‘We need artists that speak up’: Rap duo Bob Vylan climb the charts after Glastonbury controversy

Punk group Bob Vylan has surged to the top of the UK charts despite pushback from governments, as fans and other musicians express support for their anti-genocide message

As the saying goes: all press is good press. Despite (or perhaps because of) Bob Vylan’s highly controversial Glastonbury performance, the rap duo surged to the top spot on the UK’s Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart with their 2024 record Humble As The Sun.

This comes after the punk group had their US visas revoked after frontman Bobby Vylan led the Glastonbury crowd through a “Death to the IDF” chant. Both Radar Festival in the UK and France’s Kave Fest also pulled the act from their line-up following the uproar.

The BBC has since stated that they regret broadcasting “deeply regret” broadcasting “such offensive and deplorable behaviour”. However, the sentiment hasn’t been shared by everyone. Multiple prominent artists, including Massive Attack and Amyl & The Sniffers, have spoken out in support of the rap group.

READ MORE: BRIAN READE: ‘Hypocrisy over Glastonbury IDF death chant is ludicrous’

Upon news of their chart success, Bob Vylan took to X: “Ban Bob Vylan? The people said ‘Nah’. We need artists that speak up. Our album ‘Humble As The Sun’ is back in the charts and, as an independent band releasing music on our own label, it shows the power of the people. You can’t get dropped if you own the label. Thank you all!”

Their comment section was filled with support from fans. One said: “The people resonate with what’s real, you will gain more from representing the majority interest than you ever will being a sell out…”

“Thank you! Can’t believe we need to explain this to people, but the vast majority of people living on this planet are indeed anti-genocide,” a second added. “I’m buying some of your music just off general principle!” another wrote.

Another commenter also suggested that the pushback against the group had the opposite of its intended effect. They said: “You didn’t get silenced. You got more famous. Up until 2 weeks ago I had no clue who you were now I have your album.”

Kneecap, who have received similar criticism over their vocal support for Palestine, have also seen chart success, with their debut album Fine Art reaching number five.

The BBC refused to livestream the Belfast rap trio during their Glastonbury set and instead played an edited version of the clip on their iPlayer. This came after Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (stage name Mo Chara) was charged with terrorism over allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig last year.

However, as with Bob Vylan, many other artists were vocal in their support for the group and their message. Posted to Instagram stories, the Australian group Amyl & The Sniffers wrote: “The British media in a frenzy about Bob Vylan and Kneecap but artists all weekend at Glastonbury from pop to rock to rap to punk to DJs spoke up onstage and there were toned of flags on every streamed set.”

They added: “Trying to make it look like just a couple of isolated incidents and a couple of ‘bad bands’ so it appears the public isn’t as anti-genocide as it is, and trying to make it look like Bob and Kneecap are one-offs, instead of that the status quo has shifted majorly and that people are concerned and desperate for our governments to listen.”

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