South African hip-hop heavyweight Nasty C has released his highly anticipated single, Psychic, marking his first official solo drop of the year. The track signifies Nasty C’s return to the spotlight after going independent. The rapper, who also produced the song under his alias Czzle, has been teasing Psychic for weeks, building suspense with cryptic social media snippets and bold artwork, as noted in announcements from SA Hip Hop Mag and Zkhiphani on May 6.
Psychic is a hard-hitting, introspective track that showcases Nasty C’s lyrical agility and genre-blending prowess, a signature of his work since his 2015 breakout mixtape Price City. The song features vivid storytelling, with Nasty C flexing his experiences while navigating interactions with haters, fans, and his inner circle. A snippet shared earlier this week included the line “Hater on my dick, The whole thing not just the Tip,” hinting at the raw, confrontational energy fans can expect. Produced by Nasty C himself, the beat is described as “hard-sounding” by Zkhiphani, with a dynamic flow that highlights his evolution as an artist since his 2023 album I Love It Here, which solidified his global influence with over 120 million streams for Strings And Bling alone.
The release comes at a pivotal moment for Nasty C, who has been operating on a “higher plane” in 2025, balancing fatherhood, fitness, and frequent visual content. The move to independence aligns with his earlier statements on his website, where he emphasized maintaining creative control: “I am still me and no matter what deals I sign; I am not letting anyone dictate my sound or image.” Psychic reflects this ethos, offering a bold, unfiltered look at his journey while reinforcing his status as “The Coolest Kid in Africa.”
With a history of accolades—including being the youngest recipient of the Best Freshman Award at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards at age 18—and collaborations with global stars like A$AP Ferg and Davido, Nasty C’s latest single is poised to make waves. Fans expect Psychic to continue his streak of impactful releases, following his 2022 Ivyson Army Tour Mixtape and his role as the first African brand ambassador for Activision’s Call of Duty. As Nasty C embraces his roots and global audience, Psychic delivers a sound that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant, setting the stage for what’s next in his independent chapter.
Listen to Psychic here.
