Latest news with #DJPróvaí
RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Kneecap: 'We're getting upper hand on British Empire'
DJ Próvaí of Belfast rap trio Kneecap has thanked fans who turned out to support them ahead of bandmate Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's court case in London for an alleged terrorism offence. Speaking to RTÉ News ahead of their gig at Fairview Park in Dublin this evening, DJ Próvaí said that there was "great support there from a 1,000 people" and that fans had gathered because "they know we're going to win." Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in a London court on Wednesday and has been granted unconditional bail until his next hearing on 20 August. DJ Próvaí, whose real name is JJ Ó Dochartaigh, said the band "dealt a good blow to the courts in Westminster," and added that "we have them on the back foot". Asked about the impact that the court case has had on the band, he said that there was "a bit of relief" and that their court appearance on Wednesday went well "because it seems like we're getting the upper hand on the British Empire." DJ Próvaí also addressed the high calibre of Kneecap's legal team, which includes some heavyweight names. "We have top class world class lawyers there including Gareth Pierce, Darragh Mackin, Blinne, all of them top class," he said. He also addressed the atmosphere outside the court yesterday in London, saying that there was even a stage outside but he said "he was not surprised at all" at the level of support with the crowd chanting messages of support for free speech and for a free Palestine. Looking forward to tonight's gig in Fairview, DJ Próvaí said that Kneecap were "buzzing for it" as they have not played in Ireland for a while so "it's brilliant to be back". "The crowd will be giving it stacks and we want it to be one of the special nights of the year." He added: "We haven't been in Dublin in a good while and there's nowhere better than Fairview to do it!" Standing outside of the venue, a large crowd holding a mixture of Irish and international flags gathered this evening, with some saying they were attending the gig because of Kneecap's commitment to the Irish language, and others citing their pro-Palestinian political views as the reason they like them.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Huge crowds of Kneecap supporters rally outside court as Mo Chara appears on terrorism charge
Watch as huge crowds of Kneecap fans gather outside of Westminster Magistrates Court to support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known by his stage name Mo Chara, as he appears accused of a terrorism offence. The 27-year-old is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at O2 Forum Kentish Town in November last year. Footage shows bandmate DJ Próvaí wading through the packed crowd, as supporters wield placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and "Defend Kneecap'. The charge Mr Ó hAnnaidh faces alleges he displayed a flag in a public place, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation' – namely Hezbollah. Kneecap said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kneecap and 80s legend Paul Weller share a cuppa in Dublin
The 'modfather' was pictured with two of the three band members at Phibsborough's Bang Bang Cafe on Thursday night. Móglaí Bap, DJ Próvaí and the band's manager Daniel Lambert were reportedly celebrating with Paul after their Irish language film nabbed the top prize at the Celtic Media Awards. Set in west Belfast, the film tells the story of how Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí and Móglaí Bap came together to 'change the sound of Irish music forever". The self-titled movie was awarded the Spirit of the Festival at the celebration of media throughout the Celtic nations and regions. Weller was one of 40 acts who signed an open letter opposing what they claim were efforts to censor the trio due to their political statements during performances. Sharing the snap to Instagram, Bang Bang cafe received numerous messages of support for the musicians, with one writing: 'As if we don't already love Weller enough'. 'Not one bit jealous! Paul Weller is just the greatest!,' added another. Rapper Mo Chara whose real name is Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh, was handed a terrorism charge by UK police late last month. It follows allegations that a Hezbollah flag was displayed at one of the band's concerts at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, last November. The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on June 18. ADVERTISEMENT In a statement posted on social media, Kneecap said: 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves.' Counter-terrorism police previously also investigated Kneecap after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised', and also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. In response to the charge, the group said in a social media statement: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves, this is political policing, this is a carnival of distraction. 'We are not the story, genocide is, as they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective? 'To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out. 'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. 'The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.' The controversy has not stopped their rising popularity and they are set to play one of the biggest dates in their career to 12,500 fans at London's Wembley Arena next September 18. Kneecap were cancelled from the TRNSMT concert line-up in Glasgow, which they were due to play in July, due to safety concerns from UK police according to the festival. However, Glastonbury has confirmed band will not be cancelled from the festival and have put the group on a larger slot on the Saturday afternoon at West Holts Stage.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meet Kneecap, the Irish hip-hop trio who sparked controversy with their provocative political performance at Coachella
