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Do young people in west Belfast 'stand with Kneecap'?

Faye Kidd
BBC News NI
Reporting fromFalls Road, Belfast
BBC In white spray paint, 'Silence = complicity/Seas le Kneecap [stand with Kneecap in Irish]' is written on a dark pink wall. BBC
Graffiti has appeared on the Falls Road showing solidarity with Kneecap

Irish rap group Kneecap have been in the spotlight for controversial reasons this week and BBC News NI asked young fans in their west Belfast home if their views of the group have changed.

The controversy began when a video of a November 2023 gig emerged in which a member of the west Belfast trio says: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said they will investigate online videos showing Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah".

Kneecap said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them.

The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox later called on Kneecap to give a "real apology".

Katie Amess, whose father Sir David Amess was an MP when he was murdered in 2021, said she was "gobsmacked at the stupidity of somebody or a group of people being in the public eye and saying such dangerous, violent rhetoric".

Kneecap say the videos have been taken out of context.

A number of politicians have called for the Irish rap band to be uninvited from UK gigs.

Some of the band's performances have been cancelled but a number of artists have signed a joint statement in support of Kneecap and freedom of expression through the band's label Heavenly Recordings.

But what do young people on the Falls Road in west Belfast think?

'I'm still a fan'

Naoise McCrory is wearing a grey headband and has her long, light coloured hair curled. She is smiling at the camera. On her right shoulder she is holding a brown leather bag strap and is wearing a grey crewneck jumper with a black Nike tick in the centre. She is stood in front of a closed shop front and an alleyway but the background is blurred.
Naoise McCrory is going to see Kneecap perform in August

PE and Primary Education student Naoise McCrory, 19, has been a fan of Kneecap for a few years and said her opinion on the group hasn't changed.

"Although there's a lot of controversy right now I'm still a fan of Kneecap and I think what they're doing is they're just spreading awareness on major issues that are going on right now in other parts of the world," she said.

"I can understand completely why some people have been offended but at the same time I just think personally what they're doing is that they're just trying to spread awareness and some things have been taken too literally and people can be offended on both sides."

Naoise has tickets to go and see Kneecap in their Belfast concert at Boucher Playing Fields and says she will "100% still go to their gig".

'Susceptible, young fans'

Cian Davidson smiles at the camera while standing on the street beside a white van. He is wearing a beige baseball-style cap and has long hair. He is wearing a pair of silver-rimmed glasses, with a silver earring in one ear and has two white shell necklaces. He is also wearing a blue rain jacket, a black t-shirt and has a grey backpack strap over one shoulder.
Cian Davidson thinks the trio are a good way for younger people to explore the Irish language

Cinematography and photography student Cian Davison, 24, said he doesn't agree with what Kneecap have been saying recently but he enjoys their music.

"I think they're putting Irish language back on the map," he said.

"They're very talented individuals, not afraid to wear their identity on their chest and I really enjoy their music. I think they're a great artform and platform for young people to listen to and to relate to.

"Obviously to threaten anybody, to make a violent threat is disappointing, like it's not on and shouldn't happen anywhere no matter who you are or where you're from."

Cian added: "Depending on what they say in the future, obviously they should be allowed to have freedom of speech within their artcraft.

"They have a lot of susceptible, young fans that would do anything that they say so I think it's important that they watch what they say."

'I still listen to their music'

Chloe Bell stands on the street on the Falls Road and is smiling at the camera. She has shoulder-length brown hair with some blonde highlights. She is wearing a zipped up grey Queen's University Belfast fleece and has a brown leather bag strap on her shoulder.
Chloe Bell and her friends have tickets to see Kneecap support Fontaines DC at Belfast Vital in August

English literature student Chloe Bell, 20, is planning to watch Kneecap live when they support Fontaines DC at Belfast Vital in August.

She says she still supports Kneecap.

"I still listen to their music and I know people are just trying to badmouth them but sure nowadays people are always trying to badmouth people on the internet so everyone always has a problem with something," she said.

Chloe said she expects the concert this summer with Fontaines DC will go ahead.

'They can do what they want'

Aidan Toner has a neutral expression on his face as he looks at the camera. He has short black hair and a beard. He is wearing a beige and white varsity jacket with black embordered designs. Behind him are two shop fronts, one yellow and one red, that have their shutters down.
Aidan Toner from west Belfast believes Kneecap's gigs should not be cancelled

Aidan Toner, 21, is from west Belfast.

He said has seen some videos but they haven't changed his opinion on the trio at all.

"They're standing up for their country, as every person should... they can do what they want," he said.

"I like their music - I don't think the gigs should be cancelled."

'I still stand with them'

Eoin Ferry is smiling at the camera as he stands in front of large black, iron gates. He has short brown hair and is wearing a black backpack, a black zip-up jumper and a white t-shirt underneath.
Eoin Ferry has been a Kneecap fan for years

Music and Primary Education student Eoin Ferry, 19, said his opinion on Kneecap hasn't changed.

"I actually do love Kneecap," he said.

"I've followed them for years and I do love their music and I enjoy listening to them.

"I think that since I have been a fan for such a long time, it's not really changing my opinion on them. I still stand with them."

He added: "Personally as a musician myself, it's up to yourself if you want to [state political opinions].

"You shouldn't be made to do anything you don't want to do but if you want to I think that should be fine.

"Everyone's always going to have different opinions so I think Kneecap should just keep doing what they're doing and it's up to everyone else what they think of it."

Who are Kneecap?

Reuters Three men are standing smiling for a photo. Left, is wearing a black coat and holding a glass. He is smiling at the camera and has short brown hair. The one in the middle is wearing a grey tartan suit and a red tie. He is also wearing a balaclava which is green white and orange striped. On the right, a man has his arms around the one in the middle. He is wearing a dark coloured jacket and has short black hair.Reuters
The group go by the stage names of Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí and Móglaí Bap

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.