Central Cee, also known as Cench, marked the biggest week of his career with a No.1 Album certification from the Official Charts for his debut album ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’.
The West London rapper released his debut album eight years after his first releases, a career journey marked by eight Top 10 singles, two EPs, six MOBO Awards, and now a No.1 Album. In his track ‘No Introduction’, he reflects that he’s “been on the grind” preparing for this album, a persistent effort that has clearly paid off.
The 17-track record is a deep dive into the Rap genre, showcasing themes of success, struggle, violence, and love, while offering personal insights into his life before and after fame. Cench’s rise mirrors industry trends where artists achieve stardom at unprecedented speeds, fuelled by social media and viral hooks. He has become renowned for his skill at capitalising on social media’s appetite for catchy, trend-setting music with tracks like ‘Doja’ and ‘Commitment Issues.’
The album features collaborations with notable US rappers, including 21 Savage on ‘GBP’ and Lil Baby with ‘BAND4BAND’, showcasing his ability to break into the American rap scene and establish himself on a global stage.
Yet, he remains loyal to his British roots, which shapes the narrative of the album through tracks like ‘Limitless’ in which he discusses UK gang culture and its lasting impacts on him, even after attaining material success.
One of the most talked-about moments from the album comes from the track ‘5 Star’, where he raps, “I felt like a p**** when I went to the BRITs and they gave the award to a guy called Aitch.” This lyric sparked controversy and a swift response from Manchester rapper Aitch in his bold and witty single, ‘A Guy Called?’
Beyond the album’s success, two tracks – ‘GBP’ and ‘CRG’ - have soared into the UK Top 10 Singles Chart, with ‘Truth in the Lies’ closely following at No.13.
The album’s impact extends to the 2025 BRIT Awards, to be held in March, as it has earned nominations in three major categories: Song of the Year (‘BAND4BAND’), Artist of the Year, and Best Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act.
To commemorate this milestone, he celebrated with a signature rose gold edition of the No.1 award, a recurring motif throughout his album campaign.
Ultimately, Cench’s No.1 album certification cements the album’s impact on UK and Global Rap. With successful singles, iconic collaborations, a diss track that sparked controversy, and a worldwide tour, this No.1 achievement is the crowning moment in a career-defining week for Central Cee.
