Nasty C's 'Psychic': a bold leap into musical independence

South African rapper Nasty C has marked a pivotal moment in his career.

The rapper has launched his new song, “Psychic”, the first single under his independent label, Tall Racks Records.

For Nasty C, the track is not just a musical offering but represents an evolution for him as he transitions from chart-topping sensation to a fully-fledged music executive, stepping into creative control and claiming ownership of his artistry. 

Following the excitement generated by his 2024 collaborative EP "Confuse The Enemy" with Lekaa Beats, Nasty C enters this new chapter with a clear and confident voice.

"Psychic" opens with an evocative, gritty bassline, infusing captivating trumpet elements that seamlessly lead into an infectious hook, showcasing Nasty C’s signature vocals.

The track immediately sets a bold tone, signalling the artist’s relentless passion and creativity.

According to a statement, the core of the song is laden with reflective lyrics that address the many hardships, hate and challenges Nasty C has faced throughout his journey.

It articulates how these struggles have fuelled his drive and commitment, transforming adversities into potent sources of inspiration.

The core message?

"Life won’t hand you anything on a silver platter. You’ve got to put yourself out there, trust your vision, and build the right support system to weather the tough times. Success, after all, is rooted in knowing who you are and refusing to lose yourself to fleeting challenges," read the statement.

More than just a track, "Psychic" is a message to his younger self, and to anyone bold enough to bet on their dreams. 

"It's a reminder that we each have an inner vision; we’re all ‘psychics’ of our own destinies."

Taking to Instagram, Nasty C shared a video on how he went about putting together the beats and vocals.  

In the second part of the video, he said: "I asked my boy Tellaman to replay some of the horns for me. Shout out to Tellaman. He replayed some stuff for me and added a couple of notes in there and made it a bit more interesting ...

"He definitely has better plugins than me ... I hope you listen to it, I hope you checked it out ... I can't wait to perform it again, man. I recently performed it for the very first time in Zimbabwe." 

Earlier this year, Nasty C made history by becoming the first South African hip hop solo artist to surpass 100 million streams on Spotify, a milestone that highlights the growing influence of SA hip hop. 

Nasty C led with over 1.5 million monthly listeners. 

With hits like "Zulu Man" and the recent "Prosper in Peace", he’s not only dominating locally but making his mark internationally, proving SA hip-hop has global appeal.