South African rapper and songwriter Nasty C sparked conversations online Wednesday when he said he could “put up a fight”, musically with any rapper in Africa and the world.
In excerpts from a podcast available online, the 27-year-old explained that although he is not “the best in the world,” he could compete with other rappers on the continent and across the globe.
He, however, paid tribute to top artistes including American rappers J.Cole, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, whom he considered strong forces in the industry.
“I am not saying I am the best rapper in Africa but I don’t see anyone who can really make me go…let me take this L…You can write I can write. I can go toe-to-toe with anyone. This is not only in South Africa, this is also in the world,” the Born To Win crooner stated.
Asked who he sees as competition in the game, he mentioned J.Cole and Jay Z, saying their craft and style are “colorful and multi-layered.”
“Because of where I am right now and with the way I write, I have to say J. Cole and I have to say Jay Z. Those two guys, the way they write is sane. It’s like it’s never been so direct but at the same time, so colorful and multi-layered.
According to the Said composer, these artistes perform so well that ordinary people understand and can relate to the lyrics in their songs.
“As a basic person who is not like a hip-hop head, you understand what these guys are saying, you feel it and you can relate,” Nasty C added.
“I don’t want to be that guy who acts like he is the best in the world. But I will say this though… if you put me in a room with anyone of these people (referring to J.Cole and Jay Z and others)…and you say to me to make a song — even if it’s like you make a song, I make a song — we are not going to come out of the room like this guy’s song is way better, that’s not going to be the case. I’m gonna put up a fight. I don’t care what kind of song we are making. If we’re baring out, I can bar out and if we making a melodic song, I got you. It‘s easy if you understand,” he stated.
Nasty C, born Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, dropped the Hip-Hop album titled I Love It Here in September this year. The 19-track project has songs including Release Me, Endless, Crazy Crazy, Broken Marriages, No More, and I Love You, among others.