Rap trio Kneecap spark controversy with British Museum sticker stunt

Rap trio Kneecap have placed stickers around the British Museum in London claiming some of the exhibits there are "stolen from Ireland".

The hip-hop group from west Belfast recorded what took place and posted it on social media.

A caption with the footage read: "Few bits we stuck around the British Museum today – place is huge and full of stolen treasures from other cultures and people.

READ MORE - Award-winning Kneecap film trailer drops ahead of Irish cinema release

READ MORE - Late Late Show: Irish-speaking rap group Kneecap take moment to highlight 'genocide' in Palestine

"Place would be empty only for the theft of everything they ‘discovered’..."

The stunt coincided with the release of their debut album Fine Art.

But it may have misfired with some on social media describing what took place as "childish" and a bid to gain cheap publicity. One X user stated: "Tiresome childish nonsense. A lot of that stuff would have been lost forever through theft and neglect but proper archaeologists preserved it."

But others said there were indeed many items that were "stolen" from other cultures.

One X user stated: "There’s no reason why Welsh, Irish and Scottish artefacts shouldn’t be returned to their home nations."

But perhaps the funniest reply came from another X account which suggested that Kneecap are also guilty of appropriating other rapper’s ideas, in this case from comedy rap outfit Goldie Lookin Chain.

He stated: "You stole Goldie Lookin Chains idea. Theft is rife."

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.