Nasty C

Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo (born 11 February 1997), known professionally as Nasty C, is a South African rapper, songwriter, and record producer.

Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo was born on 11 February 1997 in Diepkloof, borough of Soweto, Johannesburg.

After the passing of his mother who was involved in a fatal car accident when he was 11 months of age, he relocated to Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal to be raised by his father, David Maviyo Ngcobo, who is a human resources manager.

His older brother Siyabonga Ngcobo influenced him to become a rapper as he learnt the basics of producing music from him at the age of nine he also has a younger brother Olwethu Ngcobo.

Ngcobo attended Strelitzia Secondary School in Lotus Park, Durban where he completed his 12th grade.

At the age of fourteen, Ngcobo released his debut mixtape One Kid, a Thousand Coffins on 14 May 2012.

He then released his debut EP L.A.M.E (Levitating Above My Enemies) on 4 April 2014.

The following year on 10 February, he released his second mixtape Price City which produced the successful single "Juice Back" that raised his prominence.

He was the youngest recipient of an award alongside Aewon Wolf and many at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, namely the Best Freshman Award.

"Juice Back" later spawned a Gemini Major-produced remix featuring singer Davido and rapper Cassper Nyovest on 20 November 2015.

After releasing three mixtapes, one being "Undisputed" and two EPs, Ngcobo released his debut album Bad Hair (2016), and Strings and Bling (2018) which was associated and supported by his first tour, The Ivyson Tour.

On 11 February 2016, Ngcobo released "Hell Naw" which was later revealed to be the lead single from his upcoming debut album.

On 23 September, Ngcobo then released his debut album, Bad Hair under Mabala Noise Entertainment.

For the album's artwork, he got his fans on Twitter to email him their portraits showing their bad hair periods, he then combined all the portraits in an artistic manner assembling his face.

Bad Hair reached number-one on the iTunes local charts and was the most streamed album in South Africa within its 24 hours.

Ngcobo released a 15-minute film featuring three songs from Bad Hair directed by Kyle Lewis.

The short-film which included tracks "Don't Do It'", "Good Girls and Snapchat Hoes" and "Phases" featuring Rowlene, was commercially featured in several countries including France, Germany, United Kingdom and United States, which was infrequent for an African video.

On 2 December 2016, Ngcobo released the extended version for Bad Hair named Bad Hair Extensions.

Bad Hair Extension featured new four songs including the lead single Allow featuring American rapper French Montana.

In winning many accolades for both 2016 and 2017, Ngcobo received his biggest nomination which was for the 2017 BET Award for Best International Act: Africa where he lost to Wizkid.

Ngcobo was ranked third on the 2016 MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs.

He was also nominated for the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.

In 2017 he was ranked again on the same event, this time at the fourth place.

On 16 February, Ngcobo signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Africa in partnership with Universal Music South Africa and a talent booking deal with UMG Live Africa.

On 1 June, during his visit to Nigeria, he signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group Nigeria, before the pre-release of his singles, "Jungle" and "King" featuring American rapper A$AP Ferg, from his second album, Strings and Bling.

In June 2018, during a press release with Premium Times, the general manager of Universal Music Group Nigeria, Ezegozie Eze said "Strings and Bling is a testament to skill, craft and passion that he brings to his game every single time, and we are thrilled to bring this excellent body of work to the market".

Strings and Bling was then released on 6 July 2018 in both digital and physical formats.

TimesLIVE named Strings and Bling one of the best hip hop albums in South Africa, and it was also included in the list of hip hop albums on Tina magazine.

The album's other singles include "SMA" featuring Rowlene, and the promotional single "Gravy".

On 20 August 2018, Ngcobo established his own record label, Tall Racks Records.

His long-term associated singer Rowlene was the first act to sign under the label, alongside himself.

Ngcobo began the Ivyson Tour on 6 October 2018, at the Melrose Arch in Johannesburg.

The tour with five consecutive shows (four in South Africa and one in Namibia) was a success with filled up attendance.

At the end of 2018 he was ranked in MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs for the third time in a row, at the third place.

As for 2019, Ngcobo was named the ambassador of the male grooming company, Axe South Africa.

At the 2019 Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards his single "SMA (Vol. 1)" featuring Rowlene was nominated for Favourite Song Of the Year.

On November 24, 2019, he took home two AFRIMA awards includes Best African Rapper/Lyricist and Best African Collaboration.

He was also ranked at the top of MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs for 2019, his fourth time in the row being ranked in that list.

In March 2020, Nasty C signed a joint venture deal with Def Jam Records, and released his United States official single after joining Def Jam, "There They Go", which gained him global recognition, he then released his third album on 28 August 2020, and his first on the label which is titled Zulu Man with Some Power (2020), in 2023 Nasty C released a mixed tape titled the Ivyson Army, he then later in July 2023 released two singles titled No More and Crazy Crazy.

Nasty C's fourth studio album I Love it Here (2023), debuted number one in South Africa.