Anyone who has seen the film of the same name knows that these three don’t go unnoticed. They are vocal, very vocal; they dive in at the deep end, head first and without hesitation; their lyrics are shots of denunciation; their concerts are a spectacle of irreverent and political hip-hop. Everything is political. The Irish trio KNEECAP will perform on June 9 at La Riviera, their first concert in Madrid outside of a festival.
New KNEECAP album on the horizon
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This concert is part of a tour that will take the band across Europe to present their new album, Fenian. The album has a release date: April 24. And, of course, it comes with a clear statement of intent:
“They tried to stop us by labeling KNEECAP ‘terrorists’, with cancellations and statements from the prime minister himself. We had all the motivation we needed… This is not a knee-jerk reaction, but a thoughtful response to those who tried to silence us. And they failed. Inspired and proud to call ourselves “Fenians,” warriors of Irish folklore and, later, a derogatory term for Irish people. Now we use it to name all those who speak truth to power. After 800 years of colonization, they thought the Irish language would die, but it didn’t. Thanks to Muintir na Gaeltachta and all the Gaels who refused to let their culture and language be destroyed.”
KNEECAP: You can get out of prison, but not off the stage
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KNEECAP were born in Belfast and their first single C.E.A.R.T.A. became the cornerstone of everything they are, everything they stand for: bringing the Gaelic language (Gaeilge, to be precise) to the streets beyond the folk songs of Northern Ireland. And using it in a staunch defense song by song.
KNEECAP’s impact in putting Gaelic back on the map is clear: a growing number of students learning the language and the revitalization of Gaelscoileanna schools in Northern Ireland. Hip-hop is making Gaeilgeeveryone’s language again, even modern and “cool,” a symbol of resistance and identity.
But also its influence in serving as a mouthpiece for the genocide of the Palestinian people, an issue for which Mo Chara (pseudonym of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) was charged with terrorism and acquitted of all charges.