The band recently shared a statement through social media.
Photo Credit: Warren Du Preez
Massive Attack have released a fresh statement standing behind Irish rap group Kneecap, who have recently come under scrutiny from the UK government.
The Belfast-based trio, known for their punk-influenced style, have stirred criticism from UK officials due to a resurfaced video from 2023. In the clip, Kneecap reportedly encouraged the crowd to “Kill your local MP” and stated, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory.” High-profile figures such as Labour leader Keir Starmer, Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, and Labour MP David Taylor have all condemned the footage. Taylor even urged Glastonbury Festival to remove Kneecap from its 2025 lineup, warning that their inclusion could compromise the event’s longstanding commitment to peace, unity, and social responsibility. The video is now said to be under investigation by counter-terrorism authorities.
On April 28th, Kneecap issued a formal apology for their remarks. However, they also claimed the public outcry is part of a deliberate attempt to discredit them, particularly following their recent pro-Palestinian message displayed during a Coachella performance earlier this month.
After their first Coachella weekend appearance, Kneecap accused the festival of censoring their pro-Palestine message and a final chant of “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine” from the event’s livestream without their consent. Soon after, their American booking agency, Independent Artist Group, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that they had ended their working relationship with the group.
In a statement released today, Massive Attack urged the media to concentrate on Kneecap’s original intent — raising awareness for the Palestinian cause. They stressed that “language is important” and cautioned against careless speech, especially in light of the killings of MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess. Still, they criticized what they described as “calculated outrage” from politicians and conservative commentators, accusing them of using Kneecap’s stage remarks to distract from what Massive Attack called “a genocide occurring in plain sight.”
“Kneecap are not the headline. Gaza is the headline. Genocide is the headline,” the band stated. “The real issue is the silence, complicity, and endorsement of these atrocities by Britain’s elected leaders.”
You can read the complete statement from Massive Attack below.
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