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Kneecap Evoke ‘Revolutionary Times’ on Rousing Single ‘Smugglers & Scholars’

The Belfast rap group will release a new album, Fenian, on April 24

Kneecap Evoke ‘Revolutionary Times’ on Rousing Single ‘Smugglers & Scholars’
Tom Beard*
Emily Zemler
By Emily ZemlerFeb 25, 2026
Emily Zemler
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Kneecap dropped a new single, “Smugglers & Scholars,” which reflects on the past state of revolution in Ireland. The hard-hitting track comes off the Belfast trio’s forthcoming LP, Fenian, out April 24 via Heavenly Recordings.

“Smugglers and scholars/ Getting guns with American dollars,” the group raps. “Did it before do it again no bother/ Don’t need your help with internal matters.”

Kneecap explained in a statement that the song is “a track that’s reminiscing on revolutionary times in Ireland, driven by a hopefulness, when the working class, academics and good people everywhere united and took action in search of a better future.”

Fenian marks the group’s first album since a series of polarizing political statements threatened to derail their career. “They tried to stop us by branding Kneecap ‘terrorists’, with cancellations, with statements from the Prime Minister himself,” the group said in a statement. “We had all the motivation we needed… this isn’t a swift reaction, but a considered response to those that tried to silence us. And failed.”

The musicians previously shared “Liar’s Tale” alongside a politically-themed music video. The single took aim at British prime minister Keir Starmer, who condemned Kneecap after they displayed the messages “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people” and “Fuck Israel / Free Palestine” at Coachella 2025.

“You think we’d move on and forget what happened,” the group sings on the track. “Nah fuck Keir Starmer, Netanyahu’s bitch and genocide armer, better off as compost for farmers.”

Kneecap will tour Europe and the U.K. in support of Fenian this summer. The group is set for several festivals, including Primavera in Barcelona and Porto, Roskilde Festival in Denmark, and Reading & Leeds Festivals in England.

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