGuess. In the clip, they can be seen dancing in the studio and around Cork while they sing the infectious chorus. “Think you can stop what we do?” asks the opening lyric. “I doubt it,” the performers declare. “We got the energy/We’ll tell you all about it/I searched for my spark/And I found it.”
Soon, RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster, shared the video, taking the internet by storm. On top of the attention it has attracted, “The Spark” has become the anthem for Cruinniú na nÓg (Gathering of Youth), a massive event featuring hundreds of free creative activities for children and teenagers across Ireland, taking place on June 15.
McCarthy explained that Rhyme Island puts out new songs out every week—this one just happened to go very far. They are not doing it for the money either; should this track earn some revenue, they want it to support the studio and the refugee kids. “The response has been amazing,” McCarthy says. “The kids’ energy and positivity has inspired people. It’s a really catchy song.”
A group of 30 Irish kids—including some in refugee centers—have written and performed a song called “The Spark,” and it’s poised to become the song of the summer.
✨ “I searched for my spark and I found it” ✨
Cruinniú na nÓg, Europe’s only national free day of creativity for young people is back, with over 1,000 free activities, taking place on Saturday, June 15. #CruinniuNaNog – an initiative of @creativeirl, supported by @rte pic.twitter.com/jTejJdfeIF
— RTÉ (@rte) May 16, 2024
Rhyme Island: Website | TikTok | YouTube | Instagram
h/t: [The Guardian]
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