Die Antwoord Introduces South Africa’s Zef Counter-Culture to the United States

One of Africa’s hottest acts has been making moves in the United States, and with the release of a brand-new album the buzz is quickly picking up.

Die Antwoord is a rave-rap trio from Cape Town who launched their music career back in 2008. The band brought a bizarre hip-hop, electro, and rave music fusion to the masses with projects like 2012’s Ten$Ion, which peaked at No. 143 on the Billboard 200, and the U.S. re-release of 2009’s debut $O$ in 2010, which placed slightly higher on the albums chart at No. 109. Die Antwoord reps South Africa’s zef counter-culture which, according to the band’s Yo-Landi Vi$$er, is “you’re poor but you’re fancy. You’re poor but you’re sexy, you’ve got style.”

The hip-hop trio went viral in 2009 with the eye-popping visuals of their breakout hit “Enter the Ninja,” and followed with other wacky releases like “Fok Julle Naaiers,” “Fatty Boom Boom” and “Evil Boy.” After briefly signing with Interscope Records, the South African rap group founded their own label, Zef Recordz, through which they released their sophomore album and the brand-new Donker Mag, which hit stores earlier this week, on June 3.

Die Antwoord is comprised of Watkin Tudor Jones (Ninja), Anri Du Toit (Yo-Landi Vi$$er), and Justin De Nobrega (DJ Hi-Tek). Check out Die Antwoord’s third studio album Donker Mag now and look out for more rave-rap goodness from the band!