One of the two main Government parties has quickly apologised to the Cork and Clare kids behind the global hit track The Spark - and promised to make a donation towards their art.
Last night, as CorkBeo reported, the Hollyhill-based music, video and arts charity the Kabin Studio - the award-winning 'Sound of The Northside' - called out Fine Gael for using the recently released track, involving children from Cork and Clare in a party political video posted across FG's social media platforms.
After the FG video had gone up on Twitter, the studio, a charity that has been working with kids on the northside for years, responded with: "Ah Jasus lads, at least credit the kids who performed this track. Whoever created this video and made the social media post should know this. Not comfortable with it being used for political means.
"You have used our music, without permission, for political means. Please cease all usage with immediate effect .Please, do not use our music for national/international political means. Especially if you have no connection to the work we do locally on the ground. Anyone who uses our music, credit the kids and consider making a donation to children's charity."
To be fair to Fine Gael's social media team, they did respond quickly, deleting the video entirely. And after CorkBeo contacted them this morning, FG chiefs said they would be making an apology and a donation to the Kabin Studio's work.
A Fine Gael spokesperson told CorkBeo: “We wish to sincerely apologise to all at the Kabin Crew and the Kabin Studio for not seeking permission to use their music. It was wrong and should not have occurred.
“We will be making a donation to the Kabin Studio to support their great work, or in lieu of this, to a charity of their choice.
“The Kabin Crew are an immensely talented group who produce great music, including the track of the Summer.
“They are a credit to all in their community and are great ambassadors for Cork city. Keep up the great work at the Kabin Studio.”
The track - The Spark - has become a worldwide hit on social media, inspiring over 12,000 TikTok tributes alone - and versions by famous musicians, pop stars and influencers.
The madly infectious track is a brilliant collab between kids' music collectives the Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew, also featuring long-time mentor and musician Garry McCarthy of GMC Beats and the Hollyhill Based Kabin Studio, with beats by Papa Pedro Beats and the hi-energy video by Cork's Sean Downey aka Swaniguess.
