Die Antwoord, $O$
Cherrytree/Interscope

Die Antwoord’s much-hyped $O$ debut is bound to disappoint casual listeners turned off by the jackhammer rave beats of “Wat Kyk Jy?” and Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$ser’s quirky Afrikaans slang. But a closer listen to this surprisingly entertaining album will yield rewards. Yo-Landi drops some brutally funny sex rhymes on “Evil Boy,” while Ninja imbues “She Makes Me a Killer” and “Beat Boy” with shocking twists worthy of Eminem and Dizzee Rascal. Despite a brash and divisive image that recalls Prodigy in its glory years, Die Antwoord is really taking aim at youth culture, which it parodies in broadly irreverent fashion.

On November 10, Allido Records/Interscope will release Wale’s debut album Attention: Deficit. Unlike his mixtapes, Wale goes in a softer, more contemplative direction this time, collaborating with R&B folk such as Pharrell, Colin Munroe, Jazmine Sullivan, Chrisette Michelle, Melanie Fiona and Marsha Ambrosius. On the rap end, there’s Gucci Mane, Bun B and J. Cole. Production comes courtesy of mentor Mark Ronson, David Andrew Sitek from TV on the Radio, Cool & Dre, DJ Green Lantern and Best Kept Secret (who handled Wale’s acclaimed The Mixtape About Nothing).

At the moment, Wale is only opening a few dates on Jay-Z’s “college tour.” But judging from past jaunts, expect plenty of touring from him in 2010.

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. “Triumph”
• 2. “Mama Told Me”
• 3. “Mirrors” (feat. Bun B)
• 4. “Pretty Girls” (feat. Gucci Mane & Weensey Of Backyard Band)
• 5. “World Tour” (feat. Jazmine Sullivan)
• 6. “Let It Loose” (feat. Pharrell)
• 7. “90210″
• 8. “Shades” (feat. Chrisette Michele)
• 9. “Chillin” (feat. Lady Gaga)
• 10. “TV In The Radio” (feat. K’naan)
• 11. “Contemplate”
• 12. “Diary” (feat. Marsha Ambrosius)
• 13. “Beautiful Bliss” (feat. Melanie Fiona & J. Cole)
• 14. “Prescription”

Here are the tour dates:

• 11/07: Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA (1)
• 11/08: Pauley Pavillion, Los Angeles, CA (1)
• 11/12: Assembly Hall, Champaign, IL (1)
• 11/17: United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, TX (1)
• 11/19: Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, NM (1)
• 11/20: Don Haskins Center, El Paso, TX (1)
• 11/22: Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX (1)

(1) w/Jay-Z, N.E.R.D., J. Cole