JOHANNESBURG — When the crowd at Drama, a club in Braamfontein, began chanting “dlala Ngcobo,” Nasty C did not expect it to follow him beyond the night. Yet the chant now opens “Leftie,” one of the standout tracks from his new album Free, a project that captures both his independence and maturity.
The 28-year-old rapper, born Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, has become one of South Africa’s most recognisable hip-hop voices. With three major albums behind him, he has built a career that stretches beyond the continent. But Free marks a turning point.
“This album is about liberation,” he told OkayAfrica in Johannesburg. “I left Universal Music Group, and now I feel I can make the music exactly how I want. No restrictions.”
Fatherhood and focus
Tall Racks Records
Much of his recent life has been shaped by becoming a father. Social media shows him balancing late nights in the studio with quieter family moments. “Fatherhood has been really easy for me,” he said. “I’ve never been the type to be out a lot. I’d rather compromise on work; I can catch up later. With fatherhood, you want to be on top of it.”
That sense of discipline runs through his music. Songs like “Head Up” urge resilience, while “Selfish” carries an emotional weight he worked on for months. “I think my purpose is to make you feel protected,” he explained.
A stage built for freedom
His Ivyson Tour, held in Johannesburg last December, showed how far he has grown. Backed by a full band for the first time, Nasty C blended raw energy with new textures. “I’ve always been sceptical about the band thing,” he admitted. “I felt like it took away from the thumpers. But after working it out in the lab with the boys, I was happy.”
The tour featured a bold line-up — K.Keed, Lucasraps, Maglera Doe Boy and more — signalling his intent to keep South African hip-hop vibrant.
Global ambitions, grounded roots
For years, Nasty C chased success in the United States. Now, he is shifting focus. “I was very experimental with my branding and my music. Some things didn’t work out the way I wanted, but thank God they weren’t my demise. I gained a lot from those experiences.”
Instead, he is looking at Europe and Africa. His collaborations already span the continent, from Davido and Tiwa Savage to Runtown and Major Lazer. His 2024 project with Lekaa Beats mixed amapiano, Afrobeats, kwaito and rap — proof of his versatility.
Free runs across 16 tracks, with space for playfulness and introspection. “Shmoking” brags and bounces, while “Switch” salutes friendship. He even produced some tracks himself, including “Psychic” and
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