The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command has launched an investigation into the Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap, following the emergence of videos from their concerts that allegedly contain inflammatory statements. The footage, believed to be from performances in London in November 2023 and November 2024, reportedly shows members of the group making remarks about Members of Parliament and expressing support for organizations designated as terrorist groups in the UK.

One of the videos from November 2023 appears to feature a member of Kneecap stating, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Another clip from a November 2024 concert allegedly shows the group shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah,' both of which are banned under UK terrorism laws. The Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit assessed the videos and found sufficient grounds for a deeper investigation into potential offenses.

Kneecap has responded to the allegations by issuing an apology to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox, stating they never intended to cause hurt or incite violence. The group has also denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, claiming the footage has been 'exploited and weaponised' against them. Their manager has suggested that the band is being unfairly targeted by a coordinated campaign.

The investigation underscores the ongoing challenges authorities face in monitoring and addressing potentially extremist content in the arts and entertainment sectors. As the inquiry continues, the case has sparked a broader debate about the boundaries of free expression and the responsibilities of performers in avoiding language that could be construed as incitement to violence.

US singer Chris Brown has been granted bail by a London court, allowing him to proceed with his upcoming world tour despite facing serious assault charges. The 36-year-old artist, known for hits like 'Loyal' and 'Under the Influence', was required to pay a £5 million security fee as part of his bail conditions. The charges stem from an alleged unprovoked attack on music producer Abraham Diaw in a London nightclub in 2023, where Brown is accused of using a tequila bottle to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Brown, who was not present at Southwark Crown Court for the bail hearing, has not yet entered a plea. Judge Tony Baumgartner set the bail conditions, which include surrendering his passport except for tour-related travel. The R&B star's Breezy Bowl XX tour is scheduled to begin on June 8 in the Netherlands, with stops across Europe, the United States, and Canada, including several UK cities.

The singer's release on bail comes after a brief detention in Manchester last week, marking his first return to the UK since the incident two years ago. Initially denied bail last Friday, Brown was granted conditional release on Wednesday, with the court requiring an immediate payment of £4 million and an additional £1 million within seven days. His next court appearance is set for June 20 at Southwark Crown Court.

Following his release, Brown took to Instagram to hint at his upcoming tour with a post captioned 'From the cage to the stage. Breezybowl.' The post underscores the singer's readiness to transition from his legal challenges back to the music scene, as he prepares to entertain fans worldwide amidst ongoing legal proceedings.