Exploring South African Music: Nasty C’s Rise in Rap and the Origins and Leading Artists of Amapiano

| December 21, 2023 | Popular people, South Africa | No Comments

Nsikayesizwe David Ngcobo, born on February 11, 1997, is widely recognized by his stage name Nasty C. He is a prominent South African rapper, songwriter, and record producer. One of his notable contributions is the single “Way It Go” by DJ Switch, featuring Tumi and Youngsta. Nasty C gained significant acclaim for the remix of his single “Juice Back,” featuring Davido and Cassper Nyovest. Notably, he achieved the distinction of being the youngest recipient of an award at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, where he received the Best Freshman Award.

Originally from Durban in the Kwazulu-Natal Province, Nasty C developed an early interest in rap, commencing his journey at the age of nine. His older brother, a producer at the time, influenced his initial steps into the world of music. Over time, Nasty C mastered music production, combining his vocals with the beats he created. His talent led him to sign with the Durban-based artist management company, Free World Music.

NameNasty C
Net Worth $3million
OccupationRapper/Songwriter
Height 1.57m
Age26 years old

Nasty C’s origins trace back to Diepkloof, a small town in Soweto, Johannesburg. However, following the untimely death of his mother when he was just 11 months old, he had to relocate. Raised by his father, David Maviyo Ngcobo, a human resources manager, Nasty C spent the formative years of his childhood in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

In Durban, he grew up with his older brother, Siyabonga Ngcobo, who played a pivotal role in shaping Nasty C’s music career. Siyabonga not only introduced him to the art of rapping but also taught him music production when Nasty C was a mere nine years old.

Despite his passion for music, Nasty C prioritized his education. He attended Strelitza Secondary School in Lotus Park, Durban, and successfully graduated high school. Throughout his academic journey, he excelled in both music and studies, maintaining a balance that eventually led him to graduate from the 12th grade. His journey into the world of rap began at the early age of nine, as he participated in various school shows and competitions.

NASTY C’S ALBUMS

Nasty C, since his debut, has released three albums, of which some have been ranked tops. His recently released album is Zulu Man With Some Power.

Bad Hair (2016)

This is his debut studio album/EP, released officially on the 2nd of December 2016. The album featured four songs, including his lead song “Allow”, which saw him join forces with American rapper French Montanna. The album received a lot of nominations at the BET awards in 2017.

Strings and Blings (2018)

This was his second project released on the 6th of June 2018. Nasty C had earlier pre-released two singles which later featured on the album. The album had “Jungle” and “King”, which featured American rapper ASAP Ferg. The album also featured the highly acclaimed “Send Me Away” (SMA), which saw him team up with Rowlene.

Zulu Man With Some Power (2020)

This is his soon to be released album which has got all his music fans talking and anticipating. He released “God Flow”, the lead single in the album featuring Crowned Yung, on 20th September 2019 and has assured fans that he is working on the finishing touches and will be releasing it for 2020.

NASTY C’S SONGS

Nasty C, since his debut, has released more than 50 songs and has Two studio albums (with a third in view). Here are his best songs, in no particular order;

  1. Nasty C- SMA Featuring Rowlene
  2. Nasty C- Said Featuring Runtown
  3. Nasty C- Whipped
  4. Nasty C- King
  5. Nasty C- Hell Naw
  6. Nasty C- No Respect
  7. Nasty C- God Flow
  8. Nasty C- Wuz Dat
  9. Nasty C- Uok
  10. Nasty C- Casanova

NASTY C’S GIRLFRIEND

Nasty C is in a relationship. He has been dating his girlfriend named Sammie Heavens since 9th grade and is not shy to show her off on social media now and then.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Nasty C, since his debut, has gotten various awards and recognition, among these are;

  1. Best Freshman Award at the South African Hip Hop awards in 2015
  2. Best New artists at the 16th Metro FM Music Awards in 2017
  3. Best Hip Hop Album at the 16th Metro FM Music Awards in 2017
  4. Song of the Year at the 16th Metro FM Music Awards in 2017.

He has also gotten himself various endorsements with top brands in South Africa. An example of this is his ambassadorial role with AXE men SA.

