"I’m proud that the work causes chaos in the hearts of racists."
Due to the colour of her skin, the Irish rapper has had to deal with vile abuse from far-right trolls on social media since bursting onto the Irish music scene.
Limerick rapper Denise Chaila has responded to a torrent of abuse sent her way. Social media users named "Irish Rose xii" and "Professor Jeremiah Honkleberg" have responded to her music videos on YouTube, with hurtful, racist remarks.
Alongside screenshots of those people's abusive comments, Chaila tweeted a response which deserves to be praised.
Writing that she is "proud" of how allegedly divisive her music is, she says: "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."
However, she does acknowledge that "hateful energy" does not deserve a place in her music: "But I’m also here to point out that this hateful energy is like that of a lynch mob. For the record."
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. https://t.co/fINVpo45AL
— denise (@DeniseChaila) February 12, 2021
A number of Irish musicians and supporters of Denise Chaila shared positive words of encouragement with the performer, such as Conor O'Brien of The Villagers, and Dublin Lord Mayor Hazel Chu.
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” - Eleanor Roosevelt ?
— Villagers (@wearevillagers) February 12, 2021
You're simply amazing xx
— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) February 12, 2021
HUGE LOVE TO U DENISE
— David O'Doherty (@phlaimeaux) February 12, 2021
Sending you solidarity. It's appalling that base-level racism is so to the fore in Ireland that you are forced to deal with this as an aspect of your success, and that so many refuse to even acknowledge that this is the REALITY.
— Una Mullally (@UnaMullally) February 12, 2021
Chaila has enjoyed huge success over the past few months. She appeared on 'The Late Late Show' last year, performing 'Chaila', while afterwards speaking about internet trolls who, again, have hurled abuse at her in the past.
The performer's latest music video for 'Anseo' with Dublin rapper Jafaris, which released at the end of January, was featured on The Fader, with the New York publication highlighting her "epic new visuals".
If you’re looking for the video premier of ‘Anseo’? It’s HERE!! Thank you @thefader ??@JafarisMusic & @narolanerecords doing Game of Thrones? Why not. ? ⚔️? https://t.co/06SS2EBXqn
— denise (@DeniseChaila) January 29, 2021
Here's Denise Chaila's music video for 'Anseo', which is indeed all kinds of epic.
Denise Chaila's 2020 album 'GO Bravely' is available on Spotify or wherever you get your music, now.