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Being compared to Madonna when it comes to singing ability may not exactly constitute a compliment in the mind of most truly talented musicians.
However, when the likes of an Emmy award-winning talk show host not-so-subtly suggests your act is far superior to anything the queen of pop has to offer, the world can’t help but take notice.
Well, the world according to David Letterman, at any rate.
Just why the folks over in the US fink they’re freeky and they like them a lot has many of us here on local shores baffled and bemused.
Nevertheless, there’s no denying Die Antwoord are part of a swift-flowing stream of performers helping to finally place SA firmly on the global entertainment map.
Charlize Theron paved the way along Hollywood’s yellow brick road (not to undercut legendary greats such as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, whose works are arguably more familiar to the socially aware and educated among the international masses).
But with her distinctly adopted American accent and showbiz swag, there’s less “Benoni” than “Beverly Hills” left in the girl.
Enter funnyman Trevor Noah, whose recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno also created quite a stir stateside; designer David Tlale who jetted off on Wednesday to stage his first exhibition around New York Fashion Week; Terry Pheto, who has managed to cleverly capitalise on Tsotsi’s success by securing a contract as the face of French cosmetics house, L’Oréal and bagged herself a role on long-running popular soap, The Bold and the Beautiful; Sharlto Copley and his now famous loathing for “f****n’ prawns”; Shaun Morgan, who has been flying the SA flag for some time as the frontman of alternative rock band, Seether, and even little 11-year-old Cleo Filander of 2009’s SA’s Got Talent fame, who was personally asked by Richard Branson to sing (albeit via Skype) at his daughter’s wedding in December.
Local reception to Die Antwoord’s growing popularity in the US hasn’t been all favourable though, with some stating “Of all the good South African bands we have, Americans choose this k*k to represent South Africa”; “Sies! Just goes to show how sick the world has become!”; “When did idiotic and common turn to fame?” or a simple, but eloquent “PUKE! PUKE! PUKE!”
Okay, so I won’t pretend to enjoy the band’s brand of Afrikaans acid rap, nor will I be going out and shaving my hair into a mullet style any time soon. But if the likes of a trailer trash honky tonk gal from Louisiana and grille-wearing, underpants-flashing seeminly illiterate sorts are considered successful representations of US culture, what’s wrong with a little east-side Zef?
Lara De Matos
Tonight Editor
lara.dematos@inl.co.za
) and select "Flag as inappropriate". Our moderators will take action if need be.
issyM, wrote
the problem is you guys want S.A to be represented by the Hoity Toity...Die Antwoord ROCKS,maybe if you understood the word ZEF,then you would understand.
JadedJay, wrote
hendrik, wrote
Don't forget Embeth Davidz, Arnold Vosloo, Seether... Die antwoord is commerically successful, but the dishonesty ito where they come from irritates me - the guy known as Ninja is actually called Watkin Tudor Jones and is very English, yet these day he pretends to be Afrikaans. Seriously, if you want to stereotype a people, at least have the decency to acknowledge that you are doing that, rather than to pretend you're one of them.
Jason, wrote
Trevor Jones was born on the side of the colour line and coming out of District Six in Cape Town. He has been living in the US for decades and is credited with the music scores of many film amongst some notable films like Nottinghill, Cliffhanger, Mississippi Burning and Runaway Train. Trevor Rabin former lead singer of Rabbit out of Johannesburg has been living in the US for the last 2 decades writing music scores for films like 'I am number Four', 'G-Force' and 'National Treasure' among many. Thus these two ex-South Africans have been flying the SA flag quietly and with absolute dignity. I am sure there are many more successful former South Africans who do not make the newspapers. Incidently, is there something in the name Trevor?
Bob, wrote
Why is it that people miss the obvious? Music is a business and the "group" is a product designed for a particular audience. Whether you like it or not, Die Antwoord is nothing more than that, or at most a social experiment. Sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and not get your underwear in a knot about something that shouldn't bother you if you can just ignore it.
Chocolate Droppa, wrote
well i am proud and happy for Die Antwoord...take a artist like Soulja boy, he's first single was :CRANK DAT: it sucked, but he's a multi millionare..so i am happy for our Die Antwoord, let them get they paper
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