How Kneecap became most controversial band in the UK
Kneecap are no strangers to controversy. They rap about drugs – and are named for the notorious punishment meted out by the IRA at the height of the Troubles to drug dealers, while one of the trio wears a tricolour balaclava.
But for their fans – especially those 'ceasefire babies' who, like them, grew up in the aftermath of the Good Friday agreement – they are a breath of fresh air. They play with Republican imagery – often mocking it – but are staunch in their nationalism, explains the Guardian's Ireland correspondent, Rory Carroll. A semi-fictionalised film about their origins won a Bafta. And they have won more praise and fans for their unusual and political choice to rap in Irish.
The Irish writer and editor Roisin Lanigan tells Michael Safi what that means. 'Irish has always been so denigrated,' she says, that hearing it used in hip-hop 'does feel important and just cool – I didn't realise that Irish could sound like that'.
But this year Kneecap have found themselves in a storm more intense than any they have weathered before. Last month the trio played Coachella and led the US crowd in chants of 'Free Palestine', making clear their view that Israel is committing genocide. Afterwards older clips from concerts emerged of band members appearing to shout out support of Hamas and Hezbollah, and call for the deaths of Conservative MPs. Counter-terrorism police have confirmed they are now investigating the band.
Now politicians have condemned the band and even called for them to be dropped from festivals. In response, musicians from Pulp to Massive Attack have written a furious response saying politicians should not be interfering in musical expression. Meanwhile the hip-hop stars and their manager have said the attacks are confected by those who want to demonise them, and that this is a deliberate distraction from the plight of people in Gaza.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war live: Moscow's wartime toll hits grim milestone while massive drone attack injures five in Kyiv
Nearly one million Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in the Ukraine war, according to the British defence ministry and an American think tank. The defence ministry says over a million Russian soldiers have died or suffered injuries during the war, which started on 24 February 2022. The estimates align with a study by the American think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies. The think tank estimates Russian deaths at around 250,000 and total casualties, including the wounded, at nearly 950,000, the Guardian reported. The Ukrainian death toll it puts at between 60,000 and 100,000 and total casualties up to 400,000. In continuing hostilities, an overnight Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed five civilians, sparked fires in residential areas and damaged an entrance to a metro station, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday.
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Irish deputy premier to attend EU ministers summit in wake of US attack on Iran
Simon Harris, who is also Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said the attack was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' in an already 'volatile' situation in the Middle East. He is to attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the growing crisis in the Middle East will be discussed among other topics. I can confirm that 15 🇮🇪 citizens and their dependents have been successfully evacuated from 🇮🇱 today. Grateful to 🇦🇹 and our teams in Tel Aviv, Dublin & the region for their tireless work. We remain in close contact with all Irish citizens in the region. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US President Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary. Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Middle East — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be 'a diplomatic solution' to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tanaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are 'crucial', and the EU 'has a role to play in charting a way forward'. He said he would also be calling for 'swift and concrete actions' in response to the EU's review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,' he added. 'I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable. 'The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.' We will have a Security College on Wednesday, focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East and its effects on Europe. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025 EU ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Among the other topics to be discussed are the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU engagement with China, and Georgia. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha will also attend the summit and provide an update. The discussion on China is expected to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit. Mr Harris added: 'I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. 'Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.'
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Irish deputy premier to attend EU ministers summit in wake of US attack on Iran
Simon Harris, who is also Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said the attack was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' in an already 'volatile' situation in the Middle East. He is to attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the growing crisis in the Middle East will be discussed among other topics. I can confirm that 15 🇮🇪 citizens and their dependents have been successfully evacuated from 🇮🇱 today. Grateful to 🇦🇹 and our teams in Tel Aviv, Dublin & the region for their tireless work. We remain in close contact with all Irish citizens in the region. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US President Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary. Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Middle East — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be 'a diplomatic solution' to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tanaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are 'crucial', and the EU 'has a role to play in charting a way forward'. He said he would also be calling for 'swift and concrete actions' in response to the EU's review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,' he added. 'I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable. 'The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.' We will have a Security College on Wednesday, focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East and its effects on Europe. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025 EU ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Among the other topics to be discussed are the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU engagement with China, and Georgia. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha will also attend the summit and provide an update. The discussion on China is expected to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit. Mr Harris added: 'I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. 'Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.'
