Irish rap group gets payback after government's funding block backfires
Belfast-based rap group wins court battle over rejected arts funding from British government. Group turns £14‚250 victory into charitable donation while their film gets Oscar buzz
Last friday Belfastʼs irish-language rap group won a big-time legal fight — the kind that makes you think twice about govt decisions. The British dept for Business and Trade backed down saying its not worth fighting anymore
The story starts about a year ago when then-minister Kemi Badenoch blocked £14‚250 in funding (which helps UK artists grow world-wide); she didnt want tax money going to artists who dont support Britain. The court fixed that giving the same amount back but the group decided to share it with local youth groups
DJ Próvaí (real name JJ Ó Dochartaigh) made quite an entrance at court in an old-school police car with irish and palestinian flags. He talked about how this was more than just money: its about art freedom and the peace agreement. The group has been known for their bold moves — like that time few years back when they put Boris Johnson on a rocket poster
- Their new album “Fine Art“ hit #2 in Ireland
- Their story-movie with Michael Fassbender won at Sundance
- The film might even get an Oscar nomination
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
The group keeps pushing irish identity topics and northern-ireland unity ideas in their music; seems like the govtʼs attempt to quiet them down just made them louder
