We spoke about community, London, and style with one of the defining British rappers of his generation.
With Wild West (2021), Central Cee delivered the highest-charting UK rap project ever on the Billboard 200. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in the modern British scene and in global rap. The young artist from Shepherd’s Bush has come a long way from his tough childhood in West London. From Doja to Sprinter and No Pain, his hybrid style, a fusion of UK drill, grime, and trap, is driven by a flow that is instantly recognizable. Across his projects, the 27-year-old rapper reveals himself without restraint through introspective and deeply personal tracks, observing his generation with a sharp yet sensitive eye.
Love, success, the bruises of fame, the pressure of early stardom: for Central Cee, writing is a cathartic act, balancing distrust and vulnerability, individuality and universality. Through his music, he paints a vivid portrait of our time, a mirror reflecting Western youth in the early 2020s: hyperconnected and relentless, suspended between dreams of instant glory and the disillusionment of a too-often dystopian future, yet still clinging to faith, resilience, and the will to move forward. Gen Z, it seems, still has much to teach us.
Thanks to his meteoric rise and the success of his latest album You Can’t Rush Greatness, the British artist continues his ascent. Adored by an entire generation, he has also captivated the fashion world, which sees in him the perfect embodiment of the Gen Z rapper. Today, he channels the laid-back coolness of Californian brand UGG, chosen to front its Autumn/Winter 2025 campaign alongside global star Rina Sawayama, stylist Jeremy Scott, and model Alton Mason. From London to the beaches of California, with Iconic From the First Step, it seems that greatness is, indeed, chasing Central Cee.
Hi Central! You’re from West London, and your music stays rooted in the city you knew before fame. How has London influenced your sound?
C.C London raised me. Shepherd’s Bush shaped the way I talk, the way I dress, even the way I think. The energy, the struggle, the people: you can’t really separate that from my music. It gave me perspective. I still move around the city the same, but fame makes it complicated. London’s home though, no matter how far I travel.
Where do you find inspiration?
C.C Just life, really. Conversations with my friends, family situations, things I see day to day, memories. I don’t sit and wait for inspiration, it comes from living. Even the negatives, they fuel the music. It’s the same across all my creative processes, not just the music. It could be the smallest thing I see whilst driving past somewhere that sparks an idea. I like things to feel real and connected to where I’m from, not forced.
There’s real attention to detail in your visual aesthetic. Do you place a lot of importance on developing your artistic direction yourself?
C.C Yeah, because that’s part of the story. If the visuals don’t match the music, it doesn’t feel right. I’m hands-on with everything — videos, styling, cover art — ’cause it needs to represent me properly. I’m not leaving that to chance.
We just launched "The Craft Issue", what does this word mean to you?
C.C Craft is patience. It’s a skill, you build it over time, and it becomes something that’s yours and yours only.
Do you feel close to that DIY, authentic, handmade approach to creation?
C.C I came up with DIY, learning as I go, building with the people around me, and that’s always gonna be part of my process. I like to be involved in as much as I can, but I also know having the right team around you is key.
You have a very sharp sense of style. What’s your relationship with fashion?
C.C Fashion’s just another way of expressing myself. I’ve been into clothes since young, keeping things clean, making it my own. Style ain’t about the price; it’s about confidence and how you put it together. I think of clothes as an extension of your skin, part of your identity, and only you know what feels best.
You’re featured in the UGG campaign “Iconic From the First Step” alongside athletes, models, musicians, and fashion designers. What inspires you about the spirit and aesthetic of this Californian brand born in Venice Beach?
C.C UGG is about confidence. It’s iconic, but it doesn’t try too hard, and I respect that. I like when brands know who they are and stick to it. That’s the same with me. Whether it’s the music or my image, it’s my whole philosophy: Live Yours.
What does community mean to you?
C.C Community is everything. Where I’m from, you rely on the people around you. It’s about support, loyalty, and building something together. Even now, I carry that with me — and you can see that I’m always with my friends and family.
Ambition seems to be a major driving force in your journey. What advice would you give to a young artist who wants to follow in your steps?
C.C Believe in yourself. Be ready to work harder than anyone else — and when you get there, spread your blessings. Stay focused. Live Yours.
