Irish Rap Group Kneecap Unleashes Fierce Criticism of Prime Minister in New Release
Controversial Irish rap trio Kneecap has launched a blistering assault on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer through their latest single, directly targeting his position on Israel's military actions in Gaza. The track, titled Liars Tale, represents one of the most explicit musical condemnations of the Labour leader's foreign policy stance to date.
Explicit Lyrics Target Starmer and Netanyahu
Among the provocative lyrics featured in the new release are lines accusing Sir Keir of complicity, with phrases including "you're not getting away with doing nothing" and more explicit condemnations referencing both the Prime Minister and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. The group performs primarily in Irish, using their platform to deliver political messages alongside linguistic preservation.
Kneecap members Liam Og O hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh have specifically accused Starmer of being "nothing but a Tory" and pandering to American interests in their assessment of his Middle East policy. The single premiered on Jack Saunders' BBC Radio 1 show immediately before its dystopian-themed music video debuted on YouTube.
Album Announcement and Political Context
Announcing their forthcoming second studio album Fenian - scheduled for release on April 24 - the group stated that criticism from the Prime Minister provided "all the motivation we needed". They dedicated the record to "everyone speaking truth to power", framing their musical output as resistance against political silencing attempts.
The music video features striking imagery including the three musicians positioned in guillotines and a zombie resembling former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. A voiceover narrative suggests Starmer contacted previous leaders for foreign policy advice, adding to the track's critical commentary on contemporary political leadership.
Controversial History and Legal Challenges
Kneecap's political engagement has previously drawn significant attention and legal scrutiny. In 2025, frontman Mo Chara faced terrorism charges - later dropped in September - related to allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert. The Crown Prosecution Service is currently appealing this decision, with prosecutors alleging the rapper voiced support for both Hamas and Hezbollah during the performance.
The group's Glastonbury Festival appearance last year also prompted a police investigation after they chanted explicit criticism of Starmer, though this was eventually discontinued. Their provocative approach extends to merchandise and concert rhetoric that has drawn criticism from multiple quarters.
Cultural and Linguistic Dimensions
In their album announcement on Instagram, Kneecap connected their musical project to broader cultural resistance, stating: "After 800 years of colonisation, they thought the Irish language would die, it didn't." They positioned themselves within a tradition of Gaelic language preservation while embracing the historically derogatory term "Fenian" as a badge of honor for truth-tellers.
The group has collaborated with notable artists including Fontaines DC's Grian Chatten and starred in their own Bafta-winning film in 2024. Between albums, they've released singles targeting other political figures including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, maintaining their reputation for politically charged content.
Despite controversy surrounding past statements about political violence, Kneecap has apologized to families of murdered MPs and clarified they "have never supported" Hamas or Hezbollah. Their new single represents their latest intervention in political discourse through musical expression, blending Irish language advocacy with pro-Palestine activism and sharp criticism of the current government.
