Tag: rap

directed by Rich Peppiatt

First things first – me and rap are not a friendly combination. I grew up listening to pop, then rock and metal, then I had a phase with jazz and classical music, and now I generally listen to everything… except rap. I’m sorry to disappoint rap fans reading this, but I really cannot force myself to this genre. However, it doesn’t stop me from appreciating their work… from the distance. So when I heard about today’s film, I wasn’t so eager to see it, because I was worried that my music taste would make me dislike the film no matter how good it would be. But recently, I decided to finally give it a try and get out of my comfort zone. And you know what? I’m glad I did, because I still don’t listen to rap, but I really liked the story behind this band. If you don’t know (I didn’t, so don’t feel ashamed), Kneecap is an actual band and this film presents their beginnings. In fact, the real band members play themselves, which makes the experience even more realistic. However, it’s not a documentary, so mind the fact that you still watch it like a fictional drama/comedy. But what’s so interesting about a rap band, you may ask? Well, Liam and Naoise are young and rebellious men who sometimes get in trouble. Youth, you know. One of the things they are fighting for is their right to use Irish as their first language. One day, in quite unusual circumstances (you’ll see), they meet JJ, a music teacher, who finds out that Liam has been writing song lyrics in Irish. The man suggests starting a hip-hop band that would be rapping in Irish, which was something strange, especially to younger generations who’re used to listening to music in English. A silly idea turns out to be an absolute hit, the band starts attracting more and more listeners, but it also ends up in the spotlight of numerous authorities for their political messages in songs. The band has been performing since 2017 and so far they aren’t going to stop. And even though I’m not a hip-hop or rap fan, I cheer for them. Why? Because despite different music tastes, we share one thing and it’s love to our own culture and language. I believe that thanks to them, a lot of young people in Ireland have decided to study and practise Irish, and this leads to the continuation of their traditions. Plus, when it comes to the film, I sympathised with the band and enjoyed their way of being, so in the end it was a pleasant experience. So no matter what you listen to, give this title a try. Síocháin!

My rating: 7/10
S.