A new ‘emoji’ designed to look like a balaclava and featuring the colours of the Irish tricolour flag has been introduced on the X social media platform for posts related to Belfast rappers Kneecap.
The image is based on the Irish language hip-hop trio’s logo, and automatically appears when users of the platform formally known as Twitter type ‘#kneecap’ in a post.
It is appearing on the site ahead of the release of the movie based on the group’s rise to fame, which hits cinema screens next week.
The group’s logo is inspired by balaclavas worn by paramilitaries, while member and producer DJ Próvaí famously is rarely seen in public without his own trademark green, white and orange balaclava.
Kneecap’s official X account welcomed the feature in a post stating: “Look at that - our very own emoji.”
The new movie - in which the group’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí star as themselves in a semi-fictionalised story - is due to open in Irish and UK cinemas on August 8.
Directed by Rich Peppiatt and also starring Michael Fassbender, it hits cinema screens across the US this Friday, and producer Trevor Birney this week shared an image on his X account of a poster for the Belfast-shot film, directed by Richard Peppiatt, in New York City.
“They’re everywhere these days! Films opens in 1500 theatres in US this Friday,” Mr Birney wrote.
In January, the film won an Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA, where it had its world premiere.
