Reason Applauds Nasty C’s Freestyle Prowess As He Shares Deep Definition of What Freestyles Mean
Reason Applauds Nasty C’s Freestyle Prowess As He Shares Deep Definition of What Freestyles Mean. Renowned lyricist and veteran rapper Reason, also known as Sizwe Alakine, recently shared candid thoughts on the art of freestyling while giving flowers to one of South Africa’s top-tier talents, Nasty C.
In an engaging moment during an interview, Reason revealed his admiration for Nasty C’s freestyle catalogue, suggesting that the Durban-born rapper isn’t getting the recognition he deserves for his off-the-top brilliance.
“I can really freestyle on Nasty C’s freestyles,” Reason said. “I feel like people don’t pay attention to Nasty C’s freestyles. He is one of the few artists in South Africa who has the hardest freestyles on the internet, both locally and abroad. Nasty’s freestyles are quite dope.”
The endorsement is a weighty one, coming from a rapper known for his sharp pen and battle-tested lyricism. Nasty C has built an impressive body of work across global platforms—from Sway In The Morning to Tim Westwood—where he has delivered bar-heavy performances that straddle both authenticity and skill.
When asked about his personal definition of a freestyle, Reason broke it down with the precision of someone who lives and breathes hip-hop.
“Anything that doesn’t require you to have the same pressures as making a hit song,” he explained. “Hit songs don’t need you to be honest—freestyles need you to be honest. Hit songs need to be catchy, freestyles don’t need to be catchy.”
The distinction highlights the spiritual and creative freedom that comes with freestyling—an art form often misunderstood or overshadowed by commercial trends.
With Reason tipping his hat to Nasty C and shedding light on the emotional rawness embedded in freestyle culture, the moment doubled as a masterclass in what separates surface-level rap from true lyrical craftsmanship.
