Kneecap was formed in 2017 by the three members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí. They are known for their provocative songs which are laden with explicit lyrics that are often politically driven. A good amount of their repertoire expresses their disdain for British rule in Northern Ireland. They are also more fondly known for their campaigning of the Irish language, as Naoise's father, Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, was one of the pioneers of Belfast's original Irish language movement. He passed last Friday and was paid tribute to by the band members and the Irish President.
Towards the end of November, Kneecap won a challenge against the UK government over Badenoch's decision to withdraw a £14,250 arts grant they were given while she was a business and trade minister. They were subsequently given that same amount back after the government decided not to continue contesting the challenge as it did "not believe it is in the public interest" or a "priority," a decision which Badenoch called "unbelievable."
"Labour will always capitulate rather than defend UK interests," her spokesperson said. Badenoch is a proponent of British culture and Christian values, despite not being a practicing Christian herself. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, making Kneecap eligible for UK-based grants. The controversy and over whether or not Northern Ireland should be reunited with Ireland has been ongoing for over a century, since Northern Ireland was annexed by the UK in 1921.
The band applied for the grant in 2023. It was designated to support UK-registered artists in global markets in 2023, BBC News reports. Their lawyer called the Badenoch's decision to have it revoked "unlawful and procedurally unfair." After they won the suit, the band said she and her department "tried to silence us and they have failed."
Spiked author Brendan O'Neill had harsh words for the band, saying "They rap in English and Irish. They rap about taking rhino-strength ket. ‘Let’s rob a vet’, they say. I’ll bet my Irish citizenship they never have. They rap about how much they hate the filth. ‘F*ck the RUC!’, they say on ‘Incognito’, referring to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, which hasn’t existed since 2001. ‘I’m a hood, lowlife scum’, they cry. They aren’t. They’re basically Irish-language activists who, in the words of Malachi O’Doherty, have ‘worked diligently at presenting themselves as worthless layabouts’. They’re the cultural class larping as chavs, the Rachel Dolezals of republican chic."
Of their win in court, he said "Kneecap won their case against the British government. Of course they did. The judiciary, like every other wing of the capitalist order, loves the larping layabouts." He went on to say that "Kneecap doll up as republicans while giving voice to the wildly anti-republican, New Ireland view that the Irish are too traumatised to get their own shit together, far less shape the destiny of the nation."
Then, the band experienced another win just three weeks later, last Thursday, when a biopic about them entitled "Kneecap" won Best Irish Feature of 2024. The three members played themselves in the partially fictionalized film that portrays the group's origins and how they mastered incorporating the original Irish language into their lyrics. They starred alongside Oscar-nominated Michal Fassbender, who played Naoise's father. The film also won an audience award at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it premiered as the first Irish language film to be submitted.
As for the grant money, the group said it will split it between two Belfast charities, Glór Na Móna in Ballymurphy and RCity Belfast on the Shankill Road. The charities focus on local and international programs with an emphasis on youth, art and culture.
