Fledging from the East coast of South Africa is a name that holds prominence when you speak it. Durban’s very own Nasty C has opened his wings from being a traditional Gqom producer to honing the mic and now releasing his first independent body of work titled Free.
“I feel like I’ve changed so much as a person, as an artist. I feel free to create whatever I want, to be whoever I want. I feel boundless, the possibilities are endless to where I can take this thing.”
Free embodies an artist ready to take his next step into stardom. After crossing continents successfully, he’s exploring a new sound which it set to broaden his fans horizons.
Ahead of the release, we spoke to the rapper about the project, independent label Tall Racks, Durban inspirations and more.
Your new album Free is out! What can fans expect from your latest project?
“A lot of good music. This is a fresh sound from me. I wouldn’t say it’s nothing like what they’ve heard before, but there’s definitely some surprises on there.”
How long was the process of creating the album and did you travel to different locations to complete the project?
“Most of the songs on the album I made at my home studio. Some of the songs I made by travelling and making music with friends. It took me a while to put the project together. Some of the songs I already had in the bag and then when I decided that I was working on a project, I started to record the tracks that made it make sense, the songs that make it a project.”
Can you dive into the meaning behind the album?
“It’s just based off how I’m feeling right now. I feel like I’ve changed so much as a person and as an artist. I feel free to create whatever I want and to be whoever I want. The feeling is boundless, the possibilities are endless to where I can take this thing. The fact that I’m independent now after so many years of being signed. The type of knowledge I’ve acquired over the years, as a person growing up and fatherhood.”
This will be your first album released by your own record label Tall Racks. How does that feel, and can you explain the meaning of Tall Racks?
“It feels great. Tall Racks is just about money! When I decided to name the company that it was just a manifestation thing.”
What would you say is your personal favourite from the album?
“It changes all the time! At the moment, it’s “Head Up”. It’s one of those songs that gets me up. Every time I’m feeling down, exhausted or that this music won’t work out, it lifts me.”
If you had to introduce a new listener to Nasty C, which of your tracks would you play first?
“That’s a good question! I would play “Eazy”. It’s been out for a couple years now, but it really shows my range and how far I can take music. It’s very melodic, I hit some crazy high notes which rappers don’t really hit! I also show them my rapping side on the second verse.”
How did you get the name Nasty C?
“I’m not going to lie to you bro, I randomised a bunch of letters that are in my names. I went through a couple names and that was just the one I had at the time. Before I could change it, I started getting some buzz and it was too late!”
When did you know Nasty C was becoming a household name around the world?
“When I did my first couple shows out the country! I did a few shows in Nigeria, some in Zimbabwe and Zambia. That was a crazy experience.”
You were born in Durban, South Africa. Were there any artists from your city who inspired you to take on music?
“I would say so. It wasn’t even on a Hip-Hop thing. A lot of people that were making music and famous for it from my city were Gqom DJ’s. Gqom is like a genre that is very heavy in Durban. A lot of Gqom producers inspired me to make music. I started off as a Gqom producer, started making beats for Gqom artists and then I found rap and started rapping.”
When you found rap, which artist were on rotation?
“A lot of T.I., Lil’ Wayne, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes. I then had a crazy Slaughterhouse phase where I was just listening to a lot of Eminem.”
What was that feeling like going full circle and working with T.I.?
“It’s amazing. It’s one of those moments that validates chasing your dreams, believing that you can be anything and achieve anything. It makes me feel good about believing in myself when everybody didn’t.”
What has been Nasty C’s personal career highlight so far?
“Definitely meeting and working with T.I. I guess the standout would be when I did my Zulu Man with Some Power album launch in Atlanta, and T.I. let me use his trap house museum for the launch. That was a crazy highlight.”
What are three goals you want to achieve before the year closes?
“I want to drop a fire merch line that’s up to the standard and quality I want, I haven’t done that before. I have an African tour which I want to be a success. As far as performances go, I’m sharp right now. My final goal is for the album to succeed!
What advice can you give the next generation of talent coming through in music?
“I would tell them to be themselves. Make the type of music that they like to listen to. Don’t get discouraged by how long it takes to get a break because you’re being true to yourself. It’s easy to hop on a train and get a little buzz, but those people are not invested in your story, they’re not your core fans. Every artist needs their core fans. Just don’t get discouraged about people blowing up before you and stick to your plan.”
Nasty C’s latest album ‘Free’ is out now and available to stream on all digital platforms.