Zef-watch 2010: Die Antwoord confirms deal with Interscope
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When they aren’t spitting Afrikaans-accented sex rhymes over “next-level” rave-rap beats, helping pet rats deliver a litter of babies or just generally toying with rabid fans’ sense of reality, the members of Die Antwoord have apparently been laying the groundwork to launch a global musical assault.
After months of speculation, the South African hip-hop trio – which provoked both shock and awe with its galvanizing 20-minute set at Coachella last month -- has reportedly signed a deal with Interscope Records to release its debut album.
Although the group’s label reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment, in keeping with the viral nature of Die Antwoord’s popularity so far, a “Guess What” tab on dieantwoord.com reveals a grainy, 44-second video of front-man Ninja getting a full back tattoo – swords impaling S-shaped serpents, flanking a yin-yang symbol to form the word “$O$.” Not coincidentally, this is also the name of the 17-track mix-tape that streamed until recently on the website. According to the video, a 23-track version of “$O$” will be dropping “soon on Interscope Records.” Angeleno fans can decide for themselves on July 17, when Die Antwoord takes the stage at Los Angeles State Historic Park, as part of the lineup for Hard L.A., appearing alongside more established acts including N.E.R.D., Sleigh Bells, M.I.A. and Flying Lotus. -- Chris Lee
Photo: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times
