Die Antwoord, South African Hip-hop Duo, Cancels Israel Concert

Although show producers and band management insists that the cancellation was not politically motivated, there are doubts.  The band insists that the cancellation is due to a late start to their tour.

Hip-hop group Die Antwoord has canceled its performance in Israel that had been scheduled for August 2, the show’s producers said Sunday.

According to an official statement, the South African group, which performed in Israel in 2016, planned to kick off its current world tour in Israel, but its decision to postpone the tour by two days led to the cancellation.

“[Group members] Ninja and Yolandi want to tell their audience that they expect to reschedule the show and perform before their amazing audience in Israel,” the official announcement read.

The statement also said that anyone who bought tickets will receive an automatic reimbursement by the party that sold them, and that alternative dates are being considered.

Die Antwoord was founded in Cape Town in 2008, releasing their debut album, $O$ , featuring the hit “Enter the Ninja,” a year later. They soon signed with Interscope Records and went on to establish their own independent label, through which they released their subsequent albums.

Their most recent album, “Mount Ninji and Da Nice Time Kid,” was released in 2016, and included productions by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. The group is expected to release a new album, “The Book of Zef,” this year, which its members have said will be its final one. However, the group has previously announced that it was disbanding but continued to perform live.