ALBUM REVIEW
26/01/2025 - CentraL cEE, CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS
Source: Jack Bridgland.
Words By Jord Hailwood
Central Cee is one of the most exciting rappers to emerge within the UK in the last five years. The 26 year old rapper from West London is like no other, known for his viral hits such as Day in the Life, Obsessed With You and Doja. The rapper’s debut album has obviously been very highly anticipated.
My biggest praise regarding Central Cee, also known as Cench, is that he is very direct. He is extremely upfront with his lyricism and doesn’t shy away from acknowledging he’s accomplished a lot so early on in his career.
His confidence and assurance are proclaimed early on in the first track, No Introduction. He raps ‘Like any time I get on the mic, it don’t cover one-hundred regions // all of the moves that I make in America, making it easier for them’. Cench happily vocalises what he has contributed to UK rap on an international scale. This has been proven as he has managed to bag features from high-profile rappers such as 21 Savage, Dave and Skepta on this album. Central Cee can arguably be deemed as an inspiration.
As the album proceeds, Cench continues to project his self-assurance within his rap ability. These similar narratives can be recognised on tracks such as 5 Star, Top Freestyle and CRG. Despite the recognition and somewhat gloat Central Cee has about his success, he still remains grateful as he reminds us about his humble beginnings. He tells his listeners that ‘we ain't got generational wealth’ on GBP featuring 21 Savage - a catchy phrase that was also mentioned on his summer 2023 anthem Sprinter with Dave.
This album is very heavily centred around macho energy. Despite multiple mentions of Central Cee’s commercial and critical success, he also claims he’s never short of female attention. However, this narrative takes a switch when he raps on Now We’re Strangers. Supposedly about his on-and-off relationship with TikToker, Madeline Argy, Cench displays his vulnerable side on this track.
With this, he publicly expresses his regrets about his relationship with Madeline, stating that he ‘should have showed you off more, never kept you hidden’. Central Cee can and should be applauded here for proving that he is challenging traditional conventions in rap. He is showcasing that his music is not always drill-heavy, but can also contain lyrics that have a more intimate focus.
Central Cee is one of the most talented rappers in the UK. His commercial success is something we have never witnessed before from a UK artist of his genre, or in my lifetime at least. I believe this album is not only a great starting point, but also the beginning of an unseen-before legacy.
Favourite tracks: No Introduction, Top Freestyle and Now We’re Strangers.
Rating: 4/5
