Central Cee
Biography
Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, known professionally as Central Cee, was born on June 4, 1998, in Ladbroke Grove, London. He is of mixed heritage, with an English mother and a father of Guyanese and Chinese descent. Raised in Shepherd's Bush, he was exposed to a diverse range of music from a young age, including hip-hop, reggae, and dancehall, which influenced his musical style. His parents separated when he was seven, and he lived with his mother and two younger brothers.
Career Beginnings
Central Cee began his journey in the music industry at the age of 14. He made an early appearance on the "Ain't On Nuttin Remix" in January 2015 and released his "StreetHeat Freestyle" the following month. In his early career, he experimented with a more auto-tuned hip-hop style before transitioning to a sound more aligned with UK drill. He released his debut EP '17' in 2018.
Rise to Prominence
The year 2020 marked a significant turning point for Central Cee with the release of his breakout singles "Day in the Life" and "Loading". These tracks, particularly "Loading," achieved commercial success and entered the UK Singles Chart. His debut mixtape, "Wild West," released in March 2021, was a major success, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart. The mixtape featured the hit single "Commitment Issues".
Continued Success and "23"
Building on his momentum, Central Cee released his second mixtape, "23," in February 2022. It became his first project to top the UK Albums Chart. The mixtape was preceded by the popular single "Obsessed with You," which reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Other notable tracks from the mixtape include "Cold Shoulder" and "Retail Therapy". Later in 2022, his single "Doja" peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and became a massively streamed UK rap song on Spotify at the time.
Global Recognition and Collaborations
Central Cee's international profile grew significantly with high-profile collaborations. In June 2023, he released "Sprinter" with Dave, which became his first UK number-one single and set a record for the longest-running number-one rap song in the UK, holding the top spot for 10 weeks. This success was followed by the collaborative EP "Split Decision" with Dave. He has also collaborated with international artists such as Lil Baby on "Band4Band," which became the highest-charting UK rap single in Billboard Hot 100 history, as well as with artists like Ice Spice and J. Cole.
Debut Album: "Can't Rush Greatness"
In January 2025, Central Cee released his highly anticipated debut studio album, "Can't Rush Greatness". The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and also made a significant impact internationally, debuting at number nine on the Billboard 200. The album features collaborations with prominent artists like 21 Savage, Dave, and Skepta. The release was promoted with a rose gold theme and collaborations with streetwear brands.
Artistry and Influence
Central Cee is recognized for his unique take on the drill genre, blending energetic tempos with more accessible lyrical themes. His music often explores his personal journey, resilience, and success. He is also known for his distinctive fashion sense, often featuring tracksuits and puffer jackets, and has launched his own streetwear brand, Syna World.