Nasty C Responds to Claims ‘As Planned’ With Tellaman Sounds Like Don Toliver’s ‘Secondhand’

 

South African rapper Nasty C has responded to growing comparisons between his collaboration with Tellaman, “As Planned”, and Don Toliver’s “Secondhand” featuring Nigerian superstar Rema.

Listeners began highlighting similarities between the two tracks following the release of Nasty C and Tellaman’s collaborative album, T’s & C’s Apply, on 1 September 2026. Some fans questioned whether the songs might share a sample, producer or another production element. 

Nasty C has now addressed the speculation, saying the resemblance was not intentional.

According to the rapper, the artists happened to use the same producer or sample, describing the situation as a coincidence. He also indicated that “As Planned” had already been sitting in his catalogue before the comparisons emerged.

Nasty C dismisses intentional copying claims

The discussion gained traction because Don Toliver’s “Secondhand” was released earlier.

“Secondhand”, featuring Rema, appeared on Don Toliver’s OCTANE album, released on 30 January 2026. Nasty C and Tellaman subsequently released T’s & C’s Apply on 1 September. 

That release order prompted some listeners to question whether “As Planned” had been influenced by the American artist’s track.

Nasty C’s explanation, however, is that the South African song was already recorded and that the similarities resulted from overlapping production elements rather than an attempt to recreate “Secondhand”. He did not specify exactly which sample or production element the songs share.

Fans debate the similarities

The explanation has generated further discussion among music fans, with some saying they had noticed similarities between the tracks before Nasty C addressed the issue publicly.

Others suggested that the production itself could explain why the songs sound familiar.

For now, there is no indication from the sources reviewed of a formal copyright dispute between the artists. Nasty C’s public explanation centres on coincidence rather than deliberate borrowing. 

‘T’s & C’s Apply’ showcases longtime partnership

“As Planned” is the final track on the 17-song T’s & C’s Apply album.

The project represents the latest stage in a creative relationship between Nasty C and Tellaman stretching back roughly a decade. The pair have collaborated repeatedly since their early careers in Durban before eventually developing a full joint project.

The album blends hip-hop and R&B while experimenting with other sounds, with contributions from artists including Oxlade, Blxckie and crownedYung.

The debate surrounding “As Planned” has now placed one of the album’s tracks under a new spotlight, but Nasty C maintains that its resemblance to “Secondhand” was simply coincidental.