Belfast rap trio Kneecap released their second album 'Fenian' amid controversy from a dismissed UK terrorism charge. In an NME interview, the band discussed reclaiming derogatory terms, their pro-Palestine stance, and Ireland's rising cultural confidence. They described the legal battle as a 'carnival of distraction' from real issues.
Kneecap, the Belfast trio consisting of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, launched their sophomore album 'Fenian' on St George’s Day at Kingston’s Circuit. The record reclaims 'Fenian', a term from Irish folklore originally denoting warriors but later used as a slur against nationalists. “It was a band of warriors in old Irish stories that date back 1,500 years,” Móglaí Bap explained to NME. The band views language as a powerful tool against colonial narratives, flipping derogatory usage into defiance. They won a terrorism charge brought by the UK government over a past London gig, with the case thrown out despite significant resources spent on it, including a failed appeal. Mo Chara noted, “We expected to win. It just shows how ludicrous the whole case is.” The controversy stemmed from their Coachella 2025 performance chanting “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine,” which drew backlash including from Sharon Osbourne. An initial album was scrapped, leading to two months in Streatham with producer Dan Carey to create a more mature sound amid court appearances and a Wembley Arena show. “These things that should have been a hindrance... it was more of an inspiration,” Mo Chara said. Tracks like 'Carnival' address the trial as a distraction from Gaza, while 'Palestine' features Fawzi from Ramallah to build solidarity between Belfast and Palestine. Personal songs such as 'Irish Goodbye' reflect Móglaí Bap’s loss of his mother to depression. The band, rooted in Irish language activism, credits a “collective self-esteem” rise, with nearly 400 percent growth in Irish-medium education over 25 years. Mo Chara affirmed, “We understand that religious divide serves absolutely nobody,” distinguishing their anti-hate stance from misused anti-Semitism labels. Looking ahead, they aim to inspire global indigenous language movements.
