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                          Strings and Bling Album Review

Another warm Durban night, another one down.

Another album for the young Prince of African Hip hop, another one down.

I cannot shake the feeling that Nasty C is on the pinnacle of discovering a new plateau of African Hip hop.

We immediately receive the sense of alertness on the theatrical intro, ‘Blisters’.

Blisters is a young thug’s confession.

With spirituality at the centre of his make up, the 21 year old rapper from Durban displays a level of awareness of his spirituality that is quite ahead his youth and peers. Nasty C’s ability to fully express himself as if we were afforded a peak into his prayers and conversations with God is quite extraordinary.

The self-title ‘Strings and Bling’ is the standout joint for me. Sitting right after the intro, the insatiable strings places us in 1982 Cuba where a young Pablo Escobar dreamed of power on top of the sprawling hills of Medellin.

Nasty C is Pablo against the hard-hitting kicks and this is his land! Even in the midst of an overwhelming bellow for peace and “khumbaya”, it is clear that Nasty is still battling and struggling with the fulfillment of his plea. Can the money and the riches fulfill this plea? Or will it do the opposite?

The album is broken apart into surges, or what Kanye West would say, streams. Jungle and No Respect pulls you deep into the jungle, with hard-hitting percussion and rap bravado. Nasty C gives ‘No Respect’ his full attention with crushing bars and provocative adlibs.

A minute and a half into vigorously exercising our neck bones, we sink into the smooth and infectious ‘Legendary’.

Nasty C has settled into the comfort of his creative authenticity. He runs through various flows as a new school rapper would, although never sacrificing his element of originality.

King is the epitome of a perfectly executed display of ego trippin’. Asap Ferg gives a stellar sixteen, giving the track that global roar that Nasty C needs.

The belly of the young Durban native’s sophomore album evokes the constant and in-discreet idea of love. ‘Mrs Me’ is an exaggerated commitment to love whilst ‘Casanova’ presents a conflicted admittance to being a young playboy.

Each song on ‘Strings and Bling’ is a necessary ingredient for the well-being of the youth.

Touching on subjects such as mental health which is a tragic reality within our very communities and the rest of the world. This album delves into the mentality of a chosen messenger. Nasty C begins a new conversation in South African Hip hop.

A conversation that begs the question, what are you willing to do for Love? To obtain it, to maintain it and to share it, without losing your true sense of self. Strings and Bling is a classic love song baring all the scars and triumphs of prevailing love.

It’s hard to fathom the reality that this is only the beginning.

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Emtee- Manando Album Review

by Naz Millionz- 05/12/17

 Too often are we confronted by the bitter-taste of mediocre music served on a shiny silver-platter. Music that is sugar-coated in a ball of auto-tune vocals with shrewd commentary wrapped in ignorant yelps of the supposed misconception of the Hip hop culture.

 Observing from a close distance without fully immersing oneself within the life and mind of a musician is not only detrimental to the accurate perception of an artist's music, it also takes away from the magic of watching an original story unfold.

 Perhaps our lack of attention as music listeners is where the problem may lie.

Nonetheless, Emtee is one such artist that breaks the stereotypes of public perception when it comes to the art this young artist produces. Under the guise of the highly notorious surge of trap music on a global scale, Emtee has managed to tow the line, coming in pound-for-pound with a unique and ethnic approach to music.

 Emtee's music is sonically local in soul and essence, with his echoing outpouring of real emotions that come from a real place. Emtee is sound and clear, personifying the desired fabric of Hip Hop which is music with social commentary.

 I was introduced to Emtee's music courtesy of a close friend named Channel O. A friend of mine had told me of a young artist from Matatiele whoI paid no particular attention to until his nationwide anthem "Roll Up" graced our screens in the most massive way since Cassper Nyovest's "Doc Shebeleza".

 "Emtee has managed to tow the line, coming in pound-for-pound with a unique and ethnic approach to music.."

 Although Emtee's debut offering 'Avery', named after his first son went on to win multiple awards and critical acclaim, Emtee still had much to prove with the hunger of a real and complete sophomore album growing by the minute.

 Emtee delivered.