Irish rappers Kneecap made comments about the Israel-Palestine conflict during their Coachella set. The trio has faced criticism for their remarks and has been dropped by their American booking agent. Sharon Osbourne called for Kneecap's US work visa to be revoked amid their political statements. Kneecap has been making headlines for a number of years, but the hip-hop group's latest appearance at Coachella has caught the attention of the world. The Belfast-based group performed on both weekends at the California festival. As has become custom for their shows, their performances included heavy political messaging about the conflict in Gaza. While Coachella organizers attempted to censor the band after the first weekend by removing their set from the festival's livestream, this only increased interest in the performance. Here's everything you need to know about the band and what's happened since their Coachella performance. The band, which formed in 2017, is made up of rappers Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, who rap in both English and Irish. The band's "shows and tracks flip between satirical performance art and rampageous raves," reads their Spotify biography. In 2025, their semi-autobiographical film, "Kneecap," won the BAFTA for outstanding debut, recognizing the work of first-time director Rich Peppiatt. In the film, Chara, Bap, and DJ Próvaí played versions of themselves alongside Michael Fassbender. The Irish Times reports that the band's debut song "C.E.A.R.T.A." was inspired by a run-in with the police after Bap and his friend were caught spray-painting the word, which is Irish for "rights," on a bus stop. While Bap wasn't arrested, his friend was, and he spent a night in police custody waiting for a Gaeilge-English translator as he refused to speak in English to the police officers on duty. Since releasing their debut album in 2018, the band has been the center of several other controversies. Notably, they became involved in a legal battle with the UK government in 2024 after they were awarded a $18,970 (£14,250) music industry grant but were later blocked because of their creative output, which regularly promotes Irish republicanism and opposition to British rule in Northern Ireland. The group filed a discrimination lawsuit against the UK government, which they won. While performing in Australia in March, the band brought onstage the head of a statue of George V, which had been removed from a park in Victoria during a series of protests against colonial monuments in 2024. The band performed on both weekends of the festival, with both performances featuring political messaging voiced by the band and projected onto the screens behind them. NME reported that during their first performance, the trio led the audience in a chant about the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which was censored from the livestream on the festival's official YouTube page. The band responded to the article on X, saying it was "not the only thing that was cut," as they also included messaging regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict in their set. At the end of their show during the second weekend of Coachella on April 18, which the organizers did not stream, three messages appeared on the screens behind the band. "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people," the projected messages read. "It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. Fuck Israel; free Palestine." During the performance, the band led the audience in chants of "Free, free Palestine." Kneecap was not the only artist at Coachella who shared political messaging about the war in Gaza at the festival. Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong altered the lyrics of "Jesus of Suburbia" and sang "Runnin' away from pain, like the kids from Palestine (the original line is: "Runnin' away from pain when you've been victimized"). Bob Vylan and Blonde Redhead, two of the festival's smaller acts, displayed the Palestinian flag during their sets, according to video footage taken by attendees. One prominent industry figure who spoke out against Kneecap was Sharon Osbourne, the wife and manager of Black Sabbath front man Ozzy Osbourne. In a lengthy post on X on April 22, she criticized Goldenvoice, the festival organizer, as it had allowed "artists to use the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression" and said that the 2025 festival will be remembered "as a festival that compromised its moral and spiritual integrity." The Hollywood Reporter reported that Goldenvoice was "blindsided" by the messaging in Kneecap's set. Osbourne also called out Green Day, which headlined the