Kneecap is hip-hop with a political message whose popularity extends beyond the borders of Northern Ireland. They are known for their provocative political views, but the core of their work is not empty controversy - they treat music as a tool to change their country.
This text has been auto-translated from Polish.
There are controversial artists in the world of contemporary music, but not like Kneecap - a Belfast trio that combines Irish hip-hop with political messages that provoke both admiration and outrage. Their work touches on themes of anti-colonialism, Northern Irish history, the struggle for the Irish language and global conflicts such as the situation in Palestine.
The lineup formed by Mo Chara, Móglaí Bapa and DJ Próvaí is not only successful on the music scene, but has also won clashes with the British government, won film awards and contributed to the revival of the Irish language. An analysis of their lyrics shows how deeply embedded in history and politics their music is - for them, rap is not just entertainment, but a tool in the struggle for identity.
The Endless Troubles
Kneecap is the children of the Good Friday Agreement, concluded in 1998 between the governments of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which ended the conflict known as The Troubles. It is one of the most brutal and complicated civil wars in Western European history. For three decades, Republicans (Catholics, seeking reunification with the Republic of Ireland) and Loyalists (Protestants, wanting to remain in the United Kingdom) clashed in street battles, terrorist attacks and a brutal campaign of war.
It took a long time to work out agreements, and after they were signed, Northern Ireland remained politically, religiously and culturally divided. To this day, Belfast has separate Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods, and the subject of the unity of the two Ireland's still stirs up huge emotions.
Kneecap's popularity grew on this ground - their music is full of references to The Troubles, the IRA, drugs, Catholicism and Irish culture, but also satire and irony.
The trio debuted in 2017 with the single "C.E.A.R.T.A." (Irish for "rights"), which told the story of the repression of Irish speakers in Northern Ireland. The song was inspired by a true story - Móglaí Bap and an acquaintance sprayed graffiti with the word "Cearta" on a bus stop before a demonstration for language rights. After that, the musician's friend was arrested and refused to speak to the police in English.
The single quickly attracted media attention, especially when Irish-language radio station RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta banned it due to drug references and vulgarity. The ban was successful, but counterproductive - it increased Kneecap's popularity and helped them build a reputation as a band unafraid to break conventions. But the band did not shy away from controversial topics from the very beginning.
Symbol of Republican rebellion
Its name is a reference to "kneecapping," the IRA's various factions' brutal method of punishing traitors, pedophiles and drug dealers by shooting them in the knees, ankles and elbows with six gun shots (the so-called six-pack). In this way, the IRA was said to have "punished" more than 2,500 people during The Troubles.
Although the musicians assure that their activities are not intended to glorify violence, they make no secret of their identity as "Republican hooligans" (Republican Hoods). Their concerts often bring together young Irish people from Belfast and Dublin, as well as fans from outside the country interested in their sharp, provocative narrative. Dozens and sometimes hundreds of Irish flags in the hands of fans are a normal sight.
Many have accused them of promoting anti-Britishness, especially after the release of the song "Get Your Brits Out," which became the anthem of the Republican demonstrations. The main targets attacked in the lyrics are Christopher Stalford, Samuel Wilson and Sammy Wilson - representatives of Northern Ireland's DUP (Democratic Loyalist Party), a national-conservative party whose main goal is to leave Northern Ireland to the British crown. Party representatives accused the musicians of their "romanticization of terrorism."
Kneecap's first album, "3CAG," was released in 2018. The title refers to slang for MDMA (in Irish, "three consonants and a vowel"). The band ironically played with stereotypes about Irish youth, creating a picture of a partying but politically and socially conscious generation. In "Sick in the Head," the band moved away from direct politics and focused on mental chaos and hedonism. It's a song full of the drug-induced visions, inner rifts and nihilism that often appear in Irish rap.
"Guilty Conscience" is one of Kneecap's most personal songs, in which the band alludes to the trauma of a Catholic upbringing and moral contradictions across the island. "Better Way to Live" is a track is one of Kneecap's most openly political numbers. It is an ironic narrative about how a "better way to live" would be to live under British control - which of course is pure mockery.
"Kneecap" - from history to mythology
In January 2024, the film Kneecap, which tells the story of the band's beginnings, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The production, in which Michael Fassbender played one of the roles, won the Audience Award and was widely reported as one of the most provocative works of Irish cinema in recent years. In addition, the film was the first Irish-language production at the festival.
