MBBA Artist Of The Week: 23 Year Old South African Rapper, Nasty C

Born on 11 February 1997, Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, also known professionally as Nasty C; is a South African rapper, songwriter and record producer.

Nasty C was born on in Diepkloof, a borough of Soweto, Johannesburg. After the passing of his mother who was involved in a fatal car crash while he was 11 months; he relocated to Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal to be raised by his father, David Maviyo Ngcobo; who is a human resources manager.  His older brother, Siyabonga Ngcobo, influenced him to rap as he learnt the basics of producing music from him while he was nine.

Nasty C was the youngest recipient of an award at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, namely the Best Freshman Award.

Nasty C

After releasing two mixtapes and two EP, Ngcobo released his critically acclaimed debut album Bad Hair (2016); and Strings and Bling (2018) which was associated and supported by his first tour, The Ivyson Tour. He was the youngest recipient of an award at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards; namely the Best Freshman Award.

In March 2020, Ngcobo signed a joint venture deal with Def Jam Records and released his third album on August 28th 2020; and his first on the label titled Zulu Man with Some Power.

In March 2020, Billboard reported that Nasty C signed a joint venture deal with Def Jam Records; with the release of single “There They Go” as his debut under the label.

In April 2020, the star released the visual EP Lost Files, with the songs presented in performance clips on YouTube. He explained the EP’s concept stating; “They’re songs that didn’t make it onto certain projects, songs that ended up as just ideas”. On 14 May, the EP was uploaded on Apple Music.

Netflix

On 20 May 2020, the young rapper  made his acting debut with a cameo role in the six-part Netflix African original young adult series Blood & Water, playing the role of music producer KB. On 28 May 2020, Nasty C signed with Universal Music Group flagship Def Jam Africa. Nasty C teamed up with American rapper T.I. for the protest song “They Don’t”. Proceeds from the song benefit the non-profit organizations Until Freedom and Solidarity Fund; with lyrics referencing the death of George Floyd. On 25 June, he released a collaborative mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid, titled Zulu.

Zulu Man With Some Power is his latest album and is currently making waves. Nasty C says he wants the world to know that there is more to Africa Than Afrobeats.