 Platinum  is the royal entrance. Loud drums and aratum tum tums reminiscent of 90s rap infused with Boi1da-esque kick and drum sequences fill this freestyled banger.

 Emtee has cultivated an entire continental sub-genre called African Trap, directly adjacent to the dominant global trap sound. It's hard to argue that Emtee is not the most thorough and sonically flawless artist of our time. At least in South Africa.

 "You know a song is great when it feels like you've heard it before."?

 The Robin sitting on the passenger seat in this batmobile is wild producer Ruff of Ambitiousz entertainment. I Try is an honest plea and promise which opens up a family conversation on the home dinner table.

 Where plastic covers hug the preserved sofas with the smell of polished magony and porcelain fine china, Ruff's magical ability to place nostalgia as a central ingredient on a recording channel is truly amazing.

 Have you ever heard of the saying; "You know a song is great when it feels like you've heard it before."? Me and You is the testament of that statement. A true standout record from the first synth to the last pad. A refreshing bass welcomes the summer in the most infectious way whilst Tiwa Savage is an absolute darling on the record.

 Manando is hopeful and full of faith in a world with so little of it. A world with much ambition yet little faith, Emtee carries both on each shoulder, filling the chip on every young South African's shoulders.

 "... uyachesa mdoko phola.."

 The album's title track is the answer to Emtee's album state of mind. This is arguably Emtee's most comfortable record. His bellow-like cries reminiscent of a firm-believer is absolutely irresistible. The sun seems to set onto All Night and we get to experience a much more mellowed out trap artist throughout the 2nd quarter of the album with records such as Bambelela, Ghetto Hero and Emazweni.

Emtee's vivacious charisma reenters the fray on Corner Store which happened to be the 2nd single on this sophomore album by the young Johannesburg rapper. Emtee's vocal surf the hard-hitting 808 instrumental with a chorus that is nothing short of wavy. Shouting "... uyachesa mdoko phola..", Emtee uses a common South African Zulu phrase used to warn enemies of their mistimed approach directly translated to "calm down".

 I appreciate Emtee's militant rap spirit. he has an insatiable taste for victory and survival in the rap game. An album of loss, an album to inspire and lastly, a victorious album.

 Editor's pick: Emtee- Summertime High (feat. Saudi)

 Photo Cred:

Golden Suni (.co.za)

djsproduction (.blogspot.com)

Zkhipani (.co.za)

Ekovibez (.com)

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Shane Eagle- Yellow Album Review

As if the earth turned to gold and the gold turned to dust, the breeze left Shane Eagle bare as bone, with nothing but consideration and empathy. Walking through the valley of death with Julia, I was overcome with painful nostalgia. A pain so deep yet so sweet, the sweetness and optimism on Yellow opens a hidden trap door that reveals a world of wisdom.

   Yellow is the Intro before the intro, a way of providing closure for Julia.

   Blank walls lay naked at each end, expanding the room by the size of a teenage elephant. The midday sun kisses the white bed sheets, awakening the dead. Wow, I am awake. I am alive.

   I’m up now, looking at myself in the mirror with the squint-eye of an ambitious adolescent. This is a great Intro. This is arguably one of the best intros we’ve heard in a while.

Shooter Khumz introduces the album with pure flamboyance and ease, prompting the listener to actually start listening while Shane jockeys the fast-paced instrumental with sweet vocals of hopeful rants and pure vibes.

   The intro sets the tone of the project, posing questions that we hope to find answers to by the end of the journey.

    “ … is this my dream… is this my life.. man I can’t tell?!..”

   Shane raises many questions which gives the listener many answers to his mind-state as he drives this melodic piece with relativeness and innocence. Never coming off naïve but rather pensive and introspective, Shane seems to know the answers to his own questions, proving this with his clinical delivery and reassured tone. 

   What defines Shane on this project is his undying empathetic consideration for his fans and listeners. You can tell that he truly cares about helping people find the answers to their own questions in life.

   You can feel it through the angelic cries on the eloquently sampled ‘Strange’. The album sounds very inspired. Not by things, not by people but by a more innate muse.