The film portrays a fictional, exaggerated version of the band's history, depicting them as young people balancing on the edge of the law. The production even features former Sinn Féin Republican Party leader Gerry Adams, which has further heated up the atmosphere surrounding the film. "I've been a big fan of Kneecap since they were still called Ní Ceapainn - a clever use of the Irish phrase and wordplay for Kneecapping. [Kneecap rappers are brilliant. Provocative. Clever. Funny. Satirical. Politically and textually in tune with their roots. And very, very talented. Which is what brought me to their film. Be warned! He is also provocative," the politician wrote on the Belfast Media website.
After its success at festivals, Kneecap fought for an Oscar nomination for Best International Film and Best Original Song ("Sick in the Head"). Ultimately, the musicians will not have the opportunity to fight for the statuette. There was a suggestion on their social media that the decision of the academy's board was due to Kneecap's solidarity with Palestine and open criticism of Israel.
"Fuck the Oscars. Free Palestine," the musicians commented on their Instagram. In total, the film directed by Rich Peppiatt won 19 different awards and 64 nominations, including a BAFTA - the most important award in the British film world - while hitting two seemingly contradictory categories: best British film and best foreign language film. In the end, the British academy awarded Kneecap only for best directorial debut.
The band openly supports the Palestinian cause. Palestinian flags often fly at their concerts, and on social media they have repeatedly criticized Israel for its policies toward Palestinians.
In 2024, Kneecap organized a fundraiser to build a gym in the Aida refugee camp to rehabilitate young Palestinians who lost limbs in Israeli attacks. Their commitment to the Palestinian cause has further divided public opinion - for some, they have become fighters for global justice, for others, sympathizers of extremist ideologies.
Kneecap vs. the British government
2023. Kneecap applied for funding from the Music Export Development Program, an independent arts initiative supported by the British government to promote artists abroad. The application was approved by the British Phonographic Industry Panel, which administers the program.
However, the fund is overseen by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch (Conservative Party) at 2024 decided to revoke the grant. A government spokesman explained that the state does not intend to fund those "opposed to the existence of the United Kingdom." The value of the grant was £14,250.
Kneecap sued the UK government and in November 2024 won the case in court, forcing London to pay the funds. In a gesture of symbolic revenge, they donated the entire amount to organizations supporting Catholic and Protestant youth in Belfast, stressing that "London has no right to dictate to Ireland what is its culture." DJ Próvaí said: "For us, this action was never about the amount of £14,250, it could have been 50 pence."
Cé mhéad duine a labhraíonn Gaeilge?
The band's greatest achievement, however, is not their provocative political views or style, but their impact on popularizing the Irish language. Thanks to them, young people in Northern Ireland are increasingly learning Irish not out of a sense of duty, but out of pride and fascination with the culture.
Ireland's Central Statistics Office surveyed the population in 2022 about Irish language skills. Of the nearly 2 million people claiming knowledge of Irish, 10 percent spoke it very well and another 32 percent described their knowledge as good. That makes about 780,000 Irish speakers at a decent level.
It's worth bearing in mind that Irish didn't become the official language of Northern Ireland (on par with English) until December 2022. The Identity and Language Act contains a number of key provisions, including official recognition and protection of the Irish language and support for Ulster Scots and Ulster British culture. It also provides for the appointment of two commissioners - one responsible for the Irish language and another for Ulster Scots/Ulster British heritage. In addition, the document calls for the creation of an Office of Cultural Identity and Expression, as well as a £4 million investment in Irish language development.
Will Ireland be united?
According to a survey published in February 2020 by the Belfast Telegraph, 29 percent of Northern Irish residents supported reunification with Ireland, while 52 percent favored remaining in the United Kingdom. However, support for reunification varied by age group - among those aged 18-24, it was 48 percent, while 43 percent were against. Among older age groups, support for remaining in the UK clearly prevailed.
In contrast, according to a poll published in December 2022 by The Irish Times, differences by religious affiliation were evident - among Catholics, 55 percent supported reunification, while 21 percent were against. Among Protestants, only 4 percent favored reunification, while as many as 79 percent opposed it.
These surveys show that almost 30 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, divisions along religious and national lines are still evident. There's also the age factor, where the younger generation has a far greater pro-Republican tilt.
Kneecap is not just a band, but a cultural phenomenon that combines music, politics and Irish identity. Their story is one of struggle for language, freedom of expression and opposition to the colonial past. They demand full recognition of the Irish language, criticize British rule in Northern Ireland, oppose censorship and political repression, and support other resistance movements like the Palestine cause.
Their music is modern nationalism to the beat of hip-hop - rebellious, leftist and anti-colonial. Kneecap is not only changing the music scene, but also influencing culture and politics. Their voice is hard to ignore even in London. Is Kneecap the future of Irish music or just a temporary scandal? One thing is certain - their voice is loud and impossible to ignore.
