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South African hip hop has found itself in the middle of a heated online discussion after comments surrounding African tours sparked strong reactions from both fans and industry figures. Audiomarc, the well-known DJ and close collaborator of Nasty C, didn’t hold back when addressing remarks that downplayed the significance of tours across the continent.
“Someone said fvck African Tours,” Audiomarc wrote in a post that quickly caught attention, adding an emotional cry-laugh emoji to highlight his disbelief. He followed with a statement that struck a nerve in the ongoing conversation: “If these are the people you expect to take SA hip hop to the next level, then whoopty doo.”
The response came after debates surrounding Nasty C’s touring history resurfaced online. Some users had pointed out that critics once undermined the rapper’s moves when he toured Australia years ago, not realizing the groundwork it laid for global expansion. A shared poster of Nasty C’s Perth show illustrated this moment, where voices reminded the culture that small international dates often become the blueprint for larger world tours.
However, not everyone saw it the same way. One user argued that without the financial backing of a major record label, global ambitions would be difficult to achieve, suggesting that the days of “spoonfeeding” artists were over. This comment added fuel to the debate, hinting at the role of independence versus label support in taking South African hip hop to greater heights.
Audiomarc swiftly countered this perspective, clarifying that Nasty C had not been relying on label-driven tours. “He’d be stuck in 360 deals like ya’ll assumed all these years,” Audiomarc fired back, adding, “Ivyson been funding all his tours since day one.” His words emphasized the self-sufficiency behind Nasty C’s movements, a point that challenged long-standing assumptions within the industry.
The exchange has since become one of the most talked-about moments on social platforms, with fans split between questioning the sustainability of independent touring and defending African tours as a crucial steppingstone for international recognition. What began as a single dismissive remark about African tours has grown into a full-blown discussion about the direction of South African hip hop and the sacrifices required to push it forward.
As the debate continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: the conversation around tours, independence, and hip hop’s global rise has once again placed Nasty C and his circle at the heart of industry headlines.
