More about: Central Cee

Whilst you’d be forgiven for expecting the second mixtape from Shepherds Bush rapper and TikTok favourite Central Cee to simply be a collection of snippable segments to soundtrack your Sephora haul, 23 manages to contravene one-hit wonder accusations and continue to establish Cench as one of the prime movers in the capital’s drill scene.

The tape begins with 'Khabib' (presumably alluding to the Russian’s undefeated UFC career and not his friendship with the internet’s favourite little person), a scything opener addressing the haters, rival artists and the ladies that "left him on read".

These themes, along with an uncontrived look at a past in chemical pedalling, are recurrent across the mixtape’s fifteen tracks. But 23 also offers moments of honesty and introspection that indicate Central Cee isn’t the mere social media phenom doubters might paint him.

‘Ungrateful’, probably the most ruminative track on the record, showcases regret for the criminal trappings that people are all too often forced into by circumstance, weighing the guilt against having a “family tree to feed”. It’s easy to criticise rap music—and drill in particular—for its candid take on gang culture, but it doesn’t take too much nuance to see the role that poverty plays in violence and crime is far greater than that of rap lyrics.

These ideas are revisited on ‘Cold Shoulder’, where Cench asserts that he “sins for the sake of progress”. There’s also a reminder to give back to your roots, and of his desire to remain selfless despite his successes.

Theres even a touch of romance on tracks like ‘Mrs’ and PinkPantheress remix ‘Obsessed With You’, the latter already a smash hit for some time that nonetheless fits into the flow of the rest of 23 with ease.

Of course, a few songs follow the pop-drill template more closely, loaded with bravado and sexual boasting, but an unexpected and very welcome surprise is the variety in the sonic palette. There are jazz undertones to ‘Terminal 5’, while ‘8 Ball’ has echoes of more classically Eastern music. ‘Cold Shoulder’ meanwhile begins with guitar strums that are not unlike something you might find on some lo-fi emo rap from the mid 2010s.

In the post-TikTok music industry Andy Warhol’s oft quoted (and likely misattributed) “15 minutes of fame” idea may seem like it could now be only 15 seconds, but Central Cee has seemingly drank that poisoned chalice and come out with his credibility unscathed. An industry plant or one hit wonder he is not—and 23 shows that amongst the more familiar drill hallmarks, Cench and team have a knack for social commentary and eclectic beats.

23 is out now.

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More about: Central Cee