Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo[1] (born 11 February 1997), known professionally asNasty C, is aSouth African rapper, songwriter, and record producer.[2]
After releasing three mixtapes and twoEPs, Ngcobo released his debut albumBad Hair (2016), andStrings and Bling (2018), which was associated and supported by his first tour, The Ivyson Tour.[3][4][5] In March 2020, he signed a joint venture deal withDef Jam Records. After the deal, he released hisUnited States official single after joining Def Jam "There They Go" which gained him global recognition. In August 2020, he released his third studio album,Zulu Man with Some Power, the first under his new label. In September 2022, Nasty C released a mixed tape titled theIvyson Army.[6] He released two singles back-to-back,No More[7] in June 2023, andCrazy Crazy[8] in July 2023.[9]
Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo was born on 11 February 1997 inDiepkloof, a borough ofSoweto, Johannesburg.[12] After the death of his mother who was involved in a car accident when he was 11 months old,[13] he relocated toDurban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, to be raised by his father, David Maviyo Ngcobo, who is ahuman resources manager.[14] His older brother Siyabonga Ngcobo influenced him to become a rapper as David learnt the basics of producing music from him at the age of nine. David also has a younger brother Olwethu Ngcobo. David attended Strelitzia Secondary School inLotus Park, Durban, where he completed 12th grade.[15]
At the age of fourteen, Ngcobo released his debutmixtapeOne Kid, a Thousand Coffins on 14 May 2012.[16] He then released his debutEPL.A.M.E (Levitating Above My Enemies) on 4 April 2014.[17] The following year, 2015, on 10 February, he released his second mixtapePrice City, which produced the successful single "Juice Back" that raised his prominence.[18] "Juice Back" later spawned aGemini Major-produced remix featuring singerDavido and rapperCassper Nyovest on 30 November 2015.[19]
On 11 February 2016, Ngcobo released "Hell Naw" which was later revealed to be the lead single from his upcoming debut album.[20] On 23 September, Ngcobo then released his debut album,Bad Hair under Mabala Noise Entertainment.[21] For the album'sartwork, he got his fans onTwitter to email him their portraits showing their bad hair periods, he then combined all the portraits in an artistic manner assembling his face.[22]Bad Hair reached number-one on theiTunes local charts and was the most streamed album in South Africa within its 24 hours.[23] Ngcobo released a 15-minute film featuring three songs fromBad Hair directed by Kyle Lewis.[24] The short-film which included tracks "Don't Do It'", "Good Girls and Snapchat Hoes" and "Phases" featuring Rowlene, was commercially featured in several countries including France, Germany, United Kingdom and United States, which was infrequent for an African video.[25]
On 16 February, Ngcobo signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Africa[31] in partnership with Universal Music South Africa and a talent booking deal with UMG Live Africa.[32] On 1 June, during his visit toNigeria, he signed a distribution deal withUniversal Music Group Nigeria,[33] before the pre-release of his singles, "Jungle" and "King" featuring American rapperA$AP Ferg, from his second album,Strings and Bling.[34] In June 2018, during a press release withPremium Times,[33] the general manager ofUniversal Music Group Nigeria, Ezegozie Eze said "Strings and Bling is a testament to skill, craft and passion that he brings to his game every single time, and we are thrilled to bring this excellent body of work to the market".Strings and Bling was then released on 6 July 2018 in both digital and physical formats.[35][36]TimesLIVE namedStrings and Bling one of the best hip hop albums in South Africa, and it was also included in the list of hip hop albums onTina magazine.[37][38] The album's other singles include "SMA" featuring Rowlene, and the promotional single "Gravy".[39]
On 20 August 2018, Ngcobo established his own record label, Tall Racks Records.[40] His long-term associated singer Rowlene was the first act to sign under the label, alongside himself. On 6 October 2018, Ngcobo began the Ivyson Tour in Durban, South Africa.[41] The tour with five consecutive shows (four in South Africa and one in Namibia) was a success with filled up attendance.[42] At the end of 2018 he was ranked in MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs for the third time in a row, at the third place.[43]
As for 2019, Ngcobo was named the ambassador of the male grooming company,Axe South Africa.[44] At the 2019 Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards his single "SMA (Vol. 1)" featuring Rowlene was nominated for Favourite Song Of the Year.[45] On November 24, 2019, he took home twoAFRIMA awards includes Best African Rapper/Lyricist and Best African Collaboration.[46] He was also ranked at the top of MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs for 2019, his fourth time in the row being ranked in that list.[47]
2019–2021: Def Jam, Def Jam Africa andZulu Man with Some Power
Ngcobo made the third installment of his concert tour, The Ivyson Tour, which kicked-off on 20 September 2019, inCape Town,South Africa.[48][49] On 27 September 2019, he released "God Flow" featuring rapper crownedYung, the lead single of his then-upcoming third studio album,Zulu Man with Some Power. It was reported that there were international artists who would appear on the album.[50][51]
In March 2020,Billboard reported that Nasty C signed a joint venture deal withDef Jam Records, with the release of single "There They Go" as his debut under the label.[52]
In April 2020, Nasty C released the visual EPLost 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 onApple Music.[53]
On 20 May 2020, Nasty C made his acting debut with a cameo role in the six-partNetflix African original young adult seriesBlood & Water, playing the role of Zhero.[54] On 28 May 2020, Nasty C signed withUniversal Music Group flagshipDef Jam Africa.[55] On 5 June, 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 themurder of George Floyd.[56] On 25 June, he released a collaborative mixtape withDJ Whoo Kid, titledZulu.
After several postponements, on 6 August 2020, Nasty C took to his social media and announced that his much anticipated albumZulu Man with Some Power would be released within the month of August. He released the track list consisting of 20 songs featuring international and South African artists, includingLil Keed,Ari Lennox,Lil Gotit,T.I,Tellaman and Rowlene. The album was released 28 August 2020.[57][58] In November 2020, Nasty C won Best Male Rap Act award at African Muzik Magazine Awards 2020 ceremony.[59] In December 2020, he was ranked third in the MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs list, his fifth time in a row to appear on that list.[60]
In June 2021, he released a single titled "Best I Ever Had".[61][62] At the 6th ceremony ofAll Africa Music Awards, he received three nominations for Songwriter of the Year, Best Male Artist in Southern Africa and Best African Rapper/Lyricist.[63] He was ranked third again in the 2021 MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs list, his sixth time in a row on that list.[64]
2022–present:I Love it Here, Ivyson Army Tour, African Throne World Tour,Thick & Thin
In May 2022, he embarked on the Ivyson Army Tour, which started on May 7 (Bloemfontein); the tour included 5 dates that ran from May 7 until June 4, 2022.[65]
In May 2023, Nasty C and Cassper Nyovest announced African Throne World Tour, which includes 12 dates.[68] It ran from August 18, Arusha, Tanzania until October 28, Johannesburg, South Africa.
In early August 2023, Nasty C announced his fourth studio album,I Love It Here, released on September 15, 2023.[69][70] The album debuted number 1 in South Africa.[71]
Nasty C and Cassper, announced their upcoming collaborative album,Thick & Thin, on L-Tido's podcast in early December 2023, with a release date to be announced.[72] They also revealed that are planning second leg of African Throne World Tour.[72]
In July 2024, Nasty C announced his upcoming I Love It Here Tour, to commence on October 18 in Paris.[73]
