Every generation births a star that will be the voice for many, and Nsikayesizwe David Ngcobo, better known as Nasty C, is exactly that. Originating from Durban, the multi-award winning, platinum selling South African hip-hop musician has been dubbed the “coolest kid in Africa.” He takes his role seriously, saying, “I never chase the dream—I design it.”

First making his mark through a series of mixtapes, the rapper had one of his first breakout moments with the 2015 single, “Juice Black”, which led to a remix with Afrobeats superstar Davido and fellow South African rapper Cassper Nyovest. 

He later won a South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Freshman in 2015, and by the time he released his debut album, 2016’s Bad Hair (and its deluxe edition, Bad Hair Extensions) Nasty C had firmly established himself as one of South Africa’s leading voices in hip-hop, captivating fans with his unique blend of smooth flow and hard-hitting lyrics. His record-breaking sophomore album, 2018’s Strings and Bling, has been RISA certified double-platinum with over 100 million streams. The album spawned four multiplatinum singles: “King”, “Jungle”,“Strings And Bling” and “SMA”. 

Nasty C’s international recognition led to his 2020 signing to Def Jam US and the release of his third album, Zulu Man With Some Power. The album included collaborations with T.I, Ari Lennox, Lil Gotit and Lil Keed. He continued to make global waves in 2022, with a partnership with Scotch whiskey brand Johnny Walker, and an innovative collaboration with global best-selling video game, Call of Duty. 

With his ongoing Ivyson tour series, Ivyson Army Tour Mixtape (2022), subsequent album I Love It Here (2023), and over 15 career accolades, Nasty C reflects the rich hip-hop landscape on the African continent and continues to navigate the industry as a pioneer and game changer.