God is a present-muse, carrying the young Rabie Ridge native throughout the whole project. Truly inspiring is Shane’s ability to compliment the ShooterKhumz instrumentals in the most poignant yet hopeful manner, giving meaning to every record on Yellow. Every song on the project is carefully threaded into one wholesome idea, the idea is subjective but most certainly introspective, and largely divine in its message.

   Need Me is a standout joint. As the only feature on the album, the KLY assisted track gives off a nostalgic scent of New millennium RnB although still paddling on the new millennial 808 trap bass sound. As the album begins to truly unravel, the Privacy interlude throws you into a wormhole of self-reflection as a subtle synth drives the psychedelic vibe, giving you just enough rope to hang on before being released as your feet land firmly on the heavy-hitting ‘On My Own’.

   On My Own is what we all want to hear. The 808 slide is irresistible, and the flow is even more infectious. The bravado, the confidence, the audacity exudes in the highest manner on this track with the most sparkling touch. Shane’s on another level now and he wants to humbly announce his arrival, sweetly chiming; ‘Last night I woke up in Africa, this morning I woke up in Europe’.

   ‘Every song on the project is carefully threaded into one wholesome idea, the idea is subjective but most certainly introspective, and largely divine in its message.’

   As if multiple cigarette buds lay on the dusty ash-tray in a room-filled with “the homies” relentlessly bobbing their heads with passion and grit, passing the codeine-seeping Sprite while rhyming to every word on ‘Let It Flow’ making even the staunchest Scrambles for Money Hip hop head proud.

   Shane doesn’t do too much on the bars but it’s never too little. This is the awakening of an artist. Shane has finally found his stride, with a hop in his step and a chip on his shoulder, this story couldn't have had a better antagonist.

   And just when you’re comfortable enough to bump this record to the highest-level, Aliens/Conversations with God wraps around you like a warm blanket, comforting the weak in spirit. Shane’s melodic vocals accompany almost every track on the album which is something unexpected yet seemingly necessary and deliberate on this highly-contemplative offering.

   ‘..I read the bible I feel weird about it. Maybe when I see you we can talk about it..’.

 Shane is rarely outside of his calm poise and demeanor. Giving new testament to having a conversation with God, the 21-year-old rapper offers a necessary aside aimed at the younger generation, doing what most great rappers are meant to do which is to inspire.

  The warm prayer continues onto MIHI (Made In His Image) on the drum-filled ensemble letting the light burn till the wax has completely melted away any feelings of non-belief and doubt.

  The Vuzu Hustle finalist's thirst for isolation, hunger for being the best to do it proves to be his ultimate aim from the onset. Although Shane isn't your generic narcissist. Shane has found company with God, and Greatness within himself.

  This debut album from the South African rapper is a moral compass for the music enthusiast who travels the online space in search of South African Hip Hop.

   ‘..I read the bible I feel weird about it. Maybe when I see you we can talk about it.’

  The bar has been raised, the reference point has been highlighted. Shane has managed to do the unexpected, entering unchartered territory with nothing but his heart on his sleeve.

   If Yellow were just a colour, then it’s safe to say that Shane has coloured outside of the lines, successfully.

  Written by: @naz_millionz

Photo Cred: @officialbiaggio

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#Ghetto Pre-orders now available! DM to purchase

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Yanga- Mntase

2017 has been the year of revelations, with only 3 months into the new year. More and more artists are hitting the refresh button, re-booting their approach with their careers and Yanga is one of those brave artists.

A real artist in the true sense, Yanga offers this self-directed visual story as one of his first outtakes from his split with his former record label Vth Season and boy is this a good start!

“2017 has been the year of revelations..”

The trickling droplets of melted beeswax gives me that homegrown smell of sweet honey filled with hope and struggle, the perfect winning combination for your average South African.

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed brings me to confrontation with my tattered Holy Bible on the edge of my side-tale, reminding me of the required mandate of the day, regardless of how I feel.

Yanga brings hope to the potentially hopeless in this emotionally-driven visual of his latest single ‘Mntase’. Yanga’s casual geriatrics with the backdrop of a stacked book-shelf leads the African rapper’s rhythmic-ensemble into the new-age space of playful determination, filling the nuances of despair evoked by his plead-filled tones on the hook.

