“History of South Africa: Nelson Mandela, District 9, Die Antwoord. That’s it.”

Die Antwoord, a South African rap due that sing songs about…..who the fuck knows what, have arrived. Their debut album, $O$, out today, is a HOT MESS. The best I can figure, sometimes because I’m just enjoying it aimlessly, and sometimes because I am failing at following AT ALL (and I refuse to look up lyrics, because I lose my natural evaluation and enjoyment trying to read/remember them), is that in many ways, Die Antwoord are just like their rapping contemporaries.

Tupac: Thug Life
Die Antwoord: Zef

All rappers: weed
Die Antwoord: weed

All rappers: proud of their genitals
Die Antwoord: totally proud

Most, if not all, people are still a little fuzzy on what Zef is, but if you watch or listen to Die Antwoord, it’s kind of everywhere….and you STILL DON’T KNOW. But I digress; Die Antwoord is totally fun and genuinely crazy. On top of that, they are REALLY good rappers. Their verses are twisty, fast, and incorporate South African slang, English, and a bunch of stuff that just doesn’t exist. All of this spazzing on top of Diplo production makes for some kind of seriously warped party.

My friend asked me, while I was playing this album for him, if it was going to break my heart to find out that this group is totally manufactured?

This stuff is better than real. And that’s not to say you’re going to like it, but it’s pretty hard to look away.

Recommended track: “super evil” (a sampler of all the album’s charms) and “doos dronk” (a fucking pirate dirge)