Irish-language rap group Kneecap has won a landmark discrimination case against the UK government after former business secretary Kemi Badenoch refused them funding.
The trio, known for their controversial lyrics, claimed that the decision to deny them a grant discriminated against them on the basis of their nationalist and political opinions.
On Friday, following a brief hearing at Belfast High Court, the government agreed to pay the group £14,250—the exact amount of the grant they initially applied for.
The controversy began when Kneecap applied for funding through the Music Export Growth Scheme, a program designed to support UK-registered artists in expanding into global markets.
Their application was initially approved by the British Phonographic Industry, which administers the scheme. However, the grant was later blocked by Badenoch, then serving as business secretary, under the oversight of the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport.
At the time, a government spokesperson defended the decision, citing the group’s nationalist leanings and stating that it was “hardly surprising” UK taxpayers’ money would not be used to support individuals perceived as opposing the United Kingdom.
Kneecap viewed the government’s actions as a direct attack on their cultural expression. Band member DJ Provai, also known as JJ O’Dochartaigh, expressed that the case was about much more than the £14,250 grant.
“This was an attack on artistic culture, an attack on the Good Friday Agreement itself, and an attack on Kneecap and our way of expressing ourselves,” he said.
Standing outside the court in his signature Irish tricolour balaclava and arriving in a Land Rover styled like a police vehicle, DJ Provai emphasized the group’s commitment to equality and artistic freedom.
In a significant gesture, Kneecap announced they would donate the grant money to two youth organizations in Belfast—one from a nationalist area and one from a unionist area. “They have tried to silence us and they have failed,” DJ Provai declared after the ruling.
The court’s decision represents a symbolic victory for the group and a broader statement about the protection of artistic freedom and expression within the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Department for Business and Trade released a statement following the case, asserting that the government’s priority is to protect taxpayers from unnecessary expenses.
It added that the decision not to contest Kneecap’s legal challenge was based on public interest considerations, signaling a reluctance to engage in a prolonged legal battle.
This resolution marks a rare moment of triumph for artists challenging political authority on grounds of discrimination.
Formed in 2017 in West Belfast, Kneecap consists of Mo Chara, Moglai Bap, and DJ Provai, who have gained both acclaim and controversy for their unapologetically provocative art.
Their work, including the song Brits Out, often pokes fun at British rule, while their bold political messages have angered Conservative Party figures.
Despite being banned from Ireland’s public broadcaster RTE for drug references in their lyrics, Kneecap has achieved remarkable success.
Their biopic film, Kneecap, starring Michael Fassbender, has drawn comparisons to Trainspotting and 8 Mile and has won accolades, including the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.
The group’s recent legal win adds another layer to their growing legacy. With their film named Ireland’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars, Kneecap continues to solidify their status as a voice for artistic rebellion and cultural identity.
This victory not only amplifies their influence but also reaffirms the importance of protecting freedom of expression, even in the face of political resistance.
