Corn Kid became one of 2022’s most wholesome viral sensations when 7-year-old Tariq’s enthusiastic interview about corn was remixed into an irresistible song. His pure joy and the phrase “It’s corn!” captured the internet’s heart during an otherwise heavy year.

The Original Interview

In July 2022, Recess Therapy (Julian Shapiro-Barnum) interviewed Tariq about his favorite food. His response about corn became instant gold:

“It’s corn! A big lump with knobs. It has the juice. I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing. It’s corn!”

His genuine enthusiasm, articulate descriptions, and infectious smile made the clip immediately shareable.

The Songification

Producer Schmoyoho (The Gregory Brothers) remixed the interview into “It’s Corn,” an auto-tuned banger featuring Tariq’s best lines:

“Have a corntastic day! / For me, I really like corn”

The song became unavoidable on TikTok, with millions of videos using the audio.

Why It Went Viral

Corn Kid resonated because:

• Pure wholesomeness: No irony, just genuine love of corn
• Quotable lines: “It has the juice,” “I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing”
• Perfect timing: Uplifting content during difficult news cycle
• Musical quality: Schmoyoho’s production was genuinely catchy
• Universal appeal: All ages enjoyed it

Cultural Penetration

The Corn Kid phenomenon reached:

• Jimmy Fallon: Tariq appeared on The Tonight Show
• South Dakota: State corn marketing uses it
• Chipotle: Sponsored Tariq’s Halloween costume
• Green Giant: Brand partnerships
• National Corn Month: Unofficial ambassador (September 2022)

The Merch

“It’s Corn” merchandise exploded:

• T-shirts with Tariq’s quotes
• Corn plushies
• Stickers and pins
• Halloween costumes
• Proceeds supported Tariq’s family

Recess Therapy Boost

The viral moment boosted Recess Therapy:

• Millions of new followers
• Celebrity guests interested
• Media coverage
• Book deal discussions
• Legitimized kid-interview format

Tariq’s Family

His mother shared:

• Tariq has autism
• His joy around food is genuine
• Overwhelmed by positive response
• Protective of his wellbeing
• Grateful for opportunities

The Corn Industry

Actual corn companies loved it:

• South Dakota Corn used it in marketing
• National Corn Growers Association celebrated
• Corn checkoff programs referenced it
• Agricultural social media embraced the trend

Meme Culture

“It’s Corn” spawned countless variations:

• “It’s [anything]!” format
• Parodies with different foods
• TikTok sounds using the audio
• Dance trends to the remix
• Ironic appreciation posts

Halloween 2022

Corn Kid was a popular Halloween costume:

• Kids dressed as corn
• “It’s Corn” shirt costumes
• Tariq himself went as corn
• Family groups as corn on the cob

Wholesome Internet Moment

In 2022’s often dark online landscape, Corn Kid offered:

• Pure positivity
• No controversy
• Universal appeal
• Feel-good content
• Reminded people why the internet can be good

Long-term Impact

By late 2022, “It’s Corn”:

• Had been streamed millions of times
• Made Tariq a beloved internet figure
• Boosted Recess Therapy’s platform
• Actually increased corn sales (anecdotally)
• Became permanent meme vocabulary

The Bigger Picture

Corn Kid represented a trend toward:

• Authentic enthusiasm over cynicism
• Wholesome content succeeding
• Kids’ perspectives valued
• Pure joy as content
• Internet’s capacity for good

Tariq’s love of corn became 2022’s reminder that sometimes the internet can simply celebrate a kid who really, really loves a vegetable—and that’s beautiful.

Sources:

• Recess Therapy original video
• Schmoyoho “It’s Corn” streams
• The Tonight Show appearance
• Social media analytics
• Media coverage (NPR, Good Morning America)