I’m proud that the work causes chaos in the hearts of racists. I’m proud that the work encourages the vulnerable. I’m proud that fascism is uncomfortable with me.
But I’m also here to point out that this hateful energy is like that of a lynch mob. For the record.
I won a Music Moves Europe Award for Ireland tonight!!!
Proud to report I’m in bits 😊
I’m always shocked when anyone knows me at home, let alone out of Ireland, so this is crazy💚 I won a European award. Wow. I dunno who exactly to thank, but thank you. So much. xxx
Oh my goodness Limerick. WOW!
The first picture was from over six years ago. We recreated it 10 minutes ago. I had such a different life in that picture I never imagined I could ever be the person I am today. Thomond Park, 5/05/22. Thank you. 💚
Hey! Thank you for wanting to defend me, but it’s fine that RTE aren’t tagging this account in their posts.
I’ve asked them not to. I need space from racism while celebrating my music once in a while. And I’m enjoying figuring out these boundaries. Love you family!
D xx
I performed today: a short thread.
My hands are still shaking. I remember most people’s faces in the crowd. I ended up crying after my set. I didn’t mean to. Someone asked “how are you feeling.” Wasn’t ready.
This means a lot to me. As a Limerick Citizen and as a Zambian.
Fun fact: in 1963 Zambia’s first president as a free nation, Kenneth Kaunda, came here and was awarded the Freedom of the City. In 1963 fam.
My historical roots here are valuable to me. This is a moment.
CHAILA just got nominated by
@choiceprize
for Irish Song of the Year. I have no words. The most difficult year of my life also being so desperately beautiful is mind blowing. If you hold my music close, thank you. Truly.
Sending love to every nominee, CONGRATULATIONS 💕
If you bash travellers or exclude/ostracise them from BLM protests this is not your safe space. We love and protect our Mincéir friends.
You can’t be anti-racist and still have exceptions. Let our integrity be complete.
Wrote a song in 2019. Someone got in my head negatively and I was writing “Holy Grail” and I randomly said “I’ll see you from the stage at Glastonbury.”
On Friday I played glasto on the
@bbcintroducing
stage
Someone really called the BBC loool
Anseo.
Playing Thomond Park for the first time *tomorrow* 😭 this life this life this life. This life.
On stage at 6pm if you wanna see me! And if you’re in the mood for a dress code? Def wear something green 💚🥰🌻
I did a song. With Ed Sheeran.
🔥 I live in a world where that’s a thing I can say 😭✨hahaha what a mad secret that was to keep
2step remix, Wednesday 25th of May 🦋 I’ll share a presave link when I can get organised (now is only for happiness) (thank you
@EdSheeranHQ4
)
I’ve been staring at this for hours cause look. Look at that. That’s real.
Had a moment where a friend said they remember the exact moment I took music seriously, and how scared I was. Still am. And then, out of the blue? I’m looking at this. That’s me
Caring about mental health in Ireland also means caring about racial justice.
Caring about feminism in Ireland means caring about racial justice.
Caring about any movement means you care about it ALL.
You don’t get to pick and choose. It’s connected.
!!! So! I’m gonna be chatting to Ryan on Friday! Lads.
Before I go there though, I just want to extend my GRATITUDE for all the love, protection and support I receive from you guys. Means a lot. Idk if I’ve ever just said it; so thank you.
And bring on Friday xxx
#LateLate
All 2018 I was at the lowest point of my life. Convinced I was a failure, dreading waking up in the morning, depression meals and imposters syndrome. Etc. In a few days it’ll be my birthday and I’m so grateful I’m here to see who I am now.
Someone extremely close to me has cancer, and for the last few months I’ve been living like a ghost trying to understand how to live with it.
Today I learned that they’re likely going to beat it. I feel like I can breathe again oh God
I was in
@guardian
last weekend and it has taken me daaaays to process that fact 🌻 thank you for these words
@tara_dwmd
💛
This year will be breathtaking.
One to Watch: Denise Chaila
Noticing that the Venn diagram of anti-maskers, misogynists, white supremacists, homophobes, and rape threats in my comments is actually a circle.
The more you know
A gig.
I can’t lie I didn’t think something like this would happen so soon. I’m planning on leaving 15 months of frustration, grief and longing on that stage.
Tickets on sale Friday at 9am.
testing ✅
social distancing ✅
pints ✅
me, sobbing ✅
Can’t wait to see you x
About to kick things off here at
@RTELateLateShow
✨ I cannot wait I am also nervous pls get me on stage now 🙌🏾😭
Straight after I’m sitting down with Peter Curtin (!!) and B+ (!!!!) over at
@thisisINY
to nerd about music from New York and I’m HYPE! Oh what a night ✨🎶
I met
@SharonShannon99
at the Cliffs of Moher this summer, and decided to love my pirate-y fairy trad mother forever✨If you wanna see me adore her on tv, tune into
#irelandinmusic
at 8pm December 29th on
@RTEOne
.
