‘There are so many people watching it, I am in shock’ – schoolchildren blown away by reaction to viral track

Group’s hit song ‘The Spark’ has attracted millions of online views

It has clocked up close to nine million views online, been called the song of the summer and a “pure pop banger” and featured in music bible NME.

The creators behind The Spark, performed by a group of Irish schoolchildren aged nine to 12, have been blown away by the response to the song.

Sophia McNamara (11), who performs under the name Miss Sombrero, is one of the 16 children to sing on the viral track.

“There are so many people watching it, I am in shock, my brain is like ‘wha’,” she said. “Famous people have commented on it – it’s been unreal.”

The song, which was launched on May 15, was created by Rhyme Island, a youth rap project based at The Kabin Studio, to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg, the annual celebration of youthful creativity.

The Kabin is a youth music community space, based in Knocknaheeny, Co Cork.

The video features about 30 children from the neighbourhood and refugee accommodation in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.

Sophia attended song and rap writing workshops held at Kabin Studio and began working on lyrics for The Spark while there.

She sings her rap in the first verse and delivers catchy lyrics including “Making bangers at a young age, my pen setting fire to the page”.

She said the message behind the song is that “children can do anything once they put their mind to it. It’s about creativity and having fun and all that”.

The video for The Spark was shot by Seán Downey and in it the group of children perform around Knocknaheeny and Cork city.

Shooting it proved to be as enjoyable as recording the song.

“Firstly it was filmed in The Kabin. Then we went to the credit union and got the local 202 bus that brings you out to Mahon and stuff. We were allowed to film on it,” Sophia said.

“And we went down the town and into The Pav, it’s a pub with a big stage and we got smoke machines and bubbles. Then we got ice cream in town and it was just such a lovely day.”

She also enjoyed creating her ensemble for the video.

“I loved getting the clothes from Penneys. I got a plain white hat and I have paint markers so I drew and on the top I said ‘Be like the spark’ with my name and hearts and flowers.”

Sophia, who appeared on last year’s Late Late Toy Show, likes how expressive she can be when on stage.

“I like that you can put your emotion on the stage and you can perform in front of people. And it is fun to be up there and meet new people on the stage.”

Garry McCarthy, creative director of non-profit Kabin Studio, set up the space in 2012.

Since 2017 it has grown and supported young people, teens and adults to express themselves creatively. It has become an integral part of the community.

Mr McCarthy has recently launched Rhyme Island which brings the services The Kabin offers all around the country. It was always the intention that The Spark, which was developed during weekly workshops for Junior Rappers, would be the anthem for it.

“We were looking for something energetic,” he said. “A drum and bass track. And then we started coming up with chants and it came from there.

“We knew it was a belter and the video was class. We knew it would get a bit of traction locally or nationally but weren’t expecting this. This is crazy.”

“I like that you can put your emotion on the stage and you can perform in front of people”