Non-Metal Recommendation of the New Year: Die Antwoord - $O$

Artist: Die Antwoord

Album: $O$

Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop

I'm sure, by now, a somewhat good portion of you readers have at least heard of Die Antwoord, wether you recognize it or not.  Everyone seems to have heard "that ninja song" ("Enter The Ninja"), and wether they enjoy it or not, they recognize it.  

For those of you who are unaware to Die Antwoord's existence, they are a hip-hop group hailing from South Africa.  The tracks on the album are rather unique.  Some can appreciate, while others don't seem to find the merit behind the groups releases.   The best way I can describe these guys is a South African version of The Beastie Boys.  

Their lyrics are rather random, and childish at times.  But, at the same time, I can appreciate the rhymes for Ninja's superior flow, and the overall fun, simplistic, yet unique feel to the songs.  A typical Antwoord song generally consists of many penis, boner, breast, and vagina references as well as any other sexual content that can be worked in.  This has been done a thousand times in the states, but our artists don't have the audacity to spit what Ninja does on $O$.  The group lays it out there, and lets the haters hate, and the followers follow.  

Though this album is most likely one of the most unbalanced albums I've yet to hear, I definitely appreciate the diversity of songs it brings to the table.  Given that Die Antwoord is essentially a bunch of kids cracking dick jokes at heart, I can't let their unbalanced song-writing get in the way of enjoying $O$ for what it is.  In the same way Rodriguez and Tarantino assaulted the screens with their double feature grindhouse experience, I see Die Antwoord do the same for the rap and hip-hop scene.

Wether you hate them, love them, or have yet to hear them, I have to give Die Antwoord the credit they deserve.  They are getting their name out there, and they don't give a fuck what people think of them.  I'm going to take a leap here, and highly recommend you check this group out.  I'm not making any promises to wether or not you readers will enjoy the group.  But they are at least worth a listen or two.