Yanga is on a mission. To find hope and musical security as his portrayal is for a job. The clear juxtaposition between Yanga and the optimistic jobseeker brings to life the South African conundrum of the neglect of the youth and the socio-economic issues this all results in. 

“.. Yanga allows me to re-learn things lost in the fire with this soulful track”

Mostly singing in his home language of Xhosa, the Eastern-Cape native reminds me of a lost time, where learning was the basis of life, jetting on a short-lived time machine back in time to recapture what has been lost. 

Yanga’s signature stumbling-staircase flow serenades the verse coated with harmonic tones that are welcomed by echoing auto-tune infused adlibs, giving you a trance-like head-rush that spurs on a painless head-bump. 

I as a middle-class South African has lost my language in time and Yanga allows me to re-learn things lost in the fire with this soulful track.

“...Yanga’s signature stumbling-staircase flow serenades the verse...”

Going head-to-head against the mainstream expectations of a new-age Hip hop artist, Yanga stands tall and never backs down.

This is great yanga.

Director: @itsyangachief

Production: F2D Productions

Video Source: Yanga Youtube

Image Source: North Eastern Tribune; SA Hip hop Magazine; Coke Studios

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Naz Millionz- 25 To Life

South African rapper and songwriter has released his debut project titled “25 To Life” on his birthday on March 14th, marking his optimistic expectations for the future.

The 8-track Ep comprises of neatly placed, boom bap resemblance ensembles, infused with late 90s and new millenial rap music.

The authenticity on this project is resembled through tracks such as Excuses and On My Mind where Naz goes on an unfiltered harmonic rant, speaking of the truths in his life.

You can play and download the full project on Audiomack right here:

https://www.audiomack.com/album/dubworld/25-to-life

25 To Life Tracklist:

Source: Naz Millionz Youtube

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Priddy Ugly- Alter Ego

So often we are plagued with formulaic songs from radio, generated from industry research and radio programming requirements to the point where we are fed with music that does not reflect the true nature and talent of the music landscape.

Priddy Ugly has always been the one to break against those rules and the Liberado ambassador has shown us that there’s no stopping his quest for musical freedom and visual anomaly. 

Priddy Ugly is a true indie-artist. It’s quite impressive and with more visual content that fully expresses his musical direction, it’s not hard to put him as one of the most creative artists of our time here in South Africa.

Don’t be fulled by the steady progress, the Cidefx shot and directed video offers us an optical view of the Gang Gang phrase, with special cameos from ‘Mercy’ hitmaker Thaiwanda, KLY, dancer Bontle Modiselle and Wichi 1080 to name a few.

The collaboration between Wichi 1080 and Priddy Ugly has spawned a new sound within the South African music scene and it seems as though they get closer and closer to the ethnic sounds, still maintaining Priddy’s authentic sound.

This rapper is a true representative of the booming sound of the beastrand.

Let us know what you think of the visuals!

Source: 

Priddy Ugly Youtube

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Shane Eagle- Mary Mary

Beastrand/Rabie ridge native Shane Eagle has bounced back with another loosie titled “Mary Mary”.

The V Entertainment persona rides the wave of the Shooterkumz beat like a surfboard, crashing down on all the haters that ever doubted his position on the Hip hop scene.

Shane seems to be on a new page in his rap career, channeling both Sean Don and Drake with his Bounce back/In the Streets inspired flow, a stark detachment from what we saw from his previous solo offering ‘Cutting Corners’

We’re gearing up for The Eagle’s flight as we prepare for Shane’s debut mixtape project.

Tell us what you think about the joint!

Source: Shane Eagle Soundcloud 

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Meet Kharmoo

I met this wonderful person by the name of Kharmoo back in 2014, or so. You truly don’t know a person until she’s behind a lens.

Firebird Cappuccino

We kicked the day off with a cappuccino at the Cosmopolitan with the good people over at Firebird who let us enjoy the freedom of snapping the moment.

The Innercity

The city is never hard to find and with every moment captured, Kharmoo was unleashed.

Prognosis

This Golden Girl possesses true light that is skin deep.

Her mahogany melanin is true testament to her regal persona.

