Irish hip hop trio Kneecap under investigation by British counterterrorism police over videos

The Belfast hip hop group Kneecap have won legions of fans for their Irish-language rapping and controversial songs that deride the police, the British government and just about every other authority figure.

But now the three musicians who make up the band – Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – are being investigated by counterterrorism police in Britain over remarks they allegedly made in a pair of videos about killing politicians and supporting Hamas and Hezbollah.

The videos, which date back to 2023 and 2024, emerged this week. They have caused an uproar in Parliament and tested the limits of artistic freedom.

In one clip from 2023, a band member can allegedly be heard saying to the crowd: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Footage from the second video, shot in 2024, allegedly shows one of the trio shouting …