Die Antwoord Gives Fans a Sample of ‘We Have Candy’ With ‘Suck On This’ Mixtape

Matt Matasci

Cape Town rave-rap group Die Antwoord have had a history of releasing music for free. They broke out in ‘09 after giving away their debut “$O$” online for free. MCs Ninja and Yolandi Visser have always exuded a chaotic energy that is unlike anyone else in the music world. They blend elements of hardcore rap, rave-style EDM and sport an insanely fierce attitude and quickly became critical darlings via their three very strong LPs. After dropping three new singles in a matter of weeks, they are back with another free-to-download release. Several songs on the album are remixes of previously recorded tracks like “I Fink U Freeky,” “Pitbull Terrier” and the album closer “Enter the Ninja.” Additionally, there are several “skits” breaking up the album into two-to-three song chunks and like most sketches on rap albums, they are mildly amusing the first go-round and completely skippable on subsequent listens.  

The opening track features the MCs discussing their group’s name while bashing fools in America who mispronounce it. Visser ends the intro by explaining the album’s title: Yeah so, I know you are waiting for the new ‘We Have Candy’ album but in the meantime ‘Suck On This.’” Their fourth proper studio album, “We Have Candy,” is rumored to be complete and ready for release but for the time being the band is holding it back. This mixtape teaser is not a substitute for the real thing but the handful of legitimately new songs show great promise.  

True to the album’s title, Visser and Ninja take little time to pummel the listener with their hypersexual brand of hip-hop a la “Bum Bum.” Too cool for metaphors, Die Antwoord speaks in terms of anal sex with lines like the repetitious “Even in my bum/Even, Even in my bum” and “I like you when you say ‘Fuck me anywhere’/Anywhere? Anywhere, Ninja/I don’t really care.” This being the raunchiest song in recent memory not written by Peaches, it’s real, it’s raw and actually infectiously catchy.

“Gucci Coochie” is slightly more metaphorical than the previous song. This track features guest vocals from the well-known burlesque dancer Dita von Teese who sings about her expensive taste, high-class style and ability to get it all for free: She livin’ the fast lane, sippin’ on champagne/Getting real paid since she’s livin’ in L.A.,” and “She gets everything she wants/She gets everything for free/She will fuck up your whole life/With her little Gucci coochie.” No, it’s not high-brow stuff but musically and stylistically it draws the listener in and never releases its grip.

“Dazed and Confused” is the third single to be released in anticipation of “Suck On This.” With an ever-so-slight island vibe, the song is Die Antwoord’s take on stoner-rap. It offers surprisingly mellow moods – surprising coming from a group that would seem to take more readily to speed. This more pop-driven take on the band’s sound is a welcome respite from the mile-a-minute beats and rapping that is found throughout the rest of their discography.

While “Suck On This” is unlikely to satiate the biggest fans of the South African hip-hop group, it does provide a small taste of what is to come. Judging from the quality of the new songs on the album, it appears that the music world should be getting excited for the release of “We Have Candy.”

“Suck On This” is available May 19 for free from DatPiff.