Belfast rap trio Kneecap say they’re dedicating their first record deal to the legendary Donegal Irish-language broadcaster Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, who passed away earlier this week.
They paid tribute to him earlier this week, during their video announcement of their first record deal with London-based Heavenly Recordings.
Rónán had played an important role in the group’s rise to popularity, by giving the Irish-language hip-hop group their first chance to do a gig, in the Donegal Gaeltacht – and also by trying to play the group’s music RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta in the first place.
Their first hit single “C.E.A.R.T.A.” was taken off a Raidió na Gaeltachta playlist in 2017 for being too profane in RTÉ’s eyes – leading to the public broadcaster banning Kneecap’s songs from their airwaves, and massive media attention for the group in the process in the coming months and years, in part leading to their success and popularity today.
You can watch their announcement of their record deal, and tribute and toast to Rónán, below:
🖊️…. We are delighted to announce we have signed to @heavenlyrecs ahead of our debut full album release next year. 🤝
Big thanks to Jeff Barrett and all the team at Heavenly. 💚🤍🧡
Suaimhneas síoraí dár gcara mór Rónán Mac Aodh Bhuí xxxxx pic.twitter.com/AGzTqq5jO4
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) September 19, 2023
