Die Antwoord are to play in Poland. A day after the announcement, a petition was created to cancel the concert

The Die Antwoord band was founded in 2008 and its members still consist of rapper Watkin Tudor Jones nicknamed Ninja, singer Yolandi Visser and DJ Hi-Tek. They gained international recognition in 2011 when they performed at the Australian Big Day Out festival. The group’s characteristic features are an innovative approach to hip-hop and an eccentric image.

Team members may have a lot on their conscience. The world remembers this

So far, Die Antwoord have had the opportunity to play five concerts in Poland, the last of which took place in 2018 during the Kraków Live Festival. A few days ago, Live Nation Polska announced the group’s concert, which is to take place on April 8, 2024 at the Stodoła club in Warsaw. Many of the band’s fans were probably happy about this, but critical opinions on this topic prevail on the Internet. Why?

In recent years, a lot of disturbing information about the life of Die Antwoord has come to light. This is indicated by the creator of the KMK – Koncerty Muzyka Kino blog, which created on the website petycjeonline.com

Already in the introduction, he informs that the concert organizer is covering up media reports from recent years, writing that the band took a longer break from performing due to “their desire to focus on what they love the most – art and music.” As the author of the petition explains:

This is not true. In 2019, many music festivals withdrew their services and canceled their performances due to the increasingly frequent allegations against Watkin Tudor “Ninja” Jones and Anri “Yolandi Wisser” du Toit and the publication of a video in which band members insult and attack musician Andy Butler’s ego.

It is worth mentioning that these were homophobic attacks, which were greatly disliked by the international community. In the same year, Australian rapper Zheani Sparkes also accused Ninja of rape, grooming and distributing sexual photos and videos without her consent. Her confession prompted similar accusations from Italian artist Dianna Del Monte, who also accused the rapper of sexual assault.

In 2022, the son adopted by Die Antwoord musicians accused them of abuse

However, this is not all the controversy that has arisen in connection with the band’s activities. In 2022, Gabriel “Tokkie” du Preez – the adopted son of Yolandi Visser and Ninja, gave an interview in which he talked about how he was treated by his adoptive parents. In it he clearly stated that he was adopted by a couple when he was only nine years old “for the purpose of enslavement.”

– I realized that they were using me like a prop, like clothes. That they do it to sell promotional materials, for music videos […] They wanted to adopt me probably to gain more publicity, admitted Tokkie in an interview with Ben Jay Crossman. Moreover, he told how the couple told him that he was a devil and encouraged him to watch pornography, expose himself and other bad behavior.

The author of the petition also recalls other crimes committed by members of the group that have occurred in recent years. “Popular rapper Danny Brown also allegedly fell victim to Ninja after one of his concerts in Paris. The Die Antwoord singer, despite Brown’s reluctance, allegedly sat on his lap while under the influence of drugs and kissed him. He also allegedly asked him about the hotel where he was staying. found and claim that they will find it anyway. The group should also be accused of cultural appropriation (e.g. Xhosa) and numerous uses of blackface,” we read. However, in these words he sums up the reason for creating this petition:

The return of this group, organizing their concert in Poland and giving them a platform to continue their activities is scandalous. However, we can prevent this, so I encourage you to sign and share this petition. The band has already tried to return to festivals in the last few years, but other artists protested and did not intend to share the stage with them – he sums up.

You need help?

Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual contact. According to UNICEF data, approximately 15 million teenagers between 15 and 19 years of age have experienced this type of violence around the world, but only 1 percent of teenagers seek help from a professional. Research shows that 80 percent Rape victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If you are a victim of sexual violence, you can get help by calling, for example, the “Niebieska Linia” Telephone Clinic – 22 668 70 00 (7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) or the 24-hour emergency telephone number of the Women’s Rights Center – 600 070 717.