Amapiano Origins and early Amapiano Artists

Amapiano is a modern and unique genre of house music that originated in South Africa in the early 2010s. The term “amapiano” can be loosely translated to mean “the pianos” in Zulu. This genre is distinctive for its fusion of various musical elements, including deep house, jazz, kwaito, and afrobeat. Amapiano is characterized by continuous piano melodies, deep basslines, a hint of jazz influences, and rhythmic patterns inspired by Zulu music. These features collectively contribute to setting the Amapiano sound apart from other genres within the African pop music landscape.

Amapiano stands out further from other house music genres by its slower tempo, typically ranging between 110 and 120 beats per minute. Another distinctive feature is its emphasis on melody over vocal tracks. This genre has garnered significant popularity in South Africa and beyond, becoming a favorite in clubs and music festivals globally. Amapiano sets often feature live piano melodies, bringing an element of improvisation and experimentation to each performance. DJs frequently incorporate additional musical elements such as drums, saxophones, and basslines, contributing to the genre’s dynamic and diverse sound.

Amapiano originated in the townships of South Africa, primarily in the Gauteng province. It is said to have started at house parties and underground events in the Pretoria neighborhood outside of Johannesburg (J’burg), South Africa’s capital. The genre’s continuous piano melodies played a significant role in shaping its unique sound.

Kabza De Small, a key figure in the early days of amapiano, began his music career as a DJ in 2009 and later transitioned to producing amapiano in the early 2010s. However, it is challenging to pinpoint the exact location or event of his first performance. Amapiano gained traction through word of mouth and social media, particularly at house parties and underground gatherings.

The breakthrough for Kabza De Small came in 2018 with the release of his album “Avenue Sounds,” featuring several popular amapiano tracks. This album played a crucial role in bringing amapiano to a broader audience and establishing Kabza De Small as one of the genre’s pioneers.

MFR Souls, consisting of Tumelo Nedondwe and Tshiamo Rantao, played a significant role in popularizing the genre. They are credited with naming the genre “amapiano” and contributing to its mainstream success. The group gained prominence with their hit single “Love You Tonight,” featuring the vocals of DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, and Sha Sha.

While the exact origins of Amapiano are difficult to pinpoint, early pioneers of the genre include:

Kabza De Small: Known as the “King of Amapiano,” Kabza De Small is one of the most influential figures in the genre. He emerged in the early 2010s and played a significant role in popularizing Amapiano with his unique production style and infectious beats.

DJ Maphorisa: A prominent DJ and producer in the South African music industry, DJ Maphorisa has been instrumental in shaping the sound of Amapiano. His collaborations with other artists and producers have helped to elevate the genre’s profile both locally and internationally.

Vigro Deep: Another key figure in the Amapiano movement, Vigro Deep gained recognition for his soulful melodies and deep basslines. His early releases helped to define the sound of Amapiano and attract a growing fan base.

JazziDisciples: This duo played a significant role in popularizing Amapiano with their infectious tracks and energetic performances. Their innovative approach to production and composition helped to push the boundaries of the genre and attract a diverse audience.

Mfr Souls: With their soulful melodies and groovy rhythms, Mfr Souls have been instrumental in shaping the sound of Amapiano. Their early releases helped to establish the genre’s signature sound and pave the way for its mainstream success.

The “Top 50 – Nigeria” Spotify chart contains a plethora of amapiano-inspired songs. Some of the songs are explicitly titled amapiano, such as “Amapiano” by Asake featuring Olamide. This has led to a misconception in the United States that amapiano originates from Nigeria. This can be seen in a recent tweet by American artist Swae Lee, where he tweeted the Nigerian flag, alongside the words “Wait till y’all hear Swae Lee on Amapiano

Top 10 of South Africa’s Leading Amapiano Artists

1.Major League DJz

Spotify: Boasting 245,000 monthly listeners
Top YouTube Performance: Major League Djz & Abidoza (Ft. Cassper Nyovest, Kammu Dee & Ma Lemon) – Le Plane E’Landile, with an impressive 4 million views
Social Media Presence:

