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Associated Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Hungary bans Irish rap group Kneecap from entering ahead of festival performance
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Members of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap were banned from entering Hungary ahead of their scheduled performance at the popular Sziget Festival as authorities argued the musicians' presence in the country would constitute a risk to national security. The Belfast trio, scheduled to play on Sziget's closing day on Aug. 11, is known for anarchic energy, satirical lyrics and use of symbolism associated with the Irish republican movement, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland, currently part of the U.K., with the Republic of Ireland. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references and for political statements seeming to glorify militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause throughout Israel's war in Gaza and say they don't support Hezbollah and Hamas nor condone violence. Hungary's immigration authority, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, published decrees on Thursday declaring Kneecap members Naoise Ó Cairealláin, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh and Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh would be banned from Hungary's territory for three years since their 'entry and stay constitute a serious threat to national security.' Government spokesman Zoltán Kovács wrote on social platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was due to 'antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah.' Hungarian authorities and other groups had earlier pushed Sziget Festival to cancel the band's performance. Hungary's minister for European affairs, János Bóka, noted the government's 'zero-tolerance' policy toward antisemitism in a July 11 letter to the festival's organizers. Hundreds of figures from Hungary's music and cultural community also have signed a petition calling for Kneecap's performance to be cancelled. The group performed in April at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, where they accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians enabled by the U.S. government. That sparked calls for the rappers' U.S. visas to be revoked and several Kneecap gigs have since been canceled as a result.
Times
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Police drop investigation into Kneecap's Glastonbury set
A criminal investigation into the Belfast rap trio Kneecap at the Glastonbury Festival has been dropped. Avon and Somerset police said the force will be taking 'no further action' on the grounds that there is 'insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence'. The investigation was announced in June after officers reviewed video and audio from the sets of Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan at the Somerset festival. On Friday, the group posted a screenshot on social media from an email that appeared to be from a senior investigating officer. Please enable cookies and other technologies to view this content. You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager. The group led chants of 'f*** Keir Starmer' at Glastonbury after the prime minister said it was 'not appropriate' for the group to play at the festival. One of Kneecap's members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence in May. Naoise Ó Cairealláin, known by the stage name Móglaí Bap, told the Glastonbury crowd they would 'start a riot outside the courts' before clarifying: 'No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.' The performance was not shown live on the BBC, but a lightly edited version of the set was made available to watch afterwards. Avon and Somerset police said it had sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service . 'After that advice, we have made the decision to take no further action on the grounds there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence,' the force said.
Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Telegraph
Neighbours of Britain's newest prison ‘plagued by constant swearing and rap music'
Residents living next to one of Britain's newest prisons claim their lives are being disrupted by loud rap music and swearing from inmates. HMP Fosse Way is one of Britain's newest prisons, built in 2023 at a cost of £286 million. The state-of-the-art facility in Leicestershire houses 1,700 lower-risk prisoners with greater freedoms to reintegrate into society as they approach the end of their sentences. But those living nearby have claimed the increased liberty has come at their expense. Warren Sim, a 56-year-old managing director who lives yards from the prison's perimeter fence, likened the noises coming from the complex to a 'jumbo jet' taking off. The father of four said: 'We live a couple of hundred metres away from the nearest wing, where our garden ends there's a trainline and the other side of that is the prison ground. 'The noise is absolutely ridiculous. Prisoners are shouting out of the window, effing and blinding at each other, and explicit rap music is so loud you hear it in our garden.' Jaclyn Tierney, 47, added that she has had to limit her two children playing in the garden due to the foul language coming from the prison. She said: 'The thing that grinds my gears is the music which is that loud it's like my neighbours are playing it. It's so obscene, it's the f-word, the n-word. 'I won't let my kids in the garden, I don't want them listening to that. I can't believe they're listening to that sort of music in there, given that they're in prison. Everybody is absolutely sick of it, they've just had enough.' Chris Hasler, 46, said he worried about the impact the prison would have on the value of his home. The father of one said: 'We were told when it was being built that the cells would face inwards. It's got closer, higher and from my son's bedroom window you can literally see the prisoners on the landing. 'In some of the houses you literally have prisoners looking into your home. It's not just the noise, nobody wants that, it's the privacy, too.' The prison, operated by Serco, stands on the former site of Glen Parva Young Offenders' Institution. It features five-a-side pitches, table tennis tables, gaming consoles in cells, and a studio for learning music and technical skills. A £100,000 simulator teaches prisoners to operate HGVs and forklift trucks. In February last year, a 35-year-old inmate was found dead in his cell. Meanwhile, over the course of 2022 and 2023, 58 inmates absconded. A spokesperson for Serco, which runs the prison, said: 'We have implemented a number of measures to reduce the noise of extractor fans and loud music, and we remain committed to working with the local community to find suitable resolutions where possible.' Blaby district council added: 'We have been working closely with prison operators Serco to advise them on ways they can manage noise issues to reduce any impact on local residents. 'If people are experiencing issues then please contact our environmental health department as both ourselves and Serco are keen to ensure any disturbance from the site is kept to a minimum.' It comes as the Government faces criticism from residents across the country set to be impacted by its programme to see four new prisons built over the next seven years to solve the overcrowding crisis. Last December, villagers in Ulnes Walton, Lancashire, protested plans for a third prison in their area, claiming it could leave them outnumbered by inmates. Angela Rayner decided to go ahead with the plans, despite concern from an independent planning inspector.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