So many beautiful surprises in there too, watch closely 😉
I’m in
@NME
!! 🤯🌹✨ I haven’t even read it all because I keep stopping to dance.
I’m living in a dream.
Denise Chaila: “What’s special about the Irish hip-hop scene is that we own who we are” via
@NME
| Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News
We’re actually up in disbelief about how they’re absolutely trying to make us quit. It’s like they want to overwhelm us with sheer numbers. But lmaooo.
I’m just gonna block you and write another hit. See you on your telly again soon 😊
#Anseo
Notice any time the lads do anything on RTE, initial comments are always lovely and supportive. Then some far right arseholes decide to flood the comments with hate. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to constantly deal with the onslaught.
@narolanerecords
heroes the lot of ye.
Baby’s first headline gig! 🦋Friday 25th of February.
@3olympiatheatre
.
✨tickets on sale this Friday at 10am on
@Ticketmaster
.
(it’s so nice to say this wow)
Things you can call me that are not ‘queen’ and will genuinely make me feel good:
King, fairy prince, the girl who lived, mysterious traveler, ‘my friend’, comrade, your honour, bro, kingcess
Or just Denise, I like that very much.
Life update: JUMPING on the bed. The way my heart is bursting out of my chest rn is wild. Go Bravely was nominated for the
@choiceprize
and I for one am incoherent about it. Congratulations to EVERYONE ✨✨✨ what a moment oh my goodness.
@narolanerecords
hold me pls 😭🙌🏾
Merry Christmas to everyone who dreaded Christmas this year for any reason. Deep love to everyone who’s grieving or disillusioned or sick or alone. Very valid, your feelings are not an inconvenience.
I see you. Survive the day, rest, know that you’re loved. x
Since 2022 I’ve low-key been unsure if I really want this career. Trying to wrestle my life and music back from the idea of the internet’s toxicity has been hell. But yo. Today. TODAY.
I am so happy and full and free I just have to SHARE
#deplatformversatile
Because black women in this industry do not feel SAFE. This is not about hurt feelings. This is about men weaponising power and platforms to lash out when they feel challenged. That could’ve escalated to violence. Enough.
Releasing a single with my extended family on St Patrick’s Day 💚 it’s not fair I can’t go cook with you to celebrate this
@ClannadMusic
, but soon soon soon x
This Saint Patrick's Day, we'll be releasing a LIVE version of 'In A Lifetime' with
@DeniseChaila
featured on vocals. Join us on the 17th March for the music video premiere: ☘️🇮🇪
#StPatricksDay
I have a full suit of armour a bunch of swords, capes and tankards and now a CASTLE has been lent to me.✨🧙🏾♀️✨
So hello, you are cordially invited to come watch me PLAY and lose my MIND. It seems I am going into battle and 🧚🏾♂️potion seller🧜🏾♀️, I will need your strongest potions.
I have never performed like that. Ever.
Thank you for coming, singing, bringing your babies, being sweet to each other, and giving me a sword. First time I was ever at
@3olympiatheatre
, Stormzy was playing.
Today we sold out a show there. Under my name. Wow.
“What’s Irish Rap?”
Well, if you really wanna know, me and some DONS (led by
@GodKnowsRF
in all his power) are holding court at 9:35 on The Tommy Tiernan show tonight on
@RTEOne
. It’s... gonna be a bit mad. Lol
@Tommedian
#tommytiernanshow
Absolutely. It’s a huge moment. And thank you to
@GodKnowsRF
. Fun fact: that moment was supposed to be all about himself. It was his time to show out.
But he saw an opportunity, and made it about the scene instead. Incredible.
This is an important moment for Irish rap. And to see Dublin and Limerick on equal footing on RTÉ is a direct result of the love and support that has always existed in the Irish hop hop scene. And don’t mind the begrudgers, they’re terrified of change
The last 24 hours have been unreal. Thank you, I see you, wow💕
Have my next single with
@narolanerecords
to celebrate. Thank you to the inimitable legend
@Mochilla
for the art (B+ did our cover... 🤯) and
@BOKUofficial
for this mix 💕
More soon xx
Just here to say I’d probs die for the ‘average limerick person’ lmao.
I’ll never stop screaming about why I love this city. My community is everything to me.
Earlier last month I did an interview with President Higgins about his book. Amazing guy, goes as hard as Bernie Sanders, made me feel like this is my home even more. I hope I did him justice 💚🤍
"You Cannot be a Tourist of The Revolution" via
@hotpress
Hey there. So, the
@MMEawards
are happening tomorrow, and I’m representing Ireland (wow).
