Popular South African rapper Nasty C has shared deep insights into his past battle with alcohol addiction and the real reason he decided to quit drinking completely.

The award-winning rapper, best known for his hit single “Send Me Away”, admitted that alcohol once played a daily role in his life. According to him, he was consuming alcohol everywhere and at every opportunity until he eventually made the life-changing decision to stop.

Why Nasty C Stopped Drinking

Nasty C, whose real name is Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, explained that he chose to quit because he didn’t want to appear older than his actual age. At 28, the rapper said that the effects of alcohol could make one look much older than they really are, a belief widely shared among South Africans.

The rapper pointed out that in South Africa, there is a cultural reference known as “phuza face”. This term is used to describe the premature aging effect linked to excessive alcohol consumption, where individuals can end up looking 10 years older than their real age.

His Alcohol Addiction Struggles

Speaking in an interview with British-Nigerian media personality Madame Joyce, Nasty C opened up about how severe his drinking habits were. He admitted:

• He consumed alcohol every night without fail.
• Whether at the studio, in restaurants, or before performances, drinking became part of his routine.
• His alcohol tolerance was abnormally high, which meant he was often the last person to feel intoxicated compared to his friends.

Nasty C reflected on how dangerous this tolerance was, noting that it prevented him from realizing when things were going wrong until it was too late. While he reduced vodka consumption at some point, he still indulged in whisky, cognac, tequila, rum, and other strong drinks before deciding to completely give it up.

The Turning Point

For Nasty C, the turning point came when he realized that alcohol could accelerate aging and alter his physical appearance. He confessed:

“I gave up alcohol because I don’t want to get a ‘phuza face.’ There’s a thing in South Africa we call a ‘phuza face’ – when you age really quickly because you drink a lot of alcohol, when you start looking 10 years older than you actually are.”

This personal decision highlights how deeply image, health, and longevity influenced his lifestyle change.