Die Antwoord Vs. Jack Parow

Right, I think it’s time we had this talk. It’s been on my mind for a while now, since Die Antwoord went viral. Who is the greatest Afrikaans rap act in South Africa? Furthermore, are Jack Parow and Die Antwoord even in the same category? Both Jack and Die Antwoord are exaggerated, larger-than-life acts but in my opinion one is, in an outlandish way, a voice for the South African youth and the other is a cleverly crafted act designed to get attention quickly through controversial characters and lyrics.

Jack Parow

My thoughts after the jump.

Maybe comparing them is wrong altogether. After all, isn’t the progression of Afrikaans, and local music what we should be focusing on? No one has done more for Afrikaans music that appeals to the youth, including Souties like me, than Die Antwoord and Jack Parow since Fokofpolisiekar. But the question that I have is which one will last?

Surely the more ‘real’ of the two has more longevity? Their unique sound and electro ‘rave’ vibe does set them apart but how long will people be entertained by the wildly explicit lyrics of Die Antwoord? Will ‘jou ma se poes’ repeated thirty times in a song get people watching Die Antwoord’s Youtube videos a million times four months from now? I doubt it.

I’ve been listening to Jack Parow’s album – ‘Cooler As Ekke’ a lot over the last few days and I have to say I far prefer it to Die Antwoords current offering. It’s not that I don’t enjoy Die Antwoords vibe. It’s incredible, very entertaining and both Waddy (Ninja) and Yolandi (Yo-Landi Vi$$er) have really embraced their new characters (though Waddy’s accent does slip up every now and then). It’s just that Parow is more real to me, and therefore more appealing.

One of the tracks off his album – ‘Die Vraagstuk’ is probably my favourite. It’s an honest narrative that we, as South Africans (actually the youth everywhere), can relate to perfectly. As South Africans I don’t think any of us can say ‘Die Vraagstuk’ doesn’t apply to us, at least in some way.

Some excerpts…

Ek soek meisies sonder high heels
Ek soek meisies sonder base
Ek soek meisies wat saam met my staan en vir almal dit wys
Ek soek regte vriende, vriende wat deur alles staan by my
Ek soek vriende wat heeltyd by dieselfde styl bly

Ek soek goeie waves
Ek soek paarties op die strand
Ek soek ‘n yskoue bier en ‘n joint in my hand

Ek soek mense wat by my kuier tot dit laat raak
Drinking games waar niemand ooit wen nie
Ek soek ‘n bar waar ek kan drink waar niemand my ken nie
So wie gaan by my staan in die koue oggendryp
Wie gaan by my staan as die donker suutjies inkruip
Wie gaan lê in my arms as die tortelduiwe roep
As die son opstaan opsoek na vars bloed

Check out the music video for ‘Die Vraagstuk’ featuring Die Heuwels Fantasties and Jack Parow.

Sick! Tell me that isn’t about you.

In fact, this is no longer a two sided debate as to who is the best between Jack Parow and Die Antwoord. As much as I dig Die Antwoord and everything they are doing, if I had to pick a side it would be Jack’s side. I don’t feel all the internet hype Die Antwoord are receiving is warranted when comparing them to the likes of Jack. But then again, I can see why Die Antwoord has more international appeal.

But what do you, the ‘locals’ think? Have you given Parow’s stuff a listen? I can’t say I don’t enjoy one of his tracks. Each of them is completely different to the next. Lyrically he rocks and the different sounds he brings into each track are sick.

Either way I can’t wait to check Jack Parow and Die Antwoord rocking at Ramfest at the end of the month.

Who do you prefer?

Nash…
Out.