Die Antwoord

I have been frantically trying to figure out exactly what the deal is with this South African band, 'Die Antwoord.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_pS46YRMIQ

It seems from their videos and website that they might be a lark band or something. The production value and musically quality (which is not everyone's cup o' tea) is very high and there is a pretty flash website for such an odd band from literally nowhere. And the wiki page mentions something about the singer always staying character like Sacha Baron Cohen.

I've figured them out ... they're a bunch of fcukwits.

Quote: The Rook @ February 11 2010, 10:48 PM GMT

I've figured them out ... they're a bunch of fcukwits.

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I guess you will not like this one either. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc3f4xU_FfQ
I think it is interesting.

Oh lordy! I like the bit near the end where hes saying 'he's made it' hahahahaha.

Hey Decks,

thanks for posting I enjoyed that.

It's definitely a mickey-take. Bands like that are quite popular in South Africa and they often become more popular than the bands they were originally taking off.

I like the way that people take to these cultural critiques. They can't see past the image and of what these people say and take it as a way of living. Sasha Baron Cohen's message (through Ali G) to proponents of gangster rap was 'don't you look and think stupidly'. It was the same with Peter York's 'The Sloane Ranger's Handbook', that was a piss take of the lifestyle but the 'Sloanies' took the book as the way of living. Doh!

I was doing some more research and I was able to 'figure them out'. according to this article:

http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=15&p=7966&more=1

The band is a sort of 'video-comedy-sketch-troupe-cum-live-conceptual-rap-act' that is led by a musician who forays into performance art.

The 'outing' of the band members as 'fakes' seems to have outraged many South Africans who have seen the band numerous times and are witness to the South African 'Zef' culture.

So Die Antwoord is a very real band in that the music is very real and they capture a real culture, they are just not necessarily a part of that culture.

Sacha Baron Cohen's characters are compared to Die Antwoord in this article as well as others I have read. The Band members have very literally adapted their stage personae and live it every day.

I am sure there were many journalists who were clamoring to uncover the truth behind the band, but even though the truth that they are not really the characters they have assumed, does that really make them any different than Marylin Manson, Alice Cooper or even Spinal Tap. Die Antwoord is Spinal Tap if the lads from Spinal Tap would have been method actors.

Anyway, we will see if the band picks up speed. They tour Europe and the US later this year. The music is probably the most original music I have heard in a while. The only question is whether or not the audience will buy the image (no matter how deep in character) or consider it a fraud.

I grew up in South Africa so I recognised the cultural references and dialogue that led me to believe it's a piss take, but as you say they've captured real culture whether its 'their' reality, or they are exposing anothers doesn't matter. It's funny!

South Africans are, contrary to popular belief, very good at lampooning themselves to comic effect. Humour helps to inform and build understanding about other cultures.

Die Antoord's lyrics, sound and videos are brilliant, whether or not the band is real, doesn't matter. Some of Spinal Tap's songs could've been 'real'.

Nando's adverts in SA are classic examples of taking stereotypes and ripping the piss out of them in a clever, funny way.

Quote: AngieBaby @ February 12 2010, 10:56 PM GMT

I grew up in South Africa so I recognised the cultural references and dialogue that led me to believe it's a piss take, but as you say they've captured real culture whether its 'their' reality, or they are exposing anothers doesn't matter. It's funny!

South Africans are, contrary to popular belief, very good at lampooning themselves to comic effect. Humour helps to inform and build understanding about other cultures.

Die Antoord's lyrics, sound and videos are brilliant, whether or not the band is real, doesn't matter. Some of Spinal Tap's songs could've been 'real'.

Nando's adverts in SA are classic examples of taking stereotypes and ripping the piss out of them in a clever, funny way.

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HAHA! here is first the Nandos advert I pulled up at You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX1jh7QdrpY&feature=related

Got a laugh out of me.

I figured I would get someone on this baord that knew a little something about SA. I am not sure what the relationship is between the British and SA since the Boer war. I am not even sure what the relationship was before either, for that matter. I am pretty sure it was a British department or something.

I have always wanted to go there, but I HATE spiders and I have heard that there are some scary ones there.

Quote: deckard @ February 12 2010, 2:57 AM GMT

I have been frantically trying to figure out exactly what the deal is with this South African band, 'Die Antwoord.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_pS46YRMIQ

View original

Just from watching this I had the impression it was a piss take from the false tattoos and esp 1:15 onwards which made me laugh, the girl's parts also made me grin.

Personally with stuff like this (and perhaps also with Yankovic) I don't worry about getting them or working out what they're really about, I tend to just enjoy them on both a musical level and also as the 'concept.' Generally, I find that it's the music that hooks me before the fun.

DIE ANTWOORD VS ENYA : ORINOCO NINJA FLOW.

http://www.watkykjy.com/

Haha, what else can I say here?

Hmmm. I want to know what went on here.