Origin
On August 4, 2022, content creator Recess Therapy (@recesstherapy, Julian Shapiro-Barnum) interviewed 7-year-old Tariq about his love of corn on the streets of Brooklyn. Tariq’s enthusiastic endorsement — “It’s corn! A big lump with knobs!” — became one of 2022’s most wholesome viral moments.
The Interview
Tariq’s iconic quotes:
- “It’s corn! A big lump with knobs. It has the juice.”
- “I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing.”
- “It’s gonna be August, and corn is gonna be ready.”
- “When I tried it with butter, everything changed!”
His genuine enthusiasm and poetic descriptions charmed millions.
Musical Remixes
The Tariq Brothers (Gregory Brothers’ @schmoyoho) created an auto-tuned remix “It’s Corn” that went viral:
- 100M+ views on TikTok
- Peaked on Spotify Viral charts
- Remixed by DJs worldwide
- “Have a corntastic day!” entered slang
Cultural Phenomenon
The corn kid trend included:
- Product collaborations: Green Giant partnership, corn-themed merch
- Educational moment: Tariq became spokesperson for vegetables
- Wholesome internet: Rare universally positive viral trend
- Childhood joy: Adults appreciating kid’s pure enthusiasm
Tariq’s Story
Tariq (full name Tariq, last name private) became:
- Face of South Dakota corn campaign (official partnership)
- Green Giant brand ambassador
- Symbol of childhood wonder
- Advocate for healthy eating
His family managed newfound fame carefully, prioritizing his wellbeing while celebrating the positive message.
Internet Reaction
The trend’s wholesomeness provided a break from typical viral content:
- No scandal or controversy
- Universal appeal (kids, parents, adults)
- Educational (legitimately made people appreciate corn)
- Feel-good content during 2022 news fatigue
Legacy
“It’s corn!” became:
- Catchphrase for enthusiasm
- Meme template for loving mundane things
- Symbol of internet’s capacity for wholesomeness
- Reminder that joy is contagious
The trend proved viral content doesn’t need to be edgy or controversial — genuine enthusiasm resonates just as powerfully.
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