Nasty C: The Future of South African Hip Hop

Born 19 years ago, Nasty C, whose real name is Nsikayesizwe David Ngcobo has been one of the shining acts in the South African music industry in the past few years.

To many non-South Africans, his collaboration with Davido and Cassper Nyovest late last year for “Juice Back” remix, brought him to limelight, but to an average South African music enthusiast, Nasty C has been a household name in the industry since 2013. His popularity in the industry surged after he featured alongside Tumi and Youngsta in DJ Switch’s single titled “Way it Go”.

Last year, he became the youngest ever recipient of the “Best Freshman Award” at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards for his efforts last year.

For anyone that has listened to Nasty C’s songs, such a person will attest to the fact that Nasty is undoubtedly the next big thing, not just in South Africa, but on the continent. Reports had it that he had contacts with Jay Z’s Roc Nation for a possible deal before he got signed onto Mabala Noize Label.

For someone, who only realized he could take rap seriously at age 16, towards the end of his high school year, it can be adjudged that such he is a global phenomenon in waiting. He released his first mixtape in 2013, “One kid a Thousand Coffins” which didn’t receive much attention and followed through with an EP titled L.A.M.E in 2014. However, his second single “Hell Naw” was the turning point for his career, for which he got music fans across the country take notice of his potentials. Nasty C was chanced to join South African star act, AKA on stage during a performance at a Durban Festival, an experience he relates as one of the best in his entire life, given the fact that he looks up to the rapper as his role model.

Ever since then, the 19 year old rapper hasn’t looked back. This year, Nasty C has ratified his status as the ‘future of South African Hip Hop’ with the release of his debut studio album, “Bad Hair”, which was arguably the most successful debut studio album in the South African music arena for many years. The album gained a whole lot of attention not just because it was highly anticipated given Nasty C’s efforts in the last year, but also because the rapper gave his fans the chance to get the album for FREE. He recently performed alongside American star, Future, at the MAMA Awards, where he also received two nominations for “Best Collaboration” for Juice Back remix and the “Video of the year” for the video of Anatii and Nyovest’s Jump, where he was featured.

With several singles to his name, and collaborations with Africa top hitmakers like Davido, Cassper Nyovest, Anatii, Tellaman and Emtee, the sky looks set to be the starting point for the young South African. We hope we can enjoy (t)his amazing talent for many more years to come!