"Genocide is the story": Massive Attack backs Kneecap amid pro-Palestinian controversy

Massive Attack, the English trip-hop group, has shown support to the Belfast-based hip-hop trio, Kneecap. This comes after Kneecap faced backlash for political messages shared during their recent performance at Coachella 2025. Massive Attack criticized what they called was an unfair level of condemnation aimed at Kneecap.

In a post on Instagram dated April 30, Massive Attack said that the treatment Kneecap have received reflects a bigger problem. They pointed out that global attention is being drawn to artists, while little is being said about the situation in Gaza. In the post, the band stated that they have spoken out for over 30 years on the issue of Palestine, adding that the silence is dangerous.

At Coachella 2025, Kneecap voiced strong messages onstage, accusing Israel of genocide. Some claimed the messages were censored during their first weekend performance. Since then, Kneecap has lost their booking agent and been criticized by public figures like Sharon Osbourne. However, support for the trio has also come in, including from fellow musicians and labels.

Why did Massive Attack speak out now?

According to a report by Rolling Stone dated April 30, 2025, Massive Attack responded after Kneecap’s messages at Coachella generated public and political reactions. The hip-hop group displayed a message that said:

“Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”

According to Rolling Stone, Kneecap also called out the U.S. government for supporting Israel with arms and funding. This led to some calling for the group to be banned from performing in the U.S.

Massive Attack said that artists should not be punished for speaking about global issues. In their Instagram statement they said:

“If senior politicians can find neither the time, nor the words to condemn, say, the murder of fifteen voluntary aid workers in Gaza, or the illegal starvation of a civilian population as a method of warfare, or the killing of thousands & thousands of children in the same territory, by a state in possession of the highest precision weapons on earth; how much notice should a music festival take of their moral advice on booking performing acts?”

They made it clear that Kneecap is not the real issue. Instead, the issue is what is happening in Gaza, writing:

“Kneecap are not the story, Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story”.

What was the controversy around Kneecap?

As per a report published by Crack Magazine on April 30, 2025, the controversy started at Coachella in April this year. During their set, Kneecap showed messages against Israel’s actions in Gaza. They claimed those messages were censored during their first show but were shown during their second weekend appearance.

Soon after, the group was criticized by several public figures. Sharon Osbourne asked that Kneecap’s U.S. visas be taken away. The group also lost their booking agent, Independent Artist Group. More problems followed when old footage showed one of the members at a London concert saying: “Kill your local MP.” Kneecap later apologized for that comment. But the backlash continued, and many feel the group could be removed from upcoming performances including Glastonbury.

Are more artists supporting Kneecap?

More artists and industry figures have publicly supported Kneecap amid the controversy surrounding their pro-Palestinian statements and past performance footage.

Following Massive Attack's support, a statement was released by London-based independent label Heavenly Recordings, co-signed by artists including Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., Pulp, Sleaford Mods, Paul Weller, Thin Lizzy, The Pogues, and others. The statement criticized what they described as political censorship and an attack on artistic freedom.

As reported by The Scottish Sun on May 1, 2025, the statement emphasized:

"In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people."

The artists further stated:

"The question of agreeing with Kneecap’s political views is irrelevant: it is in the key interests of every artist that all creative expression be protected in a society that values culture, and that this interference campaign is condemned and ridiculed."

They also called on leaders in the music industry to defend freedom of expression:

"It is also the duty of key leadership figures in the music industry to actively defend artistic freedom of expression — rather than seek to silence views which oppose their own."

Massive Attack’s message is a reminder that attention should not just be on artists but also on the events they are speaking about.

Edited by Vinayak Chakravorty

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"Genocide is the story": Massive Attack backs Kneecap amid pro-Palestinian controversy

Why did Massive Attack speak out now?

What was the controversy around Kneecap?

Are more artists supporting Kneecap?

Help Us Improve