Young Spencer performs with Kneecap at West Belfast charity gig

In August, during the Féile an Phobail community arts festival in west Belfast, 32-year-old rapper Gareth Spence, known as Young Spencer, performed at a sell-out concert headlined by rap group Kneecap, The Irish Times reported. The appearance by the Protestant and proud performer from the Shankill estate drew a packed crowd to Falls Park for the Uppa Falls charity gig, where climate activist Greta Thunberg and fans draped in Tricolours wore Kneecap’s signature balaclavas.

Shankill Background Meets West Belfast Stage

As Gareth Spence navigates the damp, rainy streets of Belfast’s Shankill estate—a staunchly loyalist area where local residents wave from their doorsteps beneath a canopy of red, white, and blue bunting—passing motorists frequently slow down just to sound their car horns in greeting. It was “UDA country”, notes Spence, gesturing toward paramilitary murals on gable ends, including a blue wall daubed with “Welcome to Loyalist Lower Shankill, 2nd Batt C Com,” referencing the C Company unit of the Ulster Defence Association. More than 25 years ago, this particular unit—which has been associated with numerous sectarian murders—became embroiled in a violent internal loyalist feud.

“There’s a big distinction between coming from here and further up the Shankill Road … some people see you as coming from down in the gutter when you’re from this part,” Spence says. Raised by families who lived through the shadow of the Troubles, Spence notes that Kneecap and Young Spencer could not have supported each other 30 years ago because somebody was dying or getting killed. Speaking about his second time sharing a stage with the Irish language rappers in two years, Spence describes the experience: “As a proud British born and raised Protestant from the Shankill estate, I thought I’d died and gone to Fenian heaven for about two hours.”

Spence Faces Mixed Reactions to Kneecap Association

Spence acknowledges that his association with Kneecap divides opinion on his home road, with online critics accusing him of selling out and others claiming he is chasing headlines. “Of course, there’s the hatred. There’s people who just don’t understand what you’re doing,” Spence says, adding that the love and appreciation he receives largely outweigh the negativity. Kneecap member Mo Chara expressed respect for the Shankill rapper in an earlier interview with The Irish Times, calling him a unionist who is authentically himself and praising his tune P.R.O.D. Spence shares a similar sentiment: “I don’t agree with everything the lads say and they don’t agree with everything I say, but I respect the artistry.”

The interview took place before the resurrection of the Drumcree parades dispute in Portadown. Speaking on his phone while walking up the nationalist Cliftonville Road in north Belfast during the third day of the standoff between Garvaghy Road residents and the Orange Order, Spence admits rising tensions are separating people in his community again. Amid the standoff, a motorist pulled his car over to shake Spence’s hand, reinforcing his confidence in the future generation regardless of political outcomes.

Féile an Phobail Festival Takes Place at Falls Park

The Féile an Phobail festival event took place at Falls Park in west Belfast.