Kneecap - CMU | the music business explained (Page 2)

Kneecap distance themselves from past on-stage remarks, but remain forthright in response to critics

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Kneecap • 3 min read

Kneecap distance themselves from past on-stage remarks, but remain forthright in response to critics

Kneecap have responded to the recent controversies about past on-stage remarks, which have become newsworthy following their Coachella sets. They insist they don’t support Hamas and would never incite violence, adding past comments are being misrepresented “to manufacture moral hysteria”…

Chris Cooke • 29 Apr 2025

Conservative leader calls for Kneecap to be prosecuted over “kill your local MP” statement, as potential US visa issues mount for the group

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Kneecap • 4 min read

Conservative leader calls for Kneecap to be prosecuted over “kill your local MP” statement, as potential US visa issues mount for the group

Kneecap are facing mounting criticism over past comments in support of Hamas and declaring that “the only good Tory is a dead Tory”. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wants the rap group prosecuted, while speculation increases that Donald Trump’s government could block them from touring in the US…

Chris Cooke • 28 Apr 2025

Sharon Osbourne calls for Kneecap’s US visa to be revoked over pro-Palestine statements during Coachella set

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Kneecap • 4 min read

Sharon Osbourne calls for Kneecap’s US visa to be revoked over pro-Palestine statements during Coachella set

Sharon Osbourne has criticised Kneecap for projecting anti-Israel statements onto screens at the end of their Coachella set. She even calls for the US to revoke the band’s visa, a call that comes amid increased concern that activist artists may be refused entry into the US with Trump as President…

Chris Cooke • 23 Apr 2025

UK government “broke own laws” by blocking Kneecap export grant

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Kneecap • 3 min read

UK government “broke own laws” by blocking Kneecap export grant

Kneecap went legal earlier this year after the then Conservative government stopped them from receiving funding via the Music Export Growth Scheme on political grounds. The new Labour government agrees that blocking the grant in that way was unlawful, meaning the rap trio has won their legal action…

Chris Cooke • 02 Dec 2024

Judge confirms Kneecap can take legal action against government

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Kneecap • 2 min read

Judge confirms Kneecap can take legal action against government

Kneecap have been granted leave to apply for a judicial review of the decision by UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch to block grant funding because of the group’s political output. That decision, says Kneecap’s lawyer, was an attack on freedom of expression and the Good Friday Agreement…

Chris Cooke • 21 Jun 2024

Texas governor tells SXSW boycotters “don’t come back”

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SXSW • 2 min read

Texas governor tells SXSW boycotters “don’t come back”

South By Southwest has commented on the decision of 60 acts to pull out of this year’s festival because of the involvement of the US Army and defence companies in the event. Organisers defend those partnerships but say they respect the decisions of the artists who have decided to join the boycott…

Chris Cooke • 13 Mar 2024

Kneecap among the bands boycotting SXSW over involvement of US army and defence companies

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SXSW • 2 min read

Kneecap among the bands boycotting SXSW over involvement of US army and defence companies

Belfast rap group Kneecap are among 60 artists who have pulled out of this week’s South By Southwest festival in protest at the presence of the US Army and defence companies at the event, because of those organisations’ connections to the conflict in Gaza…

Chris Cooke • 12 Mar 2024

MU says blocking of Kneecap funding may breach Human Rights Act

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Kneecap • 2 min read

MU says blocking of Kneecap funding may breach Human Rights Act

Earlier this month UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch blocked MEGS funding for Belfast hip hop group Kneecap because of the politics of their music. In a new letter to the minister, Musicians’ Union General Secretary Noami Pohl says that intervention may breach the Human Rights Act…

Chris Cooke • 26 Feb 2024

Setlist Podcast: When arts funding and politics collide

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: When arts funding and politics collide

Kneecap threaten to sue the British government for blocking funding to expand their international career, and MLC goes legal over mechanical royalties on its free service…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 16 Feb 2024

UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch’s decision to block MEGS funding for Kneecap “unlawful” says band as it prepares legal action

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Kneecap • 3 min read

UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch’s decision to block MEGS funding for Kneecap “unlawful” says band as it prepares legal action

UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenock is facing both parliamentary questions and legal action after her department stopped Northern Irish rap group Kneecap from receiving MEGS funding because of the politics of their output…

Chris Cooke • 12 Feb 2024

One Liners: Moneybagg Yo, Shygirl, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry + more

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One Liners - quickfire news from the music business • 4 min read

One Liners: Moneybagg Yo, Shygirl, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry + more

New deals for Moneybagg Yo, Riot Games, Gun and Heriot; appointments at Universal Music and ASM Global; new music from Shygirl, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Sprints, William Doyle, Lime Garden, Jaakko Eino Kalevi and Kneecap…

Andy Malt • 16 Nov 2023

One Liners: Take That, X Ambassadors, Rolling Stone UK Awards + more

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One Liners - quickfire news from the music business • 2 min read

One Liners: Take That, X Ambassadors, Rolling Stone UK Awards + more

Kneecap sign to Heavenly; Downtown and Primary Talent appointments; new releases from Take That, X Ambassadors, DJ Shadow and 070 Shake; Yard Act tour dates; and Rolling Stone UK Awards launched…

Andy Malt • 25 Sep 2023