Dublin student goes viral with street concert cover of 'Lose' just days after missing out on music college place

A Dublin student has gone viral with a street performance of 'Lose' after his Leaving Cert results couldn't get him into music college.

But 18-year-old Martin McDonnell was given a huge boost from pop star NIKI's US record label 88Rising - whose song he performed to neighbours outside his home.

The socially distanced concert was shared on the label's Twitter account and has been viewed over 160,000 times.

He told DublinLive.ie: "Played a small gig for the neighbours the other evening when I got my Leaving Cert results.

Martin didn't get the points he hoped for but with a voice like his we are sure he'll be heading on the right path regardless (Martin McDonnell)

"I played a song called 'Lose' by NIKI, and her label 88Rising contacted me and they loved it.

"They asked to share it on their Twitter and it went viral..."

He added that, unfortunately, he didn't get the points he wanted for Music college.

He said: "I didn't get my place in college... it was the difference between a H5 and a H6.

"I'm gutted..."

The young man's spirits were surely lifted with the response to his video online though and is sure to be one to watch for the future.

What a beautiful voice from the rising star.