At 21, Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, also known as Nasty C has been making waves in the Hip Hop industry, and it’s just the beginning. He chats to us about what success means to him and his tips to young people
He’s a multiple award-winning, hitmaker, and producer, brand ambassador who started rapping at the age of nine, having been influenced by his older brother who was a producer at the time. Here’s how the conversation went down:
What inspires the songs that you make?
The conscious ones that I write talk about my real life experiences and what I go through. I also make turn-up songs for my listeners to enjoy, and although they also talk about my life I add a bit of twist to them.
How have you grown as an artist and what is different about Strings and Blings from your previous album?
Because I have grown as a person, my lyrical content has grown as well. I am now not afraid to open up about the good and bad things I have been through, and couldn’t care about being judged for it. I feel when you get to that point where you are not afraid to be open and vulnerable that’s when you have grown as an artist. I have also been listening to a lot of different types of music to broaden my scale of how I make my music as well.
Who would you like to work with one day?
I would love to work with many artists, such as Future, Young Thug, Rihanna, Adele and Kendrick Lamar.
How do you make collaborations possible with international artists?
All it takes is for one person to reach out and be genuine in your approach. For me it was effortless working with ASAP for the single, King, the only challenge now is making the video because of our busy schedules; unlike a song where he can work from wherever he is and send it.
What are some of the challenges you have experienced as an artist?
Being able to trust people is quite a challenge for me because there are a lot of things that happen in the entertainment industry, which need you to have a really thick skin. But everything else has been great for me so far.
For a person wanting to break in and succeed in whatever industry they love but keep stumbling along the way, what would your advice be, from your experience?
When you are up and coming, it’s not a challenge but a training, which might take longer for you to get to the end goal but it’s worth it. Every time you better yourself you take a knock somehow but that doesn’t mean you aren’t heading anywhere. I feel that if you blow up instantly you often fade away just as quick because you don’t have a thick skin, a backbone or the ability to notice the difference between the real deal and shady things. Your starting phase is preparation to help you discover who you are and what you should not settle for.
Would you say that being successful, especially in the entertainment industry is more challenging than when you are starting out?
Definitely, because of the pressure to remain successful, you also have to maintain a certain mood around people because you always have to be on top of your game no matter what you are going through.
How would you define success and what are your success tips?
Success means having a voice because everyone wants to be heard. And I feel I have achieved that. My advice to you is that you shouldn’t let anyone else’s definition of success blur your own version of success. The dreams you had as a kid were pure but things often shift when you get older and get influenced by other factors. I am doing good because I know my version of success and I don’t think anyone else can change it. Stay true by what truly makes you happy and what you truly want. At the end of the day, we are all human and no one has more power over the next person. So if you can control your mind and what goes into it, then you have the power to make your dreams come true.
Apart from making music, what keeps you busy?
I draw a lot. I design character, which are actually on the album sleeve.
What will keep you busy for the rest of the year?
I will commence my tour from 28 July 2018 in Kenya and across different countries. There will also be music videos from the album. Everything else is on my wishlist and will be confirmed later.
Do you have specific favourite songs from your album?
SMA and Legendary. Because SMA is a personal story, it was like a dear diary. I feel like I took a lot of weight off my shoulders when I recorded that song and the reception was amazing. Legendary mainly because of the message behind the song.
Do you believe in vision boards?
Yes, I do. My wall and phone has a vision board that has things I have already ticked off. Some of the things that I still want to achieve I project in my music, so some of my songs are vision boards. Some of my biggest achievements are the music I make, the house I live in and the car that I drive. I always envisioned my first car to be a Mercedes Benz, which was too big a dream considering where I come from, but because I visualised and believed that’s the first car I owned. Somehow, faith in what you desire propels the Universe to bring it to you.
What is your relationship with failure and what lessons have you learned from it?
Failure is always temporary, it just sets you back a little bit so you can work harder and better, with a clearer mind and more passion, so you can make it in your perfect timing. I didn’t pass my matric that well, but I didn’t take it to heart, I went back to upgrade and I did well.
What’s your favourite traveling destination and why?
Germany, because people there are-spirited.
Apart from making music, what long term goals would you like to tick off?
I’d like one of my inventions to be a game-changing one and I am excited about. I can’t share what they are now, but I can’t wait for things to be up and running!
How does one create longevity in the music industry, especially hip hop?
Avoid writing according to trends because it means your music will not be timeless. If you make an update on what goes on in your life and what’s around you then everyone can relate to your music.
Nasty C’s favourites:
Dish:
Dumpling
Colour:
Black
Local artist
One that I am really proud of is Shekinah because of how she carries herself, she is kind to everyone and knows to walk away from drama and her music is true to her.
African country?
Namibia, it’s a beautiful country to be in.
Book?
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Stream his album on:
Connect with Nasty C on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nastyczzle/
Instagram: @nasty_csa
Twitter: @Nasty_CSA
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