Nasty C is one of Africa’s finest and most essential hip-hop voices. The Durban-raised wunderkind with a lyrical gift as sharp as his ambition has spent the better part of the last decade carving out a reputation as one of Africa’s most versatile and magnetic hip-hop exports. The second half of his joint project with Nigerian producer Lekaa Beats, Confuse the Enemy, has arrived to form an album which amplifies the sonic dialogue between South Africa and Nigeria. On the LP, Nasty doubles down on his identity, staking his claim in the broader global music conversation while remaining fiercely grounded in African hip-hop. It offers a perfect platform for his flow to stretch in new and exciting directions, showing that his adaptability is the key to his continued success.

Collaborations between Nigeria and South Africa, carry a certain weight — these are the twin engines powering the continent’s musical ascendancy— and Confuse The Enemy is no exception. The title is provocative, almost cheeky: Confuse the Enemy. Who’s the enemy, though? Perhaps it’s the reductive categorization of African music as a monolith. Perhaps it’s the industry forces that expect African artists to adhere to templates, neatly packaged for export. Or perhaps it’s simply stagnation — the refusal to experiment, to blur lines, to merge worlds. Whatever the “enemy” is, Nasty C and Lekaa Beats make it clear that they are prepared for it. They both offer their own rebellion: a genre-bending, border-dissolving offering. Lekaa Beats performs as both architect and mediator, his production weaving certain elements that allow Nasty to flex in new ways without losing his footing. 

Confuse The Enemy opens with “Life of the Party”, a record that places Nasty C within the swelling tides of amapiano. It shines through its party-ready veneer assisted by Daliwonga, Zee Nxumalo, and Yumbs. There’s been a growing renaissance of Amapiano, the South African house sound that has made waves both regionally and internationally, and “Life Of The Party” fully taps into the genre’s groove.

As the album progresses, its sonic palette grows more adventurous. The pace subtly quickens with tracks like “Trouble,” where UK rapper Chip and Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK join forces with Nasty and Lekaa for a crossover between UK grime and African trap. As one of the most recognizable voices in African hip-hop, Nasty C has spent the better part of a decade balancing two worlds: the raw lyricism demanded by purists and the global visibility that requires fluidity in style. On “Pies,” he and Lekaa Beats take a turn towards jersey club, introducing a reverb-drenched, bouncy vocal arrangement that provides a sonic contrast to the previous tracks.

“One Time,” is another album highlight, featuring Tiwa Savage. Lekaa Beats’ production takes a more orchestral turn with sweeping violins that complements Tiwa’s chorus. It’s an expertly executed mash up of Afrobeats and hip-hop, capturing the essence of both genres while still pushing them into new territory. 

One of the most thrilling contours of Confuse the Enemy is how Nasty C manipulates the art of flow, which has always been at the heart of his artistry. Hip-hop is, of course, as much about flow as it is about content, and Nasty’s ability to navigate different beats with precise technicality and melodic sensibility is one of his greatest assets. He continues his magic on “Assignment,” a standout where he marries his flow with that of one of South Africa’s strongest rappers, Blxckie. It’s Amapiano-infused but doesn’t lean too hard into the genre’s tropes. Instead, it’s a subtle nod to the sound while remaining firmly rooted in hip-hop’s cadence. Nasty isn’t trying to prove anything here — he doesn’t need to. He’s flexing in his own lane, pulling from different musical worlds and creating something that feels fresh but distinctly him.

The project wraps up with its jewel, “Use & Seduce,” a slow-burning track featuring Nanette, whose liquid-like vocals fit perfectly within Lekaa Beats’ airy production. Here, Nasty C plays the perfect host. The smoothness of the track is a fitting close to an album that never feels rushed or forced — each song with its place and purpose. At its core, this LP speaks to where Nasty C is now: an artist who’s conquered one hill and is looking toward the next. He’s confident enough to experiment, self-assured enough to share the spotlight, and strategic enough to keep building bridges between Africa’s most creative talents.