Belfast rap trio Kneecap have seen their upcoming gig at the Eden Project in July cancelled after one of the group appeared to call for Conservative MPs to be killed and another appeared to shout “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” in historical gig footage.
A reason for the show’s cancellation was not given but the group has been outspoken in support for Palestine and criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Since criticising Israel at the Coachella music festival in the US earlier this month, the group has come under renewed criticism, including for a resurfaced clip from 2023 where a member allegedly told the crowd at a gig to “kill your local MP”.
They have since apologised to the families of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death in 2021, and Labour MP Jo Cox, who was stabbed and shot in 2016, saying “we never intended to cause you hurt”.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the group said they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.
Politicians have since called for Glastonbury to remove the group from the line-up this summer after video emerged of the group at a November 2023 gig appearing to show one member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Scotland Yard is looking into the incident, along with another concert from November 2024 in which a member of the band appeared to shout “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” – groups which are banned as terrorist organisations in the UK.
But it's not the first time Belfast hip-hop trio has found itself at the centre of a political firestorm over their inflammatory comments.
Who are Kneecap?
Kneecap is made up of Mo Chara (Liam Og O Hannaidh), Moglai Bap (Naoise O Caireallain) and DJ Provai (JJ O Dochartaigh) and the trio hail from west Belfast. The band formed in 2017 and are known for merging Irish and English in their music alongside politically charged and satirical lyrics.
The band took its name from kneecapping, a common form of paramilitary punishment in Northern Ireland during The Troubles in which someone is shot or hit repeatedly on both knees.
Since they emerged eight years ago, Kneecap have created their own genre of Irish punk rap - with shows and tracks flipping between satirical performance art and rampageous raves.
Their debut single - CEARTA - was based on band member Bap's experience of being stopped by police for spray-painting cearta, the Irish word for rights, on a bus stop.
C.E.A.R.T.A )"cearta" means "rights" in Irish), set the tone for their unique blend of rap in Irish, combining both cultural pride and activism.
Why are Kneecap controversial?
Before the heightened criticism over the past week, the rap trio had already received some criticism and censorship over their music and was in dispute with now-Tory leader Kemi Badenoch when they launched a discrimination case.
The trio were blocked by the former Conservative government from receiving a grant aimed at supporting UK artists, despite their application being successful.
The Department of Business and Trade, which was headed by Ms Badenoch at the time, said they did not want to give taxpayers’ money to people who “oppose the United Kingdom itself”.
The group took legal action against the government, claiming the decision was discriminatory and won in November 2024, receiving £14,250 – the total amount of the original grant.
The trio donated the money to two youth organisations in Belfast, splitting it between a nationalist and a unionist area.
What about Kneecap's film success?
In 2024, the band released an eponymous debut film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender which is a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together.
The film was nominated for six Baftas and took home the award for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer.
It was also among the big winners at the Irish Film and Television Academy (Ifta), scooping four awards including best director for Rich Peppiatt.
What have other musicians said about Kneecap?
Just last month, Sir Elton John spoke of his admiration for Kneecap and their “energy” and “vitality”.
Speaking to broadcaster Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 6 Music, the 77-year old musician said: “I saw a video of them, and I just was so knocked out, by the energy they had and the vitality they had.
“They’re just extraordinary and they, what they talk about is political, and there’s not many bands that do that. So, yeah, I love them. I love the energy. I love everything about them.”
But Kneecap faced criticism in the US over its recent performance during the major music festival Coachella, held in California. At Coachella, Kneecap displayed messages which read: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people”, “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes” and “F*** Israel. Free Palestine”.
Following their Coachella performance, former The X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne called for Kneecap's US work visas to be revoked. Osbourne called the images at Coachella “projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech”.
The music manager and wife of Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne wrote on X: “As someone of both Irish Catholic on my mother’s side and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage on her father’s side and extensive experience in the music industry, I understand the complexities involved.
“I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa.”
Kneecap were later dropped by their visa sponsor and are now seeking a new one ahead of their sold-out North American tour scheduled for October
However the trio received support from US rapper Macklemore, American-Irish comedian Des Bishop, Love Island star Matthew MacNabb and US singer Carsie Blanton.
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