Central Cee has solidified his place as one of the biggest names in global rap, yet he has waited eight years to release his debut album ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ – a decision that underscores the changing landscape of the music industry.
This long-awaited project follows a period of immense growth for the London rapper, marked by eight Top 10 singles, two EPs, and six MOBO Awards. Thus, the anticipation surrounding this album is reflected in the lyrics of ‘No Introduction’, where he states “Won’t lie, I been on the grind”, hinting at the years of preparation leading up to this release.
BBC Radio 1 and 1XTRA DJ Kenny Allstar suspects this was the rapper’s plan all along. Reflecting on the fast-paced nature of the modern music industry, he marked: “[Central Cee] understood we’re in a singles market. Let’s call it ‘fast food music’. The younger generation, they’re not always ready to sit down and listen to a whole in-depth project because we’re getting so much music at such a rapid rate.”
Kenny suggested that Cee’s been strategically “biding his time” to build momentum until “fans are ready and gagging for the project, the album.”
This release not only highlights the dominance of singles in the market (particularly with the TikTok-driven era, which Cee has become renowned for leveraging) but shows that despite this, there is still a space for albums in today’s industry. While hit singles are key to expanding an artist’s reach, an album cements this fan base by allowing listeners to connect with artists on a deeper level.
As music journalist Daisy Carter noted: “With the rise of streaming people can flick between individual songs in a way that they never used to be able to when they were just buying records. But the album format is a way for artists to really execute an artistic vision and tell a story.”
For Central Cee, the story he conveyed through the 17-track record is one that resonates deeply within the Rap genre: the stark contrast of his life before and after fame. The album opener, ‘No Introduction’, sets the stage for this narrative, exploring his whirlwind transformation since his first hit in June 2020. Throughout the album, confident and high-energy tracks like ‘BAND4BAND’ are juxtaposed with introspective moments on songs like ‘Now We’re Strangers’.
This depiction of fame, achieved at an unprecedented pace, reflects a larger trend in the music industry. Artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan have also experienced meteoric rises, aided by social media’s ability to allow worldwide streaming and foster direct connections between artists and fans.
Part of Central Cee’s global success is due to his ability to break into the American rap scene, evident from his three platinum singles in the U.S with ‘BAND4BAND’, ‘Sprinter’, and ‘Doja’. This album further emphasises his international appeal, featuring more collaborations with American artists than British ones such as No.6 on the UK Single Chart ‘GBP’, a collaboraiton with Atlanta’s 21 Savage.
Despite this, Cench remains deeply tied to his British roots, guiding his narrative throughout the album. Addressing the challenges of UK gang culture in songs like ‘Limitless’, he demonstrates that this issue continues to affect him despite his immense success.
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Tracks like ‘CRG’ and ‘Ten’ anchor the album in the UK’s Rap and Grime scenes. ‘CRG’ sees Cench and Dave reflecting on fame and their ascent in the industry, a collaboration which has previously shattered records with ‘Sprinter’ and promises much more to come. Meanwhile, ‘Ten’ pairs grime pioneer Skepta with the young rap champion, their signature smooth flows highlighting the pair’s similarities despite their generational differences.
The final track, ‘Don’t Know Anymore’, serves as a poignant conclusion to the album offering a rare glimpse into Cee’s personal life. In this deeply introspective piece, he reflects on his upbringing, mental health challenges, and the burdens of fame, admitting “I get more money, more problems now, I had less to worry ‘bout when I was broke.”
TRACKLIST pic.twitter.com/QxqOCyYoLR — Central Cee (@centralcee) January 21, 2025
Overall, ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ balances moments of self-reflection with bursts of high energy intensity. Bright snares and kick-heavy beats provide a cohesive foundation, though this consistency occasionally causes tracks to blur together. This creates a stark contrast between the record’s moments of stylistic experimentation and Cench’s signature sound. The album weaves together themes of success, struggle, violence, and love – often through a lens of objectification – offering fans a deeper understanding of the globally acclaimed British rapper.
Rather than sparking his career, Central Cee’s debut album solidifies his international fame, offering a chance to reflect on the evolving music industry and its evolution with technology.
