{"id":9371,"date":"2025-09-14T09:49:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T07:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=9371"},"modified":"2025-09-14T09:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T07:49:04","slug":"nasty-c-unpacks-the-inspiration-behind-every-track-on-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/nasty-c-unpacks-the-inspiration-behind-every-track-on-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Nasty C Unpacks the Inspiration Behind Every Track on ‘Free’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nasty C has been a prominent figure in South African hip-hop for a decade, and he emphasizes that with the release of his new fifth album, Free, he has found a greater sense of peace in his artistic journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis album was inspired by feeling free to be creative and do all sorts of different new stuff, and experience some new things,\u201d the artist, who hails from Durban, explains during an interview with Apple Music. \u201cThat\u2019s pretty much what it was, and exploring different sounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

His previous album, 2023\u2019s I Love It Here, highlighted the joys of fatherhood and the comfort of lasting love, all set against the upbeat trap-influenced styles he is known for. With Free, Nasty C reflects on the fluidity of self-direction, embracing the freedom to navigate his path, regardless of the destination. Throughout the album’s 16 tracks, he showcases his versatility, oscillating between the energetic vibe of the trippy \u201cShmokin\u201d and the introspective nature of \u201cThat\u2019s Whassup,\u201d which was influenced by his interactions with younger family members.<\/p>\n

Staying true to his style, the artist incorporates house, rock, R&B, and even elements of maskandi into his broad take on hip-hop. \u201cNo two songs are the same, and some songs lean more towards the pop side of things,\u201d he notes. \u201cSome even touch on maskandi a little bit, which is like a Zulu genre. It\u2019s a South African genre, but it\u2019s very, very heavy in the Zulu culture; that was pretty exciting to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the following sections, Nasty C provides insights into each track on Free.<\/p>\n

\u201cIntro\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Intro\u2019 is one of those where the beat just inspires everything I say on the song, and you just ride the energy of the beat. We were in the studio, making music with some cool, creative people; talented artists.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeftie (Dlala Ngcobo)\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cKind of the same thing as \u2018Intro\u2019\u2014I just wanted something very high-energy, playful, melodic. Not too crazy on the lyrics and punchlines, just a vibe. It was produced by Cxdy, a producer I like working with from the States. He\u2019s sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShmokin\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded this one at my house in Joburg. Same vibey energy as the first two songs, but the concept developed into feeling like I\u2019m back outside\u2014smoking, drinking, vibing, mosh pits\u2014all that energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSwitch\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Switch\u2019 is about staying loyal to your friends and not switching because of outside opinions. Friendship shouldn\u2019t be dictated by what people think you should do or who you should hang with. It\u2019s about being true to yourself and your people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHead Up\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cProduced by RJ Banks. I brought my live band into the studio to add live elements. It\u2019s about staying positive, keeping your eyes on the prize, and focusing on the mission no matter what people say. People will always have opinions, but if you follow your heart, they\u2019ll understand in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoft\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cStraightforward. It\u2019s about working hard just to live soft: grinding, hustling, surviving. I made the beat for this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Whassup\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA laid-back, interlude-type song. It\u2019s me reflecting on my influence on my younger siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. They see my lifestyle as fascinating and cool, and every time I go back home in Durban, that realization kicks in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c10 Shooters\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMashBeatz made the beat. It was one of those studio days where you\u2019re vibing, creating, and it just flows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIce\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI was in the studio with Kling from Saak Beats. We ran through beats, laid down ideas, and this one stood out. The beat is fire, but the sample just takes it to another level.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPsychic\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOne I made myself. I was freestyling while producing the beat, and by the time the beat was done, I already had the concept. Just vibing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMSP\u201d (feat. DJ Speedsta)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cProduced by Spaced Time. I was experimenting and having fun. The title comes from a local slang term, \u2018ma se poes,\u2019 which is big in the coloured community. In the first verse, I talk about guys hating and giving weird vibes. The second half touches on the same energy from females.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSelfish\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s for my girlfriend, reaffirming my love for her. It\u2019s about wanting the relationship to last forever, keeping my intentions pure like when we started. The album begins with vibes but here it settles down into something more intimate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Timing\u201d (feat. Tellaman)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout making it big with your friends and sticking together. Losing friends along the way makes me appreciate the ones who stayed even more. It feels good to succeed with your people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvidence\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA song about faith\u2014believing in God and asking the big questions: Is heaven real? Is it worth sacrificing so much for something you can\u2019t see? No one\u2019s ever come back with proof, so it\u2019s about wrestling with doubt while still believing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOther Plans (Interlude)\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout being in that awkward space with someone you\u2019re dating\u2014unsure if it\u2019s a break, a breakup, or just a phase. I reflect on the good times and where things might have gone wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot Tonight\u201d (feat. Tshego)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe feature is my brother Tshego, a dope South African artist I\u2019ve known for close to 10 years. He\u2019s been on a dance wave, and his voice is crazy. Produced by Saak Beats, the same team behind \u2018Ice.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Free is an album that showcases Nasty C’s willingness to explore beyond his usual style\u2014whether incorporating maskandi elements, collaborating with familiar artists, or crafting intimate tracks about romance. It represents a sense of liberty that encompasses artistic, personal, and spiritual dimensions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n