Freestyling has long been regarded as one of hip hop’s defining skills, often serving as a way for emerging rappers to showcase their lyrical ability and earn recognition within the culture. However, award-winning South African rapper Nasty C believes that while freestyling remains an important part of hip hop, its role in today’s music landscape has evolved.
During a recent interview on Gagasi FM, Nasty C was asked whether freestyling is still a measure of credibility for newcomers entering the rap game, or if that expectation is more reflective of old-school hip hop thinking.
Responding to the question, the rapper acknowledged the significance of freestyling in the culture and explained that it continues to hold value despite changes in the sound of modern hip hop.
“I think it’s still such a really dope part of this whole hip hop thing,” he said.
Nasty C went on to reflect on his own journey, revealing that freestyling played a key role in helping him gain recognition from people whose opinions he valued. According to him, some of the respect and acknowledgement he received early in his career came directly from his ability to freestyle.
He explained that impressive freestyles often encouraged listeners to pay attention to an artist’s music beyond those spontaneous performances. In many cases, a strong freestyle would create enough interest for people to check out an artist’s projects and albums, helping them build an audience and establish credibility within the genre.
While recognising the influence freestyling had on his career and on hip hop culture in general, Nasty C noted that the current direction of mainstream rap has shifted some of the expectations placed on artists.
The rapper suggested that today’s sound does not necessarily require the same emphasis on freestyle ability that previous generations of artists were expected to demonstrate. As a result, he believes that while freestyling should remain part of hip hop, it is no longer essential for success in the modern era.
“It should never go away, but I think with this current sound of hip hop, it’s not really necessary because you’re not going to get that on the album,” he said.
His comments highlight an ongoing conversation within hip hop about the balance between traditional rap skills and the evolving styles that continue to shape the genre. While freestyling remains a respected art form, Nasty C’s perspective reflects how changing musical trends have influenced the way artists connect with audiences and build successful careers today.
