Kneecap frontman Mo Chara has said the hip-hop trio\u2019s new record is a “more mature album” which looks back on a “crazy year”.<\/p>\n
The Irish rap trio is made up of Mo Chara, real name Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh, Naoise \u00d3 Caireallain and JJ \u00d3’Dochartaigh, and are known for their politically driven music and social commentary.<\/p>\n
Speaking to host Zane Lowe on his Apple Music show, Mo Chara discussed their upcoming record, titled Fenian, which is due for release on 24 April.<\/p>\n
\u00d3 hAnnaidh said: “I think it\u2019s a more mature album with a bit more to say.<\/p>\n
“Obviously, it has been a crazy year, so we had no lack of topics. We\u2019re all very, very proud of it.<\/p>\n
“I think it\u2019s the perfect mix of complex music with also a lot of simplicity to it.”<\/p>\n
The group hit the headlines in 2025 when \u00d3 hAnnaidh, 28, was charged with a terror offence.<\/p>\n
The charge, which was eventually dropped in September last year, alleged that \u00d3 hAnnaidh had displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, which is proscribed as a terror organisation by the British Government, at a gig at the O2 Forum in London in 2024.<\/p>\n
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service is currently appealing against the decision to drop \u00d3 hAnnaidh\u2019s case, which also saw prosecutors allege that the rapper could be heard saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” in video footage of the concert.<\/p>\n
Kneecap also caused a stir following the release of their latest single, Liars Tale, which was released in January.<\/p>\n
In the song, the group hit out at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, focusing on his stance in relation to Israel\u2019s military offensive in Gaza.<\/p>\n
\u00d3 hAnnaidh went on to say that making music is one of the band\u2019s “favourite places to be”, adding: “Life is so hectic, we\u2019re constantly on the road, constantly going and doing gigs.<\/p>\n
“Being able to kind of put a few weeks aside to go through all your folders of all your f****** events that you had, all those experiences you\u2019ve had over a year\u2026 You\u2019re able to kind of finally comprehend them, break them down and have a creative outlet with it.”<\/p>\n
He went on to call making music “getting away from all the madness”, and speaking about the process of the group creating their latest record, he said: “It was great for us. It was very therapeutic.”<\/p>\n
Source: Press Association<\/p>\n