In the summer of 2024, one song reigned supreme on TikTok, racking up a staggering 1.3 billion plays. That song was “The Spark” – an irresistibly catchy tune with a powerful message of youthful energy and expression, created by two groups of extraordinary kids from Ireland.
Meet the Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew
The masterminds behind “The Spark” are the Kabin Crew, a group of kids over age nine from the Kabin Studio in Knocknaheeny, Cork. This non-profit organization offers music workshops for young people to express themselves through rap, songwriting, and poetry.
For this special project, the Kabin Crew teamed up with the Lisdoonvarna Crew – a group of talented refugee children from County Clare. Together, they wrote and recorded “The Spark” in May 2024.
Originally, I had it as: ‘Think you can move like us? I doubt it.’ But later on I was thinking, like, let’s just talk about kids’ energy. ‘Think you can stop what we do?’ You can’t stop a kid from expressing themselves if they really, really want to… Why would you want to stop that, you know?
– Garry McCarthy, Founder and Creative Director of the Kabin Studio
An Instant TikTok Smash
From the moment “The Spark” dropped, it lit up TikTok with its infectious beats and empowering lyrics. Kids and adults alike couldn’t resist the song’s energy.
I was like, wow, this is actually really a banger. I just fell in love with it immediately.
– A young fan of “The Spark”
In just a few short months, “The Spark” notched up an astonishing 1.3 billion plays on the platform, making it one of the biggest viral hits of the year. But the song is about so much more than just catchy hooks.
Telling Stories Through Music
At its core, “The Spark” is about giving a voice to young people and allowing them to tell their stories on an international stage. As Garry McCarthy explains:
One of the roles of the Kabin is to try to tell their stories, through rap, through songwriting, through hip-hop, through storytelling, through poetry. And now we’re kind of doing it on an international level.
– Garry McCarthy
The success of “The Spark” is a testament to the power of music to unite people from all walks of life and amplify the voices of the next generation.
Electric Picnic Debut
In September 2024, the Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew took their talents to one of Ireland’s biggest stages: Electric Picnic. The crowds went wild as these rising stars performed their global smash hit live for the very first time.
For the young performers, it was an unforgettable experience to see thousands of fans singing and dancing along to their song. In that moment, their spark shone brighter than ever, illuminating the incredible potential within every child when given the chance to shine.
Just the Beginning
With “The Spark”, the Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew didn’t just create a viral hit – they ignited a movement. By harnessing the power of music and storytelling, these talented kids are inspiring other young people around the world to find their own spark and make their voices heard.
As “The Spark” continues to light up TikTok and beyond, one thing is clear: this is only the beginning for these rising stars. With their boundless energy, creativity, and passion, there’s no telling how far their spark will take them next.