If you wanna check it out, go to
@esns
, Thurs Jan 20th, 22:10 to 22:25! Channel ESNS 01
I’m wrecked, excited, nervous, hoping I make some friends before I leave— all that. Wish me luck 💚
So hypothetically if I did like… a whole immersive THING for this castle gig… would you be down??! Like if I said “pls come expecting to drink Meade and wear a cape” would you??
Asking for a friend
I care about your mental health. Don’t burn out trying to convince people who don’t want to listen to be decent human beings.
Block, send messages of love, report relevant info to the guards or twitter and remember that they don’t deserve your time. You’re a badman 🔥
Anyway. Thank you. To everyone who came. Thank you to everyone who was visibly gay/queer— pride month is over but your joy is still so important. Thank you to everyone who beat depression or anxiety to be in a crowd
The gall of calling yourself Irish and not knowing the history of this land. The absolute senseless idiocy of trying to convince people that they will find freedom by recycling oppression.
These vile papers are being put through letterboxes in Longford and other counties. There is no 'blackening' of Ireland and this misinformation is not only hurtful, but harmful. Tossers.
It just hit me that Anseo is dropping in a few hours.
I have horrible cramps and no hot water bottle (😭) and I don’t even care cuz, this is wild. Myyyyyy goodness
T-minus 10 days til my gig at
@KingJohnsCastle
with and I just took a walk in Cratloe with hobbit music playing on BLAST to get ready.
✨Almost your last chance to get tickets ✨ and elf ears. And a blanket cape. And a twig sword. I’ve taken health and safety classes now 🥰
Ok!! Limerick, 20th of august. Wrap a blanket around your shoulders, call it a cloak and come down. I’ll take care of the rest
Me and the lads are going ALL in, cause it’s the castle like
DM’d a city. Literally asked if we could turn a gig into an RPG and you were all like “say less”. Limerick that was wild. And we made something pretty special together.
The king is dead. Long live the people.
📷:
@paulmcphoto
I can and WILL keep going but I need to get offline for a while. Basically black people make up like 2% of our island and JUST in music there is so much movement and life and EXCELLENCE. Haven’t even started going in.
Black art matters. Black joy matters. Black peace matters.
“Go Bravely” is nominated for a
@choiceprize
and I’m staring into a cup of tea finally feeling excited and nervous and sad I don’t get to be with everyone today. Good luck you guys ✨🌱
@TracyClifford
will be announcing everything from her show on
@RTE2fm
from 1pm ❤️
The ‘e’ in Duel Citizenship is deliberate. It’s essential. As long as there are people who feel you must deny your complexity, it will always be essential.
You have the right to fight to be whole.
Duel Citizenship.
— Thank you
@TallerStories
&
@thatDancetweet
💚
@RTELateLateShow
🌟 Adam’s kind heart and adventurous spirit inspires us.
There’s space for everybody at NASA, and we can’t wait for him to one day join our team of dreamers. We’ll be here when he’s ready. 🌟
Anyway, send
@ItsEricaCody
cute plants, stream rappers who don’t have to rely on racist misogyny and shock tactics to mask their criminally underwhelming bars and
#deplatformversatile
Amen.
I wrote an article about Dr Kenneth Kaunda and it’s out now! This is my first piece of writing in print and I’m thankful to
@byjimcarroll
and
@cheebah
for giving me a chance to expand on ideas I’ve only barely grazed thus far. Big big feelings.
Revenge porn is never the victim’s fault.
I do not play that weird “if you take nudes you deserve blah blah blah” no. It is a WILD violation of consent.
And what do you call it when you violate someone’s sexual consent?
Exactly.
Please sign this.
*Yzma voice: My first headline London show, my own show playing specifically in London, my London headline show. Where I’m playing my music for the first time, in London.
More info here:
Reflections: This year, music has been the one thing that’s been consistently... good. Largely because of YOU. Sharing and listening and buying my music, letting me speak safely. Thank you
I’m very grateful for the safe places and people I’ve found. I don’t say it here enough. x
Thank you to everyone who reached out or tweeted or sent a message— I’m stunned in the car home.
Thank you to everyone who’s using my music as the starting point to deepen their compassion or their principles. Thank you if you’ve bought my record or sang back a song. Wow
It’s not Finton
It’s not Fintin
It’s not a hard name to mention
Not Vincent or Finbarr
Finny, Funny, Fintry
That’s not my name
(Jesus Christ, Fenton)
Say my name
Thank you
@esns
and
@RTE2fm
for allowing us to represent Ireland at Eurosonic tonight. It takes a village to build a dream, and what we’re building feels bright.
We said go bravely in 2020. Now, we’re gonna go boldly.
Thank you for all your support. Big love from the 061 x