  • Instagram: 1.3 million followers
  • Facebook: 2.4 million followers
  • Twitter: 292,000 followers
  • TikTok: 78,000 followers
    Total Followers: A substantial 3.9 million
    Breakout Track: Slyza Tsotsi
    Twins Bandile and Banele Mbere, originally from Boston, USA, relocated to South Africa at the age of five. Their transformative ‘Robot Party’ at 16 marked the beginning of their journey. Initially promoters, they hosted some of South Africa’s major parties. When artists or DJs faced delays, they stepped into DJing at their own events. The duo pioneered the ‘new age Kwaito’ movement, aiming to revitalize Kwaito music with a youthful and aesthetically pleasing approach. Evolving into Amapiano, they describe it as a genre leaning more towards dance and house within the Kwaito realm. Currently based in the United Kingdom, the duo continues to make waves in the music scene.

2. Focalistic

Spotify: Garnering 359,000 monthly listeners
Top YouTube Performance: Ke Star Remix ft Davido & Vigro Deep, amassing a remarkable 9.4 million views
Social Media Influence:

  • Instagram: 1.4 million followers
  • Facebook: 2.5 million followers
  • Twitter: 272,000 followers
    Total Followers: Exceeding 4.1 million
    Breakout Track: Ke Star ft Vigro Deep
    Lethabo Sebetso, known as Focalistic, shares his journey with FORBES AFRICA, stating, “These brus are jealous. Here we go FORBES AFRICA interview, take one.” Born and raised in Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, the 25-year-old artist reflects on a typical South African childhood, filled with both highs and lows. While “Ke Star” brought him widespread recognition, he highlights an EP titled “Ase Trap Tse ke Pina Tsa Ko Kasi” done with Major League DJz as the defining moment in his career.

3. Musa Keys

Spotify: Accumulating 192,000 monthly listeners
Apple Music: Surpassing 7 million streams
Top YouTube Performance: “Musa Keys-Vula Mlomo,” boasting 6.2 million views
Social Media Impact:

  • Instagram: 253,000 followers
  • Facebook: 7,856 followers
  • Twitter: 29,100 followers
    Total Followers: Nearly 290,000
    Breakout Track: “Samarian Boy”
    Musa Makamu, a 21-year-old talent raised in Polokwane, Limpopo, initially pursued civil engineering but found his true calling in music. Studying sound technology at Damelin, he felt constrained by the curriculum and dropped out to embark on his music career. With his distinct sound and versatility, Makamu has quickly gained recognition, exemplified by his breakout track, “Samarian Boy.”

4. Soa Mattrix

Spotify: Garnering 94,000 monthly streams
Top YouTube Performance: “Soa Mattrix, Soulful G Feat. Shaun 101 – Uthando (Official Music Video)” with an impressive 25.5 million views
Social Media Impact:

  • Instagram: 19,100 followers
  • Facebook: 50,000 followers
  • Twitter: 1,908 followers
    Total Followers: 69,108
    Mandla Mashakeni, also known as Soa Mattrix, is a highly acclaimed producer with two double Platinum status awards. He gained widespread recognition for his 2020 hit, “Uthando.”

5. Lady Du

Spotify Followers: Boasting 241,000 monthly listeners
Top YouTube Performance: “Lady Du-Dakiwe” with an impressive 3 million views
Social Media Impact:

  • Instagram: 500,000 followers
  • Facebook: 879,000 followers
  • Twitter: 26,000 followers
  • TikTok: 237,000 followers
    Total Followers: 1.5 Million
    Lady Du, born Duduzile Ngwenya, is a rising star from Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg, making significant waves in the Amapiano genre. Despite her relatively short time in the Amapiano scene, she has quickly risen to prominence and dominance in the genre. Lady Du experimented with various genres before finding her success in Amapiano, marking a turning point in her musical journey.

