Iconic British trip-hop duo Massive Attack was detained by Singaporean authorities after displaying a Palestinian flag onstage toward the end of its performance at The Star Theatre in Singapore on July 29. Founding members Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall were isolated and questioned separately, while some of the band’s crew were subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation during an investigation into alleged breaches of the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act and the Public Order Act.
Last August 1, authorities confirmed that Del Naja and Marshall were “banned from re-entering Singapore” and that any future applications for them to perform there would not be approved. In a joint statement, the Singapore Police Force said the display violated a law that criminalizes the unauthorized display of foreign flags, as well as another governing public assemblies. The former carries a penalty of up to 500 Singaporean dollars or six months’ imprisonment.
Authorities described the musicians’ actions as something that could “potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore.” They urged “the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law.” The investigation included consultations with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and police issued “stern warnings” to Massive Attack.
Speaking Out
On August 2, Massive Attack took to Instagram to post a statement regarding its stance on the matter. The band said that before stepping onstage, large sections of the venue had organically broken into chants of “Free Palestine.”
“For our part, we did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries (Palestine) would violate any law,” the band wrote.
The band went on to thank its Singaporean fans for their brave “impromptu expression,” saying they “clearly felt the moral imperative to show solidarity with the Palestinian people facing an ongoing illegal occupation, apartheid, and genocide.” They added that the “surreal experience” was a “reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression wherever those rights are threatened, including at home in the U.K. where, extraordinarily, we still see peaceful protesters arrested under terrorism laws for holding up handwritten signs protesting genocide — despite appeals from all sides of the political spectrum.”
Back in April 2026, Del Naja was among the 500 protesters arrested during a Palestine Action protest in London. Del Naja spoke to the Press Association about his arrest.
“If I get arrested, I feel very confident that if I stand up in court with the right guidance and say, ‘This was an unlawful arrest and, therefore, I don’t accept it,’” he says. “I think that the actions of Palestine Action were highly patriotic because they were pretty much protecting our country from getting involved in serious war crimes and breaking international law. How much more patriotic can you be than that?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Massive Attack currently consists of founding members Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall.
Massive Attack performed at The Star Theatre in Singapore on July 29, 2026.
Singaporean authorities said the band violated laws governing the display of foreign national emblems and public order after displaying a Palestinian flag during the band’s performance.
Authorities said the band allegedly breached the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act and the Public Order Act.
Robert “3D” Del Naja was arrested in London at the Palestine Action protest last April 2026.
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