Kneecap Reclaims History with Third Album Fenian

"No member of Kneecap has been convicted of any crime." – Mo Chara, rejecting media portrayals of the band.

Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap has released their third album, Fenian, a work that confronts the Israel-Gaza conflict, personal loss, and the legal battles of band member Mo Chara. The album's title, drawn from an ancient Irish warrior term later used as a slur against Irish people in Northern Ireland, represents the group's effort to reclaim a word long weaponized against their community.

Themes and Tracks

'Palestine' features Palestinian rapper Fawzi and expresses solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

"The Irish relate to Palestinian colonialism due to Ireland's own history." – Mo Chara

'Irish Goodbye' serves as a tribute to Móglaí Bap's mother, who died by suicide, reflecting on the ache of missing ordinary, mundane moments with loved ones.

'Carnival' details Mo Chara's legal troubles, including a terrorism charge in London for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance—a charge that was ultimately dismissed.

Band Statements and Context

Mo Chara noted that legal challenges and a major Wembley gig during album production served as inspirations rather than hindrances.

Móglaí Bap criticized governments for focusing attention on bands instead of weapons manufacturers profiting from wars.

Regarding reported visa issues for North American tours, Mo Chara clarified that the group mutually decided to change promoters and was not denied visas.

Influences and Activism

The band cites Irish rebel music and the hip-hop duo The Rubberbandits as key influences for their use of Irish accents and self-deprecating humor.

Their activism predates their music career. Kneecap members were involved in pro-Palestinian work before the band's formation, including fundraising for a gym at the Aida Refugee Camp in 2018.

The group primarily raps in Irish, aiming to highlight the growing number of young people in Belfast who willingly choose to speak the language.