Album Review: Die Antwoord ‘Mount Ninji & da Nice Time Kid’

South African rave-rap group Die Antwoord have just dropped their new album ‘Mount Ninji and da Nice Time Kid’, and it’s about as bizarre as rap-rave gets! The release marks their fourth studio album which carries a darker and slightly more disturbed undertone (if that’s even possible for DA!). The album comes after recent rumours suggested the group were breaking up, but Yo Landi quickly cleared things up for us!

No idea who Die Antwoord is? The singing/rapping duo Yo Landi and Ninja have developed an unusual style which is a mix between alternative hip hop, rap, and rave music while their infusion of zef culture (modern trashy, luxurious gangster – “you’re poor but you’re fancy, you’re poor but you’re sexy) ties it altogether.  The duo formed in 2008 and rose to fame with the release of their 2012 track I Fink You Freeky.

“The album’s lead single Banana Brain will make you feel like you’re covered in glow sticks at an underground rave but still present is rapper Ninja’s killer verses.”

The duo infused their unique zef-culture sound into a mashup of hip hop, trap, and rave to create the 15-track album which features guest artists like Lil Tommy Terror, Jack Black, and even burlesque queen Dita Von Tesse! Originally titled ‘Rats Rule’ and then ‘We Have Candy’, Die Antwoord describe the album as “dark and ratty” with a core that’s “kinda mental and lunatic and random and juicy”.

The opening track We Have Candy opens with a doorbell ringing followed by a creepy monologue which features Yo Landi whispering “come to the dark side/we have candy”. The disturbing monologue is backed by dark Sweeney Todd-esque music with the echo of knives being sharpened in the background. As the intro comes to an end, the duo’s famous rap-rave style begins and sets the tone for the rest of the album.

The album’s lead single Banana Brain will make you feel like you’re covered in glow sticks at an underground rave but still present is rapper Ninja’s killer verses. If you have a fear of clowns or anything carnival related, Shit Just Got Real is probably your worst nightmare! Featuring slightly more aggressive vocals, the track references Latino 90s hip hop group Cypress Hill as Sen Dog opens with “It’s another one of them mo-f*cker Cypress Hill thangs”.

Next on the list is Gucci Coochie which features the sultry vocals of burlesque dancer Dita Von Tesse accompanied by Yo Landi who sounds like the darkest cheerleader to ever ‘bring it on’. The album then interludes with tracks Wings On My P*nis and U Like Boobies which features the voices of children talking about things children shouldn’t talk about sans-music.

Actor and musician Jack Black features on the next track Rats Rule which again will creep you out if you’re not a fan of clowns and carnival music. On the track, Black demonstrates his insane ability to impersonate many different characters.

“Also a highlight is the gloriously NSFW track Fat Faded F*ck Face, which features bass-heavy trap beats and is a profanity-lovers paradise.”

An album highlight, Stoopid Rich is probably the least weird track on the album as Ninja and Yo Landi rap about their “baller” lifestyles in the most gangster way possible! Also a highlight is the gloriously NSFW track Fat Faded F*ck Face, which features bass-heavy trap beats and is a profanity-lovers paradise.

The slightly different track Peanut Butter and Jelly is also a favourite as the duo put an electronic twist on their signature sound. Die Antwoord makes another reference to Cypress Hill in Alien as Yo Landi sings “F*ck a normal life/that’s lame/me I’m insane in the brain”. The closing track I Don’t Care wraps up the album in the most explosive way possible, as you’re once again transported into an underground rave party.

Die Antwoord are heading to Australia later this year to headline Origin NYE Festival in Perth. Watch Die Antwoord’s crazy new music video for the album’s leading single Banana Brain below!

Three stars, but only because it scared the sh*t out of me…