Saturday evening of the festival on both weekends, stating that their inclusion of pro-Palestinian sentiments "would have been more appropriate at their own concert, not at a festival." She found more fault with Kneecap, stating that the band "took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements." She asked her followers to join in her "advocating for the revocation of Kneecap's work visa." The next day, it was reported that the Metropolitan Police in the UK were assessing a video taken at a Kneecap concert in London in November 2024, which had been published on social media. The BBC reported that the footage appeared to show a member of the group shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" while draped in a Hezbollah flag. The two militant groups are considered terrorist organizations by the UK, and expressing support for either is forbidden under the Terrorism Act 2000. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that it had been made aware of the video and had been "referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required." Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, told Rolling Stone in an email that the band has spoken about Palestinian conflict "at every single gig since the band's formation." "We believe we have an obligation to use our platform when we can to raise the issue of Palestine," he said in the statement published on April 23, "and it was important for us to speak out at Coachella as the USA is the main funder and supplier of weapons to Israel as they commit genocide in Gaza." He added that the band wasn't aware that their performance on the first weekend of Coachella had been cut short on Coachella's YouTube livestream until the next day. In response to Osbourne's call to have their visas revoked, he said her "rant has so many holes in it that it hardly warrants a reply, but she should listen to 'War Pigs' that was written by Black Sabbath." In a social media post on April 25, Kneecap described the response to their Coachella set as a "coordinated smear campaign." The Hollywood Reporter reported on April 24 that Independent Artist Group no longer represents the band in the US. Primary Talent International represents the band outside the US. The outlet said that IAG, which has artists such as Metallica, Billy Joel, and 50 Cent on its roster, parted ways with Kneecap between the first and second Coachella weekends. The booking agency previously sponsored the trio's US work visas, but that is no longer the case, per The Hollywood Reporter. Without valid work visas, individuals from overseas cannot work in the US. The band's website states that they are scheduled to begin a US tour on October 1, which consists of 21 dates and is mostly sold out. Representatives for Kneecap did not respond to a request for comment sent from Business Insider regarding the split from IAG and the status of their upcoming US shows. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Meet Kneecap, the Irish hip-hop trio who sparked controversy with their provocative political performance at Coachella
Kneecap has been making headlines for a number of years, but the hip-hop group's latest appearance at Coachella has caught the attention of the world. The Belfast-based group performed on both weekends at the California festival. As has become custom for their shows, their performances included heavy political messaging about the conflict in Gaza. While Coachella organizers attempted to censor the band after the first weekend by removing their set from the festival's livestream, this only increased interest in the performance. Here's everything you need to know about the band and what's happened since their Coachella performance. Kneecap is known for provocative lyrics and outspoken political views The band, which formed in 2017, is made up of rappers Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, who rap in both English and Irish. The band's "shows and tracks flip between satirical performance art and rampageous raves," reads their Spotify biography. In 2025, their semi-autobiographical film, "Kneecap," won the BAFTA for outstanding debut, recognizing the work of first-time director Rich Peppiatt. In the film, Chara, Bap, and DJ Próvaí played versions of themselves alongside Michael Fassbender. The Irish Times reports that the band's debut song "C.E.A.R.T.A." was inspired by a run-in with the police after Bap and his friend were caught spray-painting the word, which is Irish for "rights," on a bus stop. While Bap wasn't arrested, his friend was, and he spent a night in police custody waiting for a Gaeilge-English translator as he refused to speak in English to the police officers on duty. Since releasing their debut album in 2018, the band has been the center of several other controversies. Notably, they became involved in a legal battle with the UK government in 2024 after they were awarded a $18,970 (£14,250) music industry grant but were later blocked because of their creative output, which regularly promotes Irish republicanism and opposition to British rule in Northern Ireland. The group filed a discrimination lawsuit against the UK government, which they won. While performing in Australia in March, the band brought onstage the head of a statue of George V, which had been removed from a park in Victoria during a series of protests against colonial monuments