Belfast-based rap collective Kneecap has emerged victorious in a discrimination case against the British government, following the revocation of their arts council funding. The Irish language artists had been granted a £14,250 (€17,120) award under the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) in February. However, this grant was subsequently withdrawn by then-UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch. A spokesperson for Badenoch stated that the government did not wish to fund individuals who oppose the United Kingdom. Kneecap contested Badenoch's decision in Northern Ireland's High Court, arguing that it was both unlawful and procedurally unfair. The court sided with the group on November 29, reinstating the MEGS grant.
"For us, this action was never about the £14,250; it could have been 50 pence. The driving force was equality. This was an assault on artistic culture, the Good Friday Agreement, and Kneecap's means of self-expression," the group stated. The funds will be distributed between two Belfast youth organizations, Glór Na Móna in Ballymurphy and RCity Belfast on the Shankill Road. Badenoch had initially allocated £1.6 million (€1.9 million) in February to support 67 artists across the UK, but her department intervened after Kneecap was approved by the selection board.
In a social media post, Kneecap declared: "The former Secretary of State Kemi Badenoch and her Department acted unlawfully, a fact now confirmed." They further asserted, "They dislike that we oppose British rule, that we don't believe England serves Ireland, and that working-class communities on both sides deserve better—funding, mental health services, and the freedom to celebrate music and art." Badenoch has since transitioned to leading the opposition Conservative Party following their electoral loss in July.
Comprising two MCs, Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara, along with DJ Provaí, Kneecap has been active since 2017. Known for blending Gaelic with English, their music combines balaclava-clad satire with socially conscious lyrics and provocative content. The group has been deemed controversial due to their outspoken lyrics, use of Troubles-related imagery, and bold merchandise. They see rap as a genre that voices opposition and challenges the establishment. Kneecap previously claimed that their 2019 'Farewell to the Union' tour poster had "irked the Tories," stating, "The British government is once again attempting to silence voices from west Belfast—once again, they will fail." This year, the band gained global recognition, particularly with the release of their second album 'Fine Art' and a semi-autobiographical film described as "an absolute blast, high-energy, and frequently hilarious."
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