6. Mr JazziQ

Apple Music Streams: Impressive 23 Million
Top YouTube Performance: “Mr JazziQ & Busta 929 ft. Reece Madlisa, Zuma, Mpura, Riky Rick, 9umba – VSOP (Official Music Video)” with 4 million views
Social Media Impact:

  • Instagram: 919,000 followers
  • Facebook: 1.5 million followers
  • Twitter: 150,500 followers
  • TikTok: 118,900 followers
    Total Followers: 2.6 Million
    Mr JazziQ, whose real name is Tumelo Manyoni, hails from Alexandra, one of the largest townships in South Africa located north of Johannesburg. Despite challenging living circumstances, he views his upbringing as a valuable educational experience. Known for his experimental and curious nature from a young age, Mr JazziQ has embraced the popular South African slang word ‘Danko’ as his daily motto, translating to ‘thank you’.

7. MFR Souls

Spotify: 108,000 monthly streams
Top YouTube Performance: “MFR Souls – Love You Tonight ft. DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha, Kabza De Small” with 7.7 million views
Social Media Impact:

  • Instagram: 17,000 followers
  • Facebook: 81,000 followers
  • Twitter: 218,000 followers
  • TikTok: 4,332 followers
    Total Followers: 500,000
    This dynamic duo, Tumelo ‘Maero’ Nedondwe and Tumelo ‘Force’ Mabe, gained widespread recognition in South Africa with their hit single “Love You Tonight,” featuring DJ Maphorisa, Sha Sha, and Kabza De Small, released last year. Both hail from Katlehong, a large township in the East Rand, south of Germiston in Johannesburg.

8. DBN Gogo

Spotify: 218,000 monthly streams
Top YouTube Performance: “DBN Gogo X Blaqnick X Masterblaq feat. Mpura, M.J & AMA Avenger- Khuza Gogo” with 3.5 million views
Social Media Impact:

  • Instagram: 758,000 followers
  • Facebook: 1.3 million followers
  • Twitter: 143,000 followers
  • TikTok: 207,400 followers
    Total Followers: 2.3 million
    Mandisa Radebe, a KwaZulu-Natal native, gained widespread recognition during the pandemic for creating dance challenges like the #DakiweChallenge, which took the country by storm.

9. The Scorpion Kings
(DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small)

Spotify: Over 3 million views
Top YouTube Performance: “DJ Maphorisa x Kabza De Small ft Mhaw Keys – Koko” with 5.6 million views
Social Media Impact:

  • Kabza De Small
  • Instagram: 1.1 million followers
  • Facebook: 795,000 followers
  • Twitter: 688,900 followers
  • TikTok: 165,600 followers
  • Total: 2.65 million followers
  • DJ Maphorisa
  • Instagram: 1.8 million followers
  • Facebook: 2.6 million followers
  • Twitter: 4,172 followers
  • TikTok: 379,300 followers
  • Total: 4.3 million followers

The Scorpion Kings, comprised of DJ Maphorisa (Themba Sekowe) and Kabza De Small (Kabelo Motha), were instrumental in popularizing Amapiano culture. DJ Maphorisa, hailing from Soshanguve in Pretoria, is an award-nominated producer and DJ. Kabza De Small made headlines for being one of the first Amapiano artists in the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 class in 2021.

10. Vigro Deep

Spotify: 50,000 monthly listeners
Top YouTube Performance:

  • “Song International” – 1.2 million views
  • “Ke Star remix” – 9.4 million views
    Social Media Impact:
  • Instagram – 481,000 followers
  • Facebook – 275,000 followers
  • Twitter – 167,000 followers
  • Total: 923,000 followers
    Breakout Song: International

Kamogelo Phetla, popularly known as Vigro Deep, hails from Atteridgeville, a township west of Pretoria. Starting as a dancer, the 20-year-old ventured into music, initially against his father’s DJ background. Amapiano, a fusion of different genres like deep house and Kwaito, represents a unique and explosive sound. Vigro Deep sees Amapiano as a genre that brings happiness, allowing for diverse musical influences and mixing with Afro and hip hop.

Read More In-Depth Profiles of South African Music Icons: Amazing Facts about Musa Keys, DJ Maphorisa’s Life and Career, and the Net Worth and Controversies of Mr JazziQ

In-Depth Profiles of South African Music Icons: Amazing Facts about Musa Keys, DJ Maphorisa’s Life and Career, and the Net Worth and Controversies of Mr JazziQ

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