in 2024. Kneecap made their debut performance at Coachella on April 11 The band performed on both weekends of the festival, with both performances featuring political messaging voiced by the band and projected onto the screens behind them. NME reported that during their first performance, the trio led the audience in a chant about the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which was censored from the livestream on the festival's official YouTube page. The band responded to the article on X, saying it was "not the only thing that was cut," as they also included messaging regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict in their set. At the end of their show during the second weekend of Coachella on April 18, which the organizers did not stream, three messages appeared on the screens behind the band. "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people," the projected messages read. "It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. Fuck Israel; free Palestine." Some uncensored messaging to Coachella 🤝🇵🇸 — KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 19, 2025 During the performance, the band led the audience in chants of "Free, free Palestine." Kneecap was not the only artist at Coachella who shared political messaging about the war in Gaza at the festival. Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong altered the lyrics of "Jesus of Suburbia" and sang "Runnin' away from pain, like the kids from Palestine (the original line is: "Runnin' away from pain when you've been victimized"). Bob Vylan and Blonde Redhead, two of the festival's smaller acts, displayed the Palestinian flag during their sets, according to video footage taken by attendees. Kneecap faces a wave of criticism over their Coachella performances One prominent industry figure who spoke out against Kneecap was Sharon Osbourne, the wife and manager of Black Sabbath front man Ozzy Osbourne. In a lengthy post on X on April 22, she criticized Goldenvoice, the festival organizer, as it had allowed "artists to use the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression" and said that the 2025 festival will be remembered "as a festival that compromised its moral and spiritual integrity." The Hollywood Reporter reported that Goldenvoice was "blindsided" by the messaging in Kneecap's set. Osbourne also called out Green Day, which headlined the Saturday evening of the festival on both weekends, stating that their inclusion of pro-Palestinian sentiments "would have been more appropriate at their own concert, not at a festival." She found more fault with Kneecap, stating that the band "took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements." She asked her followers to join in her "advocating for the revocation of Kneecap's work visa." The next day, it was reported that the Metropolitan Police in the UK were assessing a video taken at a Kneecap concert in London in November 2024, which had been published on social media. The BBC reported that the footage appeared to show a member of the group shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" while draped in a Hezbollah flag. The two militant groups are considered terrorist organizations by the UK, and expressing support for either is forbidden under the Terrorism Act 2000. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that it had been made aware of the video and had been "referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required." Kneecap responds to the Coachella fallout Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, told Rolling Stone in an email that the band has spoken about Palestinian conflict "at every single gig since the band's formation." "We believe we have an obligation to use our platform when we can to raise the issue of Palestine," he said in the statement published on April 23, "and it was important for us to speak out at Coachella as the USA is the main funder and supplier of weapons to Israel as they commit genocide in Gaza." He added that the band wasn't aware that their performance on the first weekend of Coachella had been cut short on Coachella's YouTube livestream until the next day. In response to Osbourne's call to have their visas revoked, he said her "rant has so many holes in it that it hardly warrants a reply, but she should listen to 'War Pigs' that was written by Black Sabbath." In a social media post on April 25, Kneecap described the response to their Coachella set as a "coordinated smear campaign." Kneecap splits with their US agent The Hollywood Reporter reported on April 24 that Independent Artist Group no longer represents the band in the US. Primary Talent International represents the band outside the US. The outlet said that IAG, which has artists such as Metallica, Billy Joel, and 50 Cent on its roster, parted ways with Kneecap between the first and second Coachella weekends. The booking agency previously sponsored the trio's US work visas, but that is no longer the case, per The Hollywood Reporter. Without valid work visas, individuals from overseas cannot work in the US. The band's website states that they are scheduled to begin a US tour on October 1, which consists of 21 dates and is mostly sold out. Representatives for Kneecap did not respond to a request for comment sent from Business Insider regarding the split from IAG and the status of their upcoming US shows.
