'It’s a real pinch-me moment': Cork's young Kabin Crew artists thrilled after making Grammy longlist

Cork’s viral sensation rap group Kabin Crew has been longlisted for the 67th Grammy Awards, news described by creative director and founder of the Kabin Studio, Garry McCarthy, as “absolutely crazy”.

The children’s track ‘The Spark’, which they released with The Lisdoonvarna Crew earlier this year, has been confirmed on the award’s ballot and is now in contention for a Grammy in the Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Song Of The Year categories.

One of the young artists, Clara O’Riordan Cummins, who sings in the chorus and appears hula-hooping on the song’s cover image, said: “I’m really excited, if I go to Hollywood my first time in America will be at the Grammys.

“I never thought this would be possible at my age — I played Electric Picnic and Pukkelpop when I was only 8, maybe a Grammy when I’m 9, what will I do when I’m 10? My mam is hoping to be a Grammy mammy.”

Another member of the group, Carleigh O’Neill, said: “I feel like it’s not real, it’s all a dream, and I don’t want to wake up.

“The past few months have felt like being on a rollercoaster — that kind of excitement where you get butterflies in your stomach. I love it, and I don’t want it to stop.”

Zoey Hourihan Dennehy said: “I feel super excited, and it’s a real pinch-me moment.

“I just want to thank me, for finding my spark, and I want to encourage all girls and boys my age to believe in themselves, no excuses, your dream is your responsibility, never give up.”

Speaking to The Echo, Mr McCarthy, who co-produced ‘The Spark’, said: “To hear that we got longlisted for two Grammys, to know that something we created with a group of little legends from Cork and Clare, in this rusting metal box that we have up in Knocknaheeny — it’s unreal. 

"It goes to show that kids need to be listened to, because there’s so much power in kids’ voices, and there’s so much we can learn from their positivity and energy. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing, and hopefully people enjoy the whole process, because it’s not about whether we win awards, it’s not about streams, it’s not about how many people get to hear it — it’s about how well it positively affects the people we work with directly.

“The message in this song is all about inspiring creativity and confidence in people of all ages, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without our amazing team of tutors and those that support us as well in the background.”

Since its initial release, ‘The Spark’ has amassed more than 2bn views on social media and 52m streams.

The group has performed the track live at both national and international festivals, including Electric Picnic, All Together Now, and Belgium’s Pukkelpop.

The 2025 Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles next February, with the group expected to find out in early November if they have made the final shortlist for nominations.