{"id":570323,"date":"2026-05-07T02:47:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T02:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/570323\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T02:47:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T02:47:24","slug":"posters-for-kneecaps-fenian-had-to-be-censored-after-tfl-refused-to-allow-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/570323\/","title":{"rendered":"Posters for Kneecap’s ‘Fenian’ had to be censored after TfL refused to allow them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kneecap\u2019s<\/a> manager has said that posters for their new album \u2018Fenian<\/a>\u2019 had to be censored as TfL would not allow them.<\/p>\n

The record dropped on May 1 and is the second from the Irish hip-hop trio \u2013 following on from their 2024 debut \u2018Fine Art\u2019<\/a>. It features collaborations from Kae Tempest<\/a>, Radie Peat and Fawzi, and singles included the powerful \u2018Irish Goodbye<\/a>\u2019, as well as the title track<\/a>, the electric \u2018Smugglers & Scholars\u2019<\/a> and \u2018Liars Tale\u2019 which hit out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, the band\u2019s manager Daniel Lambert has claimed that they had to censor the posters designed to promote the album, as they were rejected by Transport For London.<\/p>\n

The original poster featured the album artwork, the title written in a bold red font, and a handful of four and five-star reviews from various outlets. Among the reviews was also a quote from the PM, which branded the trio as \u201ccompletely intolerable\u201d.<\/a><\/p>\n

This design, Lambert revealed on X\/Twitter, was not permitted by TfL \u2013 meaning that they had to submit amended versions of the same poster that censored both the word \u2018Fenian\u2019 and the PM\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

\"KneecapKneecap \u2013 \u2018Fenian\u2019. Credit: Press<\/p>\n

TfL shared a statement with Belfast Telegraph<\/a>, claiming that they had only ever received the censored version, and did not ask the band\u2019s management to make any adjustments in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe redacted style of the poster reflects the version that was submitted to us for approval. We did not request any changes to the artwork before the current advertising campaign commenced,\u201d a spokesperson told the outlet.<\/p>\n

Lambert hit back at those comments and outlined that the band were rejected when they put forward the non-censored design.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe company we book London tube ads with confirmed our original artwork was NOT accepted by TFL and \u2018FENIAN\u2019 had to be removed,\u201d he wrote. \u201cWe then provided a redacted poster \u2013 took a week for approval and deadlines missed\u2026 Delay was then TFL making the decision to even approve redacted one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The manager also shared another update, writing: \u201cThe facts here are pretty clear. I said they \u2018only accepted with them blanked out\u2019. Which is true and accurate\u201d.<\/p>\n

With the latter, he attached two images: a photo of the redacted poster on display, and a screenshot of an email with the subject \u201cKNEECAP Tube Ads\u2019 with a response that read: \u201cI can confirm TFL will not allow the word FENIAN to be displayed unfortunately. All ads have to be completely impartial and non-political of any movement.\u201d<\/p>\n

The company we book London tube ads with confirmed our original artwork was NOT accepted by TFL & ‘FENIAN’ had to be removed. <\/p>\n

We then provided a redacted poster \u2013 took a week for approval & deadlines missed.<\/p>\n

Delay was then TFL making the decision to even approve redacted one. https:\/\/t.co\/Xi3vQk1KFO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniel Lambert (@dlLambo) May 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The facts here are pretty clear. <\/p>\n

I said they “only accepted with them blanked out”.<\/p>\n

Which is true and accurate. pic.twitter.com\/Xsuh3Gdd9g<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniel Lambert (@dlLambo) May 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The word \u201cFenian\u201d refers to the 19th-century Irish revolutionaries who were committed to overthrowing British rule and achieving an independent Irish republic. While the term has been used as a slur and has had negative connotations attached to it, the album whole sees Kneecap reclaim the word and embrace feelings of brotherhood and community.<\/p>\n

They also spoke to NME about the title in a recent In Conversation interview<\/a>, saying: \u201cIt originally came from Irish folklore. It was a band of warriors in old Irish stories that date back 1,500 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen it was repurposed for several rebellions during the 18th and 19th Century, then in modern times it was used as a derogatory slur for Irish nationalists,\u201d M\u00f3gla\u00ed Bap continued. \u201cWhen you call someone a \u2018fenian\u2019, you\u2019re suggesting that they\u2019re backwards or uncivilised. In the North or when Irish people came to London, they\u2019d say \u2018You Fenian c**t.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

They added that they were reclaiming \u2018Fenian\u2019 as a synonym for \u201cthe warrior\u201d, and trying to show once again that the most feared weapon in their arsenal is \u201cthe power of language\u201d.<\/p>\n

NME reached out to a spokesperson for TfL for a response on why the term \u201cfenian\u201d was refused. In response, a spokesperson said: \u201cThe redacted style of the poster reflects the version that was submitted to us for approval. We did not request any changes to the artwork before the current advertising campaign commenced.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no blanket ban of the term \u2018Fenian\u2019 being used in advertising campaigns on our estate,\u201d they added. \u201cIf it featured in an advertising campaign submitted to us, as with any copy, we would review it on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration its specific context and any guidance from the Committee of Advertising Practice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Kneecap\u2019s \u2018Fenian\u2019 was given a four-and-a-half-star review from NME, which read<\/a>: \u201cPut all the rage-bait headlines aside and what you\u2019re left with is a solid, progressive and fearless album from a group that could just as easily be dicking around instead of making music that matters. In that sense at least, their day has come.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trio are also in the running to top the UK Album Charts<\/a> this week, but facing tough competition from Melanie C<\/a> and Michael Jackson<\/a>.<\/p>\n