MIKA the better one wrote:
Time zones make it an avalanche of comments when I wake up.
I know what you mean. I'm subscribed on an international SCUBA forum with an overwhelming dominance of members from the States. The same thing happens to me; I'd take part in a discussion and by the time I see one response I will see 20 responses and the conversation will have taken a new direction. Quite frustrating.
MIKA the better one wrote:I guess what I don't understand right now is why so many people from SA don't like the idea of Die Antwoord. I guess further is even if it were agreed they were portraying there concept of some Afrikaans culture, why would that be so offensive? Like I mentioned some of you consider me an American, I guess that's about as close as I can be to one nationality, I maybe just dont see they problem with parodying some communities.
I have no problem with parodying some communities, even the communities of which I am part. I just object to the assertion that what Die Antwoord is portraying is Afrikaans culture. They are portraying a sub culture which is very much at the fringe of South African society and has only the most marginal link to Afrikaans culture. But I'll step off that argument now. Let me address the issue of parody.
Some parodies are done well (I think Zapiro or Jon Stewart are examples of people who are very skilled in the art of parody). Some parodies, on the other hand, are just poor. To me Die Antwoord is rather poor in that particular craft. Not only poor but tasteless at the same time. Maybe the fact that they are more popular in countries that don't know diddly squat about South African culture than they are in South Africa itself is a hint that they miss the mark completely.
Also, how popular are they really in the USA? I suspect they are popular there amongst a rather fringe group of music lovers as well. It's not like they are leaving a strong impression on the music scene in general over there, it's just that even small economies in the USA are massive by South African standards. So comparing them against the Parlotones would be nonsensical. The Parlotones, in trying to break into the USA scene would probably be competing with the likes of Maroon 5, Train or One Direction for the attention of their chosen target audience. Die Antwoord does not compete with Maroon 5, Train or One Direction at all. That, might I say more mainline audience, probably finds Die Antwoord as repulsive as I do.
