Artist: Central Cee
Yo, what’s poppin’? Rap Wrap here, keeping it real with the hottest vibes straight outta the UK rap scene. Today, we’re vibin’ with the journey of a true legend in the making—Central Cee.
From Shepherd’s Bush to UK Rap Royalty
My man Central Cee, born Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, has been setting the UK rap scene ablaze with his unique flow and unbreakable grind. Born on June 4, 1998, in Ladbroke Grove, London, this young king hustled his way from Shepherd’s Bush straight to the top of the charts.
The Early Days
Central Cee’s roots run deep in London’s vibrant culture. His mom, Rachel Caesar, met his dad—a dude with Chinese and Guyanese heritage—when she was just 15. Despite family splits and financial struggles, Central Cee found his escape in music. His dad schooled him on American hip-hop, while the sounds of reggae and dancehall from Notting Hill Carnival seeped into his soul.
Writing poetry and raps as a kid, Central Cee was already showing off his talent to his mom and social worker, planting the seeds of his future career. School wasn’t his thing, but the streets and studios became his real classrooms. By 14, after getting kicked out of his mom’s place, he was already recording tracks, inspired by a mate’s studio session.
Breakout and Rise
Central Cee started spitting fire on platforms like BL@CKBOX and Charlie Sloth’s Fire in the Streets. Early joints like “Pull Up” and “Ain’t On Nuttin Remix” showcased his raw skill. But it was his switch to a UK drill sound in 2020 that made him stand out.
Tracks like “Day in the Life” and “Loading” hit the scene like bombs, racking up millions of views on GRM Daily. His debut mixtape, Wild West, dropped in March 2021, peaking at number two on the UK Albums Chart. With bangers like “Commitment Issues,” Central Cee was officially on the map.
Dominating the Charts
2022 was Central Cee’s year. His track “Doja” hit number two on the UK Singles Chart and became the most streamed UK rap song on Spotify. His second mixtape, 23, dropped in February 2022, claiming the top spot on the UK Albums Chart.
But Central Cee wasn’t stopping there. Linking up with Dave, they dropped “Sprinter” in June 2023, which became his first UK number-one single and set records for the longest-running number-one rap song in UK history. Their joint EP, Split Decision, was a massive hit, cementing Central Cee’s place as a top-tier artist.
Fashion and Influence
Central Cee’s influence goes beyond music. Known for his streetwear style—tracksuits, puffer jackets, and skull caps—he’s a trendsetter in the British fashion scene. In 2023, he launched his own streetwear brand, Syna World, using guerrilla marketing to rival big names like Corteiz and Trapstar.
Modeling for Drake’s Nike X Nocta collection and campaigns for Jaquemus and JD Sports further highlight his versatility and appeal.
Artistic Evolution
Starting with British hip-hop and trapwave, Central Cee evolved his sound to embrace the gritty vibes of UK drill. His melodic and upbeat approach sets him apart in the drill scene, and his inspirations from legends like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Jay-Z shine through in his work.
The Latest Collab: Wave
Central Cee’s latest banger, “Wave,” dropped just a few weeks ago and it’s already making serious waves. Teaming up with Nigerian sensation Asake, their track blends UK drill with Afrobeats. The synergy between Central Cee’s raw London grit and Asake’s smooth Nigerian vibes is pure fire, showing once again that Central Cee is a versatile artist with global appeal.
The Legacy Continues
Central Cee’s journey is far from over. With multiple awards, including wins at the MOBO Awards for Best Newcomer and Best Male Act, his star continues to rise. In 2022, he became the first UK rapper to hit 1 billion Spotify streams in a single year. Collaborations with heavyweights like J. Cole, Lil Baby, and international stars like The Kid LAROI and Jungkook are proof of his global reach.
Central Cee is a force to be reckoned with, representing the raw, authentic voice of London’s streets. Keep your ears to the ground and your eyes on Central Cee—this legend is just getting started. Peace!
