South African rap superstar Nasty C has set social media buzzing again after unveiling his current top three Ghanaian rappers — a list that noticeably leaves out Sarkodie, one of Africa’s most decorated hip-hop artists.
His remarks, made during an interview on JoyPrime TV with Roselyn Felli on Monday, November 24, have reignited long-standing conversations and revived old tensions between the two acclaimed rappers.
When asked to name his top Ghanaian rappers at the moment, Nasty C confidently placed Black Sherif at number one, praising the emotional depth and authenticity in his music. “I have to put Black Sherif up there at number one. Something about his music just speaks to me,” he stated.
He followed with Kwesi Arthur at number two, commending his lyrical style and creative growth. In third place, he named US-based Ghanaian rapper Vic Mensa, a selection he justified by pointing to Mensa’s global influence and strong connection to African artistry. Nasty C also briefly acknowledged Shatta Wale as a major force in Ghanaian music due to his massive influence, though he did not include him in the top three.
The interview took a dramatic turn when he was asked why Sarkodie — Ghana’s most awarded rapper and a continental hip-hop icon — did not appear on his list. Nasty C responded calmly but firmly, saying, “He’s definitely in the top five… but not in my top three right now.”
To many fans, this omission was not entirely surprising. There has been lingering tension between the two rappers for years. The friction reportedly began at an event where Nasty C felt snubbed when Sarkodie declined to shake his hand. Although a relatively minor incident, it sparked heated discussions among fans and created a subtle but persistent rift between the stars.
The situation escalated when Nasty C later released a song that many listeners interpreted as referencing the incident, with lines that seemed to take a dig at Sarkodie. Sarkodie eventually responded with a track of his own, intensifying speculation about a quiet feud between the two.
Because of this history, many observers believe Nasty C’s decision to exclude Sarkodie from his top three may be influenced by their unresolved issues. Still, Nasty C maintained that his list reflects his personal listening preferences “at the moment,” not a dismissal of Sarkodie’s legacy.
When asked about the possibility of a collaboration with Sarkodie, Nasty C revealed that they have still not spoken privately to clear the air. “We haven’t had that conversation… No one has organised that sit-down yet,” he said.
He added that he is open to making peace if the opportunity arises. “If it’s organised, yeah. I’m willing to smoke the peace pipe. I even said that in the song I put out.”
However, he also hinted that Sarkodie’s response track may have escalated matters instead of cooling them down. According to Nasty C, the Ghanaian rapper’s reaction was “a little spicy,” suggesting there may still be misunderstandings between them.
Nasty C’s latest remarks have reopened a broader debate within Ghana’s music scene — particularly around who currently dominates the rap landscape and whether fan loyalty should influence rankings. Social media platforms have since been flooded with discussions, with fans of both artistes weighing in on whether the list was fair, personal, or intentionally provocative.
For now, Nasty C insists that he respects Sarkodie’s craft and acknowledges him as one of Africa’s strongest rappers. But at least for the moment, he stands firm that Sarkodie does not make his top three.
Whether the two rappers will eventually meet, reconcile, and possibly collaborate remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Nasty C’s comments have once again stirred the Ghanaian hip-hop conversation — and fans are watching closely to see what happens next.
