Durban-born rapper, songwriter, and producer Nasty C has this year done a bold claim for artistic independence. Among the groundbreaking moves he did was unveil his own label, Tall Racks. In partnership with Platoon, this imprint of innovation also additionally offers indie artists music distribution services at a fair price.
Related: Watch: Nasty C Joins 14 Other International Acts for Official Tokyo Olympics Theme Song
Nasty C is a big believer in artists defying the odds, borders and the belief that they should own their vision and their voice. That’s what this new era he is in speaks to with all his innovations. Further cementing him as a leader of the revolution, the Durban-native on September 12th dropped his 5th studio album. Titled ‘FREE’, his brave and genre exploring new body of work spanned 16-tracks, with features from Blxckie, DJ Speedsta, Tellaman, Tshgeo, and Usimamane.
The former Def Jam (Universal Music Group) signee’s album taps into themes of personal growth, truth, and self-expression. While under UMG, he delivered three stellar albums and a mixtape.
With ‘FREE’, Nasty C redefines his music through a newfound freedom of expression, delivering a project that is as bold, vulnerable, and globally relevant as ever.
As part the movement happening right now,” the “King” crooner is set to headline his Ivyson Tour, named after his mother. Speaking about his mother, while appearing on The Ebro Show on Apple Music, was asked if he would ever change his name he would opt to use Ivyson he feels represents him better. He added that if he were to do so, he would do it after his career has reached a certain level.
Nasty C is no stranger to expressing his adoration for his mother. Her name was Veliswa Ivy Ngcobo. The rapper lost her to a car accident when he was just 11 months old. He expressed how much he misses her through his art. In 2017, he released a dedication to her in a song titled “UOK”). In 2017, he premiered a short film titled Veliswa at a private viewing, which was also named in her honor. He has spoken about his belief that she guides him spiritually as a “good ancestor”. Nasty C also talks of her as his spiritual “good ancestor” who guides him. His latest gesture is that he has named his tour after her; by combining her middle name (Ivy) with “son” to form Ivyson.
Organized by Billboard Africa, TRACE Music South Africa, Hype Magazine and TOORLY, the fan driven tour is going to hit 11 countries and 17 cities, making it the most expansive edition of the Ivyson Tour to date. Among the cities the South African rap sensation Nasty C is going to traverse and bring his unmatched energy, hits, and Ivyson legacy across Africa is going to be Kampala, Abuja to Accra, Durban to East London, Lagos to Pretoria, and beyond.
What makes this Ivyson Tour even more monumental is that it has been a fan driven. In partnership with TOORLY, Nasty C gave the power to the fans to unlock their city as a tour stop. Supporters were to preorder their tickets, rally their friends, and push their city to hit its ticket goal. Once unlocked, their city officially becomes part of the historic tour lineup.
On the Ugandan leg of the Ivyson Tour, Talent Africa, AUMEX, NRG Radio Uganda will be onboard as partners. The show will be happening later this year in early November.
With nearly 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and nearly 5M followers on IG, the South African hip-hop export that is Nasty C has collaborated with big names like T.I., A$AP Ferg, and Ari Lennox, winning accolades including several South African Music Awards (SAMAs)and BET Hip Hop Award nods. This has etched his name on the hearts of many music lovers. His versatility has made him a powerhouse and got him to perform on multiple global stages.