Can't Rush Greatness? Zainab says 4/5

Not to worry—Central Cee is exactly who he says he is. On Friday January 24th, the West London-bred rapper released his long-awaited debut album, Can’t Rush Greatness. Cench made fans wait nearly three years for the 17-track project, but as the title suggests, it was worth every minute.

Despite the magnitude of his global success, Central Cee still possesses the same grit and authenticity that defined his sophomore mixtape, Wild West. With every new release, his confidence continues to soar—and he has the numbers to back it up. On Spotify alone, Cench averages over 28 million monthly listeners. His self-assuredness is evident right from the album’s opening lines where he raps: “no introduction needed/ but girls still ask what my name is/ tryna pretend they don’t know who Cee is/ like / like any time I get on the mic it don’t cover a hundred regions.”

The next 45 minutes consist of diverse collaborations, a range of flows, and an impressive blend of UK drill with trap and hip-hop—in other words, classic Central Cee. The album is packed with heavy hitters, featuring Puerto Rican rapper and singer-songwriter Young Miko ("Gata”), Lil Baby (“BAND4BAND”), 21 Savage (“GBP”), Lil Durk (“Truth In The Lies”), and the king of British grime, Skepta (“Ten”).

Cench and Dave reunited for the album’s title track, “CRG” in their first collaboration since their renowned EP Split Decision and its global anthem, “Sprinter.” I’m not going to lie—I was nervous when I got to this one. They set the bar high back in 2023, but I can confidently report that they’ve only raised it. While “Sprinter” proved that Dave and Cench can have fun in the studio, “CRG” showed us that it’s not always “a life of squintin.” The track introduces a slower flow, a hypnotic drumbeat, and introspective lyrics—showcasing the best of both Cench and Dave.

Amidst the heat, Can’t Rush Greatness still maintains a strong sense of self, vulnerability, and conscientiousness reminiscent of ”Cold Shoulder.” On “Limitless” Cench confesses: “I say I’m alright but I’m stressed within/ deep breaths won’t help with the mess I’m in/ I hope my good deeds outweigh all the f*ckery/ I’m tryna repent my sins.”

Whether or not you’re a fan of Central Cee, I have no doubt that Can’t Rush Greatness is worth your time and your streams. I’d suggest putting in the work to get familiar with the project by the time the streets open up. It’s giving the year of Cench.

Curious about what else Zainab is into? Get updates at shelf.im/zjaffa