YNW Melly murder retrial to start Sept. 10, ready or not
The retrial of Jamell 'YNW Melly' Demons will get underway with jury selection on Sept. 10 as scheduled, a Broward judge ruled Wednesday, dismissing the objections of prosecutors who say they are still waiting for an appeals court to rule on a slew of important issues. Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein showed little patience for the state's insistence that the matters being considered by the Fourth District Court of Appeal leave him with no choice but to delay the trial, which was first put on hold during jury selection in October 2023. Demons, 26, was the most prominent member of the YNW rap collective, with a string of hits including 'Suicidal' and 'Murder on My Mind.' He is accused of the October 2018 murders of fellow rappers and childhood friends Anthony 'YNW Sakchaser' Williams and Christopher 'YNW Juvy' Thomas. A co-defendant, Cortlen 'YNW Bortlen' Henry, is also awaiting trial. Investigators and prosecutors say the four rappers attended a late-night recording session in Fort Lauderdale and left together in a Jeep driven by Henry. A short time later, Henry pulled up to Memorial Hospital Miramar with Williams, 21, and Thomas, 19, shot to death in the front and rear passenger seats. Henry told police they were victims of a drive-by shooter. Investigators poring over phone records, witness testimony and video from the Fort Lauderdale recording studio determined that Demons, who had been sitting behind Henry, shot and killed his two former friends before they had a chance to fight back. Demons could face the death penalty if convicted. Henry was charged with murder as a principal and with being an accessory after the fact. Detectives said he helped Demons make it look like a drive-by, though medical experts said the fatal shots came from inside the Jeep, from the seat last known to be occupied by Demons (who was seen getting into the vehicle on surveillance video from outside the recording studio). Defense lawyers said Demons got out of the Jeep before the shooting and challenged the forensic medical testimony. Demons' first trial ended with a hung jury in July 2023. Since then, the original judge on his case ruled that prosecutors would not be able to re-use some of the technological evidence that they presented to help establish Demons' alleged motives, gang affiliation and consciousness of guilt. The appeals court has yet to rule on whether that restriction will stand, among other issues. According to appeals court records, the case is set for oral arguments on Sept. 16. At the same time, the defense has accused the Broward State Attorney's Office of prosecutorial misconduct and has repeatedly tried to get them thrown off the case. The state later charged Demons with witness tampering at his first trial. One of his lawyers, Raven Liberty, remains under investigation herself, though no charges have been filed against her. Criminal charges against Liberty would create a conflict of interest that would likely force her off the case. Prosecutor Justin Griffis told Fein Wednesday that the investigation into her conduct is ongoing. In court on Wednesday, Fein said the issues in front of the appeals court are not enough reason to delay the retrial. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will appeal Fein's decision. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@ or 954-356-4457.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jim Jones Says He Didn't Realize How Many People Loved Nas Until Viral Comparison: ‘I'm Watching People Go Absolutely Batsh– Crazy'
Jim Jones sat down with Angie Martinez for her IRL podcast recently and talked about the debate that's had a stranglehold on rap social media. The legendary journalist and radio host said that the day after she booked Jim for an episode, the Nas debate went viral and asked if he's been trolling people a bit with some of his quotes surrounding the situation. More from Billboard Boldy James Finally Explains Why Amanda Seales Claims He Owes Her Money Liam Gallagher Apologizes for Using Racial Slur, Says 'It Wasn't Intentional' Brent Faiyaz Announces New 'Icon' Album: See When It Arrives 'I mean you're definitely correct,' he said with a smile before explaining how the conversation started in the first place. 'But I didn't start it. There was a young gentleman that they asked a question to and his clip went viral. He was on a podcast and they asked him who's more relevant: Jim Jones or Nas? That went super viral and that led to all these people with platforms to ask that question.' Adding that he was only defending himself after being asked a question, he then brought up his earlier back-and-forth with fellow Diplomat Cam'ron earlier this year. 'Even from the beginning of the year when I did the Justin [Laboy] interview — I didn't start it,' Jones said. 'They asked me how I felt about what was said about me from another platform from some other people. I'm not a troublemaker, but I like trouble if that's the case. I'm built for it. My whole type of thing has been that engagement, and here we are.' Jones then talked about how easy it is to go viral with today's social media landscape and how something like that can benefit an artist in the digital age. 'I gave people a prerequisite,' he told Martinez. 'I know how to go viral, this is easy. We're in a community where everything goes viral… and turns into a revenue stream. I'm on everybody's Explore page, I'm at the top of this page, the top of that page. You like me, don't like me, know who I was… one click away from making me some money. I also have a record label, I have artists, I have music out. It makes it that much easier to know who Jim Jones is. I'm worried about myself when I make these moves. I know how to turn my negatives into a positive.' The kicker, though? He underestimated how many people have Nas at the top of their favorite rapper list. 'Man, I didn't know how many people loved Nas, though,' he said before making himself and Angie burst into laughter. 'I'm watching people go absolutely batsh– crazy, like goddamn. But that's hip-hop. There's people that I adored as a fan too that I'll probably go batsh– crazy for in the same situation, I love it, that's what the game was built on. Let's not make no mistake, I put in a lot of work and I did a lot of incredible things that a lot of people have not gotten to do in this industry.' A few weeks back, a clip of a young 22-year-old from New Jersey went viral because he said the Harlem rapper was more relevant to him than Nas. This opinion predictably got people up in arms and Jones' subsequent media run after continued to fan the flames. Jones defended himself on Fat Joe and Jadakiss' podcast and told the people to pull up the Billboard stats and he told the BagFuel podcast that he basically did Nas a favor by talking about him so much. 'What I did for Nas probably never been done for him in his life. He's never been that viral at all. Ever,' he said. 'Ever. He's never been talked about like this ever in his life.' You can watch the full episode below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
