Album: Nasty C – Free

Nasty C’s 2025 album Free boldly asserts growth and experimentation, demonstrating an artist willing to push past hip-hop’s conventional limits. This album diverges from the more grounded, personal storytelling of his previous project I Love It Here, instead embracing versatility and creative risk, encapsulating the freedom implied by its title. Across 16 tracks, Nasty C presents a diverse range of sounds, combining high-energy hits, melodic songs, and introspective pieces that showcase his skill as a lyricist and his openness to experimenting with different audio styles.

South African rapper Nasty C recently appeared on 002 (Freestyle).

The band Free is musically eclectic. His core hip-hop sound is blended with influences from R&B, house, rock, pop, and also Zulu maskandi, resulting in an eclectic sonic palette that feels both globally diverse and deeply rooted in South African culture. The album’s diversity prevents monotony, shifting smoothly between club-ready songs and soulful, introspective tracks. The production is multi-layered and dynamic, including both seasoned collaborators and new voices which contribute depth to the project.

Free is centered around self-emancipation, perseverance, and ethnic self-esteem. Songs like FTW and Switch showcase his bold, assertive attitude, solidifying his stance against being confined by assumptions. Songs like Head Up and Other Plans reveal a more vulnerable and introspective side to his persona, skillfully blending confidence with genuineness. Collaborations with artists such as Blxckie, Tellaman, and Tshego showcase camaraderie and shared growth within the South African music scene, further grounding the project in community while still striving for global recognition.

Album Nasty C – Free