Kharmoo shot by Millionz

Collaborators: LFE Photography x African Beast x Kreative Empire

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Russ- The Journey

So quickly how the wheel turns, except this was an unexpected one.

Russ is a young rapper from New Jersey, USA, emphasis on the word “rapper”. Generating over 69 million plays on his soundcloud page, there is no other indie-artist working as hard as this young prodigy.

Russ broke into the mainstream space with his defiant “What they know” record and now he is back with stories from his travel bags, giving his thoughts on various topics including his rigid yet factual perspective about the Hip hop industry as seen in his interviews.

Russ has found his stride and is destined for Hip hop greatness!

Russ- What They Want Music Video:

Russ Interview on Power 106 Los Angeles:

Image Source: Russ Instagram

Visual Source: Power 106 Los Angeles; RussVevo

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Anatii- Artiifacts: Album Review

By Naz Millionz

The electronic sound is a foreign entity in the urban sphere but somehow it has managed to comet itself into the niche alleys of creative spaces.

The rise of artists such as Camagwini and deep-electro producers such as Kid Fonque has allowed the urban mainstream space to make room for sonically-driven artists such as Anatii.

 Sounding like the long-last son of Simphiwe Dana, Anatii brings the alternative ethnic rhythm feel to the mainstream spotlight like no other.

As a true African, Anatii says true to his unifying namesake by opening up his debut album with a powerful prayer, touching every string of your soul with his passion-filled rant that gets you riled up for the introduction of the album. The prayer extends into the second track with the trap-infused running record titled ‘Pray for the children’ which re-images Nelson Mandela in a black coupe as Anatii would do in continuing his legacy.

 ‘Sounding like the long-last son of Simphiwe Dana, Anatii brings the alternative ethnic rhythmic feel to the mainstream spotlight like no other.’  

Unlike his predominantly experimental singles that lay the foundation to the birth of this album, Artiifacts seems to take us back to a time before the Anatii became who he was by bringing us into a world of the forgotten, a world devoid of ethnic divide and modern tastelessness.

Anatii’s 2014 mainstream breakthrough single “Freedom” serves as the opening speech of the first quarter of the album. Aluta Continua is the promised undertone but Anatii brings this ideal to mainstream life by making it an approachable entity through his ranty adlibs and deliberate mid-verse outburst reminiscent of a Sangoma’s (African doctor’s) blessings.

 Anatii’s production expertise go unquestioned on this project, so much so leading his aspirant lyrical ability. Although Artiifacts tells us that Anatii identifies himself as more than just a producer.

 The album’s arrangement never takes an emotional dip. “Feeling on me” hits the funny bone, prompting you to get onto your feet because Anatii has arrived to the party. 

The Caribbean-influenced jam extends all the way through to Overdrive which lets us know that we are in the land of Milk and Honey where trees hold mango fruits and clear blue seas meet the rich-red sands of Gold and suffering. This is where we have a panoramic view of paradise.

 It’s quite inspiring that the dominant and most authentic takes from the project are Anatii’s tracks, taking nothing from “Proper” and “Tell Me” featuring internationally recognized artists Tiwa Savage and Omarion respectively.

 ‘…we are in the land of Milk and Honey where trees hold mango fruits and clear blue sees meet the rich-red sands of Gold and Suffering.’

 Love is the premise. The breaking point of this album is a song called “Thanda”. Almost as if it were written for someone, Thanda is a song for everyone for someone. It pulls the whole album together by symbolizing the message of the album on one record.

From the all too familiar Saga continues form the hot streets of Jozi into the album, introducing a number of club bangers for the last bit of the album, almost as if Anatii had realized that his point had been put across. Although holding strong ethnic drums and tones, Artiifacts retains a global sound that offers itself to the whole world as opposed to the notion of being made exclusively for “his people”.

 The closing track featuring the indomitable Uhuru is the passing of the calabash as the drums and the stabbing monotonic shouts reminiscent of a young Femi Kuti closes the effort in a deserved celebration that invites every one of all genres to join in on the party.

 Artiifacts is a peek into the soul of a modern-day African youth entrenched in his God-given roots.

 This is a progressive effort for South African Hip hop as a whole.

