How topical! Not only have we stumbled upon South Africa’s most interesting group but the country also seems to be hosting some kind of sporting event this month. Dwarfing football is wiry white rapper Ninja, bizarre tiny-fringed female rapper Yo-Landi Vi$$er and chunky beatmaster DJ Hi-Tek.

What started as morbid curiosity in their ‘Enter the Ninja’ video has grown into a strange admiration. The track is repulsively addictive, has a hook that will stay with you for days and a rap that has to be heard to be believed. It’s lyrical content is nothing compared to nine-minute long ‘Beat Boy’ though; a masterpiece in evolving beats and mind-twisting techno and lyrically it’s pretty much a leaf out of an angry and lonely fourteen year old fantasist’s notebook – all violence, sex and weirdness. It’s the tale of Ninja’s adventure with a lady as they transport into different situations, culminating in her having a penis grafted on and wreaking havoc with her new anatomical addition. You’ll have to listen to get the ins and outs; they’re not suitable for publication. Like the whole album it’s hilarious, ridiculous and over the top, but there’s a sparkle in this threesome’s eyes that shines through the record and makes it adorable. As much of a joke as they can sometimes sound, Ninja can rap like the best of them and the music’s generally fifty times more inventive than your standard rap album, fusing all sorts of heady dance into the mix to create a real unique sound.

You know when you look through your albums and every year you buy a couple that you look back on and think, ‘what was I thinking?’ Well, make this year’s be $0$ – it’s so much fun!

-TC

Tags: $0$, die antwoord
Posted in Reviews