Music Moose

by Daniel Adebajo

Genre(s): UK Drill, Melodic Rap, Latin Trap, Jersey Bounce

Can’t Rush Greatness (this being Central Cee’s debut full length project) is an ambitious showcasing of his evolution as an artist. Throughout its 49 minute time run, CRG maintains a clear balance of themes including loyalty, success, introspection and heartbreak. Tracks such as the Skepta assisted ‘Ten’ highlight his confidence and undeniable dominance within the UK rap scene, while title track ‘CRG’ including an appearance from Dave (with whom Cench collaborated on an EP with Mid-2024) gives Cench the room to dive into a more reflective perspective, exploring challenges that have come as a result of his rise to fame. Additionally, the project sees Cench showing a willingness to be more vulnerable about his personal struggles. This is seen evident in tracks such as “Now We’re Strangers” or even closer “Don’t Know Anymore” (in the latter Cench utters the line ‘Tryna heal but its taking time, What’s the point in life’).

The album’s strongest highlight would have to go to its diversity. Of course with an artist of his stature, his global influence is more than likely to seep through to his projects. Besides the appearances from some heavy hitters of the Western music world, CRG also contains a feature from Peurto Rico’s Young Miko placing Cench in a produciton landscape outside of his usual formula of UK Drill/Rap.

However, while CRG displays glimpses of growth told in its production and Cench’s abilities as a storyteller. These are all they are, glimpses. It lacks much depth needed for a cohesive listening experience, falling victim to repetitive subject matters and phrases as well the majority of its beat selection sounding all too familiar and uninspired. Though it may contain the “bangers” that statisfy his core audience, Can’t Rush Greatness lacks the “groundbreaking” factor expected from someone in his current position.


Positives :
	•	CRG was not oversaturated with multiple high end features like a main 
stream project would be expected to & Cench shares perfect chemistry with each.

	•	On segments of CRG, we hear Cench making some refreshing efforts to try out slower instrumentals providing an environment to explore tougher matters showcasing signs of awareness for his status i.e Heartbreak on Now We’re Strangers, Struggles of Upbringing on Limitless.

	•	Minor touches such as the Kai Cenat extract, Use of a trending beat styles samples of upcoming singers and contents of “Gen Z Luv” are testiments to his aesthetic as the “face” of current Gen Z UK rap.

	•	Cench delivers a project with highlights that definitely continue his streak of “bangers” that showcase his undeniable talent for catchy hooks.

	•	‘Up North’ captures a glimpse of Cench in peak luxury rap form with the theatrical production (similar to something from Knucks) enhancing each of his sentiments perfectly.

Negatives:

	•	The two tracks following ‘Gen Z Luv’ stretch the project length too long diminishing the full capability of a touching closer like ‘Don’t Know Anymore’

	•	A frequent appearance of DJ Kenny All Star would have been a fitting conceptual addition to the album’s production (similar to DJ Drama on Tyler’s CMIYGL)

	•	Despite efforts to be expansive with themes Cench still can be heard recycling some phrases from previous work, lowering lyrical value of few tracks (Yaris to Urus, Generational Wealth)

	•	Beat switch of Walk In Wardrobe seems  generic and forced

	•	For a debut effort especially from someone of his status, the majority Drill based beat selection presents the album as a decent listen but underwhelming and too predictable

	•	Would have loved to see another surprise type feature similar to Young Miko’s not only to flex the levels of Cench’s international reach but take the the projects’ diversity further

Standout Tracks:

5 Star, Gata, GBP, Up North, CRG, Limitless, Now We’re Strangers, Ten, Don’t Know Anymore

Best feature(s):

Young Miko on Gata, Dave on CRG, Skepta on Ten

Favourite Track Run:

Up North, CRG, Limitless

Production: 7.5/10
Songwriting: 7/10
Replay Value: 7.5/10
Performance: 7.5/10

Overall: 7.5/10

@musicmooseent