SA rappers find US favour

American late-night TV presenter David Letterman took a swipe at pop icon Madonna, calling South African rap trio Die Antwoord's performance on his show the half-time show.

Letterman clearly didn't think much of the pop icon's showy performance at Sunday night's NFL Superbowl game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots - calling Ninja, Yo-Landi and DJ Hi-Tek "unique".

Letterman introduced the three South Africans - Yo-Landi in her customary oversized white T-shirt and hi-top sneakers, DJ Hi-Tek covered in a mask, and Ninja in red from top to bottom in a tracksuit and hoodie - while holding a copy of their new album, Ten$ion.

Ninja spat: "Back in the day, them twankies didn't wanna believe in us, little did they know they was in for a big surprise ... [sic]."

At one point the singing duo jumped around the stage, chanting: "Jump, tokoloshe, jump."

Yo-Landi's lyrics seemed to entertain the host and his audience as they chuckled when she closed the performance whispering: "I think you're freaky and I like you a lot."

After the performance of their new single I Fink U Freeky, the Emmy Award-winning Letterman said to the group: "Welcome to the show. Thank you very much. Good to see you, thank you. Pleasure to have you here."

After a pause, he said: "Well, my God, there's your half-time show. Who are we kidding? Die Antwoord, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for watching."

BBC Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding tweeted yesterday: "First a comedian. Now a band. The South Africans are coming", referring to Trevor Noah's appearance on The Jay Leno Show last month. Another user, Jane, tweeted: "Def not feeling SA proudness with Die Antwoord I felt with @Trevornoah."

Nadia Yuliani said: "Die Antwoord is the worst kind of acid trip anyone could have."

The group seem to have found a gap in the US market, more than locally, and have joined fashion designer Alexander Wang on his guerrilla-style spring campaign - previously headed by rockers Santigold and Spankrock.

Die Antwoord's appearance will be broadcast on DStv's Sony Entertainment Television channel next Tuesday at 11.15pm.