Kneecap: Do scholars in west Belfast ‘stand with Kneecap?’

Irish rap crew Kneecap were within the highlight for arguable causes this week and BBC News NI requested younger lovers of their west Belfast house if their perspectives of the gang have modified.

The controversy started when a video of a November 2023 gig emerged by 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 stated they’re going to examine on-line movies appearing Kneecap calling for the loss of life of British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

Kneecap stated they’ve by no means supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would no longer incite violence in opposition to any person.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the United Kingdom and this can be a crime to specific beef up for them.

The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox later referred to as on Kneecap to provide a “real apology”.

Katie Amess, whose father Sir David Amess was once an MP when he was once murdered in 2021, stated she was once “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 movies were taken out of context.

Plenty of politicians have referred to as for the Irish rap band to be uninvited from UK gigs.

Some of the band’s performances were cancelled however numerous artists have signed a joint remark in beef up of Kneecap.

But what do scholars and younger folks at the Falls Road in west Belfast suppose?

PE and Primary Education pupil Naoise McCrory, 19, has been keen on Kneecap for a couple of years and stated her opinion at the crew hasn’t modified.

“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 stated.

“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 move and notice Kneecap of their Belfast live performance at Boucher and says she is going to “100% still go to their gig”.

Cinematography and images pupil Cian Davison, 24, stated he does not trust what Kneecap were announcing not too long ago however he enjoys their track.

“I think they’re putting Irish language back on the map,” he stated.

“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 any one, to make a violent risk is disappointing, love it’s no longer on and should not occur anyplace regardless of who you might be or the place you might be from.

“I don’t agree with what they’ve been saying lately but I do enjoy their music.”

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 numerous prone, younger lovers that will do the rest that they are saying so I believe it is vital that they watch what they are saying.”