 Images Source: Anatii’s Instagram

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Joey Bada$$- Land of the Free

This is the pick of the day! 

As we await with baited breaths for the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States of America.

Born in Brooklyn New York from Jamaican and Caribbean parents, the All-American rapper expresses his full emotions on this day in history as President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the new U.S president.

“..comforting us in a seemingly uncomfortable America.”

Joey represents the youth diaspora who refuses to conform to modern societal expectations as he points out modern injustices, including the never-dying echo of black oppression.

This record seems to go on and on and we prefer it this way, as the hook rings in our minds over and over again, comforting us in a seemingly uncomfortable America. 

“..they disorganized my people made us all loners..”

The future is bleak, but as Joey introduces.. “We cannot change the world without changing ourselves..”. Joey has clapped back at his “devastated” haters who believed he sold out with the crossover single. 

This is good. We relate all the way from Africa Joey. Alas, Happy inauguration day to all U.S citizens!

Source: Joey Bada$$ Soundcloud

Images: Hannah Sider (Photographer) & Barbara Anastacio (Photographer)

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(EADAUDIO)

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Naz Millionz & Freddy Bambatha- Been So Long

I introduce to you, Naz Millionz and Freddy Bambatha! 

Kicking off the year with high-revs. Although on the contrary, this offering by Mr. Mary Jane himself along with Freddy Bambatha from the beastrand gives us mellow tones that will smooth any rough day.

Been So Long is the first single off Naz Millionz and Freddy Bambatha’s collaborative project titled Cash Ruined Everything Around Me and boy does it sound good!

‘I introduce to you, Naz Millionz and Freddy Bambatha!’

The relativity despite mainstream relevance gives this song mass appeal in a way that we haven’t seen in many fortnights, taking us back to the days of The Clipse and H20. 

Although they are stand alone artists, Naz and Freddy do well in expressing one voice throughout the record, presenting lyrical dexterity and composed passion that will make any Hip hop head bop along involuntarily.

‘.. taking us back to the days of The Clipse and H20.’

Their debut mixtape titled Cash Ruined Everything Around Me, or more easily identified as CREAM is due out on January, 24th!

Stream for your enjoyment!

Source: EADAUDIO Soundcloud

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Big Sean- Moves Official Music Video

It’s no secret that The Don himself Mr. Sean Anderson has been out the spotlight for quite some time. But his return to the rap game comes at no better time than the rise of the New Year!

Offering his 2nd visuals off his upcoming album titled ‘I Decided’, Moves totally encapsulates the mood that one needs to carry throughout this new year.

The Mike Carson directed visuals follow the spectacular first attempt of ‘Bounce Back’ which surely place Big Sean in pole position in creative visuals. Sean has never been one to be shallow when it comes to his brand, first offering the “Moves” merchandise when the single first dropped (which are now sold out by the way). 

‘..Moves totally encapsulates the mood that one needs to carry throughout this new year.’

Check out this dope music video that will surely get you jumpin’. Big Sean’s fourth studio LP is set to drop on February 3rd, 2017.

Source: BigSeanVEVO

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Nasty C- Pressure Official Music Video

Africa’s Golden Child hits the ground running with this New Year contribution. One of the favourite joints off his widely-received debut album ‘Bad Hair’, Pressure displays different sides of the “Hell Naw” hitmaker in one visual offering, bringing his thought-provoking persona to life.

The Free World Music Captain expands from his visual prowess witnessed on previous music videos such as ‘Hell Naww’ and ‘Switched Up’ with a more crisp expression of his psychedelic imagination. 

“... Pressure displays different sides of the “Hell Naw” hitmaker in one visual offering, bringing his thought-provoking persona to life.”

Although his techniques seem to remain the same, giving one the silent inkling that this may be Nasty’s signature style that he is attempting to imprint.

The music video is Nasty C kind of dope and it seems as though as though the young rapper intends on keeping his friends close and his money even closer by insisting on curating every detail of his art form.

Let’s hope for more visuals as Nasty C shoots for album longevity!

Enjoy the music video above. Let us know what you think!

Source: TRYBE 13 Trybe

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https://soundcloud.com/eadaudio/deeptreecase-ulwandle-ft-deacon-october