Die Antwoord

Typical of postmodern Internet crazes, South African rap crew Die Antwoord has its new American audience wondering whether it’s passionate or prankish—and whether it should be read as genuine cultural export or ridiculous parody. In addition to abruptly educating the world about “zef” (which translates as either a defiantly trashy style of music, the surrounding culture, or both), MCs Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er along with DJ Hi-Tek seem happy to let the confusion linger, judging from the hypnotically over-stimulated video for “Enter The Ninja” and “Zef Side.” Beyond the onslaught of deliberately (?) silly images and personas, the barbed rapping and over-the-top production hint at some genuine—if warped—hip-hop aggression. Die Antwoord’s latest, Ten$Iondropped earlier this month, on the heels of the wackadoo video for the record’s second single, “I Fink U Freeky,” which featured a goat-monster ripping out another’s heart, Temple Of Doom-style.

Updated 02/01/2012