In what has been a dormant period for mainstream UK Rap over the past two years, one man has risen above his competitors and delivered multiple global hits. A slow start to Central Cee’s career meant that it was only around the turn of the decade that the West Londoner really started to gain traction with a wider audience. His fresh take on drill coupled with memorable one liners and a sharp, concise delivery resonated with rap fans in the UK and beyond; achieving viral success with the audacious ‘DOJA’, as well as his collaborations with Dave and Drake on ‘Sprinter’ and ‘On The Radar Freestyle’ respectively. 

After ten years in the game, a number one mixtape, and another which landed in the top ten, Central Cee is ready to unleash his debut album. ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ is an apt title for the project given the drawn-out wait, but the rapper wastes no time in getting into his pocket on ‘No Introduction’. The opener delivers with cinematic production, as Cench sets the scene for the rest of the project, boldly flexing his muscles after his newfound international acclaim.

The dichotomy between the artist’s global stature and his inherent Britishness make for an ongoing theme across the album. It’s something he’s played up in the past, as evidenced by his ‘LA Leakers’ freestyle, which successfully helped him bridge the gap across the Atlantic. ‘5 Star’ features an emphatic outro from esteemed UK DJ Kenny Allstar, while you can hear a tube announcement to Shepherd’s Bush Market on ‘Must Be’. This transatlantic feel is perhaps most apparent on ‘St Patrick’s’, where Central Cee blends a sample of Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘C.R.E.A.M’ over drill notes, a reference to Sports Direct, and an affected pronunciation of ‘bottle of water’.

At times it’s overdone, as Central Cee indulges his ever expanding fan base: ‘Gen-Z Luv’, one of the few lead singles for the album, stands out as a track that lacks lyrical heft, instead feeling like an almost cynical grab at virality. For the most part, Central Cee toes the line well, delivering punchy wordplay across soundscapes that complement his style. Another lead single, ‘GBP’ featuring 21 Savage, is a perfect example of his ability to deliver quality music whilst appealing to all parties. Cench reworks the ‘UK/AK’ bar that features in his ‘One by One’ COLORS performance, making references to Paid In Full and American Gangster; 21 dovetails with his counterpart, delivering one of the best guest highlights on the project. The hotly-anticipated title track ‘CRG’, featuring Dave, also delivers. Sonically inspired by Baile funk, Central Cee unleashes a fierce tirade on the hook, coupled with a slower, more methodical delivery from Santan. 

Skepta and Young Miko also impress in their cameo roles, the latter allowing the lead artist to continue to expand his sonic repertoire over bouncy, Latin-influenced production. ‘Ten’, with Skepta, appears to be a passing of the torch moment to the next gen. There’s no doubting Cench’s admiration for one of the most important figures in UK Rap over the past decade and beyond – alluding to him on ‘Limitless’, including a snippet of an interview with Big Smoke on ‘Must Be’. Skepta’s collaborations with Drake and A$AP Rocky in the 2010s were a breakthrough moment that put UK Rap on the map globally. There’s no doubting Central Cee has managed to dominate the space that his predecessor created.

This isn’t to say Central Cee can’t carry a track by himself. The aforementioned ‘Limitless’ sees him at his most powerful and potent, coming through with a charged up delivery that contrasts with the more mellow intro and outro. Elsewhere, ‘Top Freestyle’ fittingly sees Cench at the top of his game, delving into the hypocrisy of label executives and how he first came into contact with crack cocaine at the age of 18.

It’s refreshing to hear the more introspective, human side of this artist, peeking behind the facade of this colossal hitmaker. There are multiple references across the project to him being raised in a single parent household and the struggles that brought to his family. On ‘Now We’re Strangers’ he details his immaturity in his previous relationships with an impeccable hook offered up by Kamal; album closer, ‘Don’t Know Anymore’, details his struggles with grief and heartbreak, as well as the isolation that his extreme fame brings with it. 

Central Cee is an artist who is incredibly marketable and at times this comes at a hindrance to his art. It’s perhaps telling on ‘Walk In Wardrobe’ that he doesn’t care if this album is viewed as a classic. He’s stumbled upon a winning formula, been able to deliver calculated, inoffensive pieces of work designed and destined for ‘For You’ Pages worldwide. Still, for every ‘BAND4BAND’ there are twice as many offerings on this album that demonstrate the talent he possesses. 

Central Cee does an excellent job at positioning himself as an artist without borders, in addition to positioning himself as a homegrown rapper with countless nods to his roots and his heritage. While there are moments that lack substance, ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ also provides some of the best music of Cench’s career thus far. Central Cee went into this project carrying the belt of a UK Rap mainstream heavyweight, with ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ he’s managed to retain that title. 

8/10

Words: Joe Simpson

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