Overview
#CornKid went viral in August 2023 when a Recess Therapy interview with 7-year-old Tariq from 2022 was remixed into “It’s Corn,” a catchy song celebrating corn’s virtues. The pure joy became a 2023 summer anthem.
Cultural Phenomenon
Tariq’s enthusiastic corn appreciation—“It’s corn! A big lump with knobs!”—was auto-tuned by @schmoyoho into an earworm. The video’s wholesome energy was a rare unifying internet moment.
Hashtag uses:
- “It’s corn!” lip-syncs and remixes
- Corn-themed content (recipes, memes)
- Wholesome content appreciation
- Tariq celebrity appearances
- “I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing” quotes
- Corn industry marketing (seriously)
Key Moments
- August 2023: Remix goes viral (original interview was 2022)
- September 2023: Tariq appears on Today Show
- October 2023: South Dakota makes Tariq “corn-bassador”
Why It Resonated
In a cynical internet landscape, Tariq’s genuine excitement about corn felt refreshing. The song was catchy, the kid was adorable, and corn became briefly cool.
Economic Impact
Corn sales actually increased. Agricultural organizations capitalized on the trend. Tariq became a mini-celebrity.