Die Antwoord

Die Antwoord – Suck On This

Returning with their first new project in two years, Suck On This finds South African act Die Antwoord as strange and controversial as ever. I can’t claim to be a huge fan of duo Ninja and Yolandi Visser, but their output is always interesting, and Suck On This is no different.

Although 13 tracks long, Suck On This is more a taster for Die Antwoord’s anticipated fourth album than any type of cohesive long player. There are only five new tracks on the tape, scattered between weird skits and a bunch of remixes of some of the duo’s better known tracks. The two singles already released, Bum Bum and Gucci Coochie, are both indicative of the type of hip-hop/rave hybrid you can expect from Die Antwoord. Bum Bum is a filthy rap song centred around a sample of a woman saying “even in my bum” (read the story behind the song here) while Gucci Coochie is a club banger featuring Dita Von Teese of all people. Album opener Dance Wif Da Devil is more of an intro track and I Don’t Care a slow building dance thumper, with the soft, tribal influenced Dazed And Confused the clear highlight of the new material.

The addition of remixes is a bonus – particular The Black Goats‘ take on Enter Da Ninja and Gods‘ jungle remix of Fok Julle Naaiers – but they don’t add anything new to Die Antwoord’s growing music catalogue.

Verdict: One for Die Antwoord fans only.

https://soundcloud.com/dieantwoord/dazed-confused-ft-god-1

Casey Veggies – Customized Greatly 4: The Return Of The Boy 

The fourth release of Casey Veggies‘ Customized Greatly mixtape series continues the 22-year-old Californian rapper’s growth as a lyricist. Experimenting with a number of producers and including guest appearances from Dom Kennedy, Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign, Customised Greatly 4: The Return Of The Boy, is a well-rounded release that should keep Veggies’ fans happy.

Opener New Jack City and the piano laced Mike Zombie produced Street Fame explore Veggies’ love of hip-hop and the effects of fame, Canadian Tory Lanez (who we interviewed recently) pops up on the snapping Can’t Get Enough, while Danny Wolf comes through with a smooth beat on Choose Up. Brown’s and Veggies’ first collaboration, One On One, details the pair’s sexcapades while Harry Fraud, one of my favourite producers, delivers the goods on the relaxed Perfect Timing as Veggies raps about life in L.A. and his growing career.

Veggies improved lyricism shines on this mixtape, particularly on New Jack City and Feelings, with Customised Greatly on par with his debut studio album Live & Grow.

Verdict: Album quality mixtape well worth your time.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTMw2YEGDI4]

FKi 1st – First Time For Everything 

Atlanta production duo FKi, comprising of 1st Down and Sauce Lord Rich, are of the new breed of talented producers making their name in the hip-hop world. Having worked with the likes of 2 Chainz, Tyga and Post Malone in recent years, 1st Down has stepped out from behind the boards with his first solo release, First Time For Everything.

The six track project, released via Mad Decent, blends the glitchy hip-hop production the duo are known for with 1st’s Southern drawl and features from the producers’ good friends. UK rapper Danny Seth surprises on opener Prove Yourself while the late Bankroll Fresh adds a touch of menace to the probing GIT. But, it’s regular collaborators Post Malone and iLoveMakonnen who make the most impact with their contributions. The Meaning is based around a subtle guitar riff and R&B production, with Malone continuing his recent trend of singing without auto-tune, while iLoveMakonnen’s off-kilter delivery complements 1st’s own unique vocals.

Verdict: Entertaining project helped greatly by 1st’s big name friends.

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Image: Datpift