MY EXPERIENCE AS A KNEECAP FAN
An electrifying rap group who emerged from West Belfast in 2017 with the release of their first single ‘C.E.A.R.T.A’, I discovered KNEECAP when they released their single ‘Better Way To Live’ in 2023, featuring Fontaines DC frontman, Grian Chatten. KNEECAP are known for being unapologetically themselves and standing up for what they believe in, reigniting the Irish language and encouraging thousands to begin learning. I believe they played a huge part in encouraging Scotland to make Scots an official language, culminating in the Scottish Languages Act 2025, which made Scots an official language of Scotland along with Scots Gaelic, and introduced educational standards for the language.
Currently, the Palestinian genocide being conducted by the Israeli state is the biggest issue KNEECAP are condemning – a condemnation which is sparking controversy amongst politicians and the public. There is such a huge divide in the world right now, which is largely based on your stance on the Israel-Palestine war; however, it doesn’t take a genius to understand that what is happening to innocent Palestinians is an outrage, and we must make a change. KNEECAP has been that change. Young people everywhere have been discovering KNEECAP, going to their concerts, and listening to their speeches between songs, understanding and educating themselves. The reason KNEECAP is so hated and shut out by the British government is that they have a power, and that power is words. Growing up in West Belfast, it is fair to say that KNEECAP have experienced oppression and are still experiencing it. They are creating a unity with Palestinians and letting them know that they understand, and they wish someone had stood up for the Irish when it was needed. During many of their concerts, Mo Chara has given the same speech, which is that “the Irish, not so long ago were persecuted at the hands of the Brits, but we were never bombed from the f****** skies with nowhere to go. The Palestinians have nowhere to go… If you’re not calling it a genocide, what the f*** are you calling it?”
KNEECAP have had an impact on not just me but Glaswegians as a community. Much like Belfast, Glasgow still has a clear divide between Protestants and Catholics, which is largely represented through football culture. Scottish Football rivalries have remained zealous, being exacerbated by nationalist debate and global conflict in the wake of KNEECAP’s rising influence and controversy. As a Celtic fan, I educate myself on the terrible events which happened in the North of Ireland during Britain’s occupation of Ireland, I educate myself on the history of anti-Irish sentiment in Scotland, and I educate myself on the genocide currently being undertaken in Palestine. I always find myself relating to KNEECAP’s politics not only because they are like me, but also because they speak so loudly and proudly about it. KNEECAP are all about unity, further shown when they released their song ‘Parful’, about bringing Catholics and Protestants in the North of Ireland together in a club setting at night - a message which remains poignant in Glasgow considering its past, present, and future.
I look up to KNEECAP, and while some would say they are not good role models, I would disagree. They are going to be on the right side of history, and they are already going on to change the world. I hope that many Glaswegians would agree that the representation they have given Scotland, Scottish language, and the Scottish people has not gone unnoticed. I cannot wait for them to take over the world.