The Weekly Coos

We have many great up-and-coming rappers from the UK, yet it’s disappointing that some remain too inactive, like Dave and Stefflon Don. However, I take each in stride and enjoy the music they deliver. That includes Central Cee, who presents his debut, Can’t Rush Greatness. While the bars are strong, the beats aren’t as compelling. It stems from too many credited producers, showcasing a lack of consistency. I’ve followed him since the EP Split Decisions with Dave, where you can hear this methodical approach to set himself up for the next step toward mass appeal. Collaborating with Drake, Ice Spice, and J. Cole has helped him stand out and demonstrate his pen skills, even if not all collaborations result in great final products. His quality shines through, particularly in the storytelling aspect of rapping—it feels almost natural, although he occasionally lacks interesting content on the forefront. There is more good than bad, but it suffers from trying to do too much without staying on a straight path, even with the varying highs that can amount to finding the happy medium from the music that does hit the high points.

Can’t Rush Greatness includes flexes, romantic-themed tracks, and impressive introspection. Unfortunately, it feels somewhat inconsistent, showing an artist with the potential to offer more, yet it leaves you satisfied enough to revisit the final product. The album feels slightly bloated, especially since some tracks don’t resonate strongly, but it still holds up well for a debut. He adds depth and engaging flows in his more commercially-driven tracks, despite underwhelming beats like in his collaboration with Young Miko, “Gata.” However, “Don’t Know Anymore” stands out with its unconventional approach, featuring simple instrumentation that amplifies Cee’s words. Central Cee excels when he’s not paired with a collaborator, as many appear on tracks that cater to the mainstream, like Lil Baby on “BAND4BAND,” “Truth In The Lies” with Lil Durk, Dave on “CRG,” and “Gata” with Young Miko. Yet, while “Truth In The Lies” offers a fun sample of “So Sick” by Ne-Yo and “Gata” is entertaining, it sounds more like a Young Miko track featuring Central Cee.

At 17 tracks, the album does feel bloated, especially with its brisk runtime for its scale, and it has a few forced moments. However, the highs emerge from many of his solo outings, which feel and sound more natural with the emotional depth he conveys. Whether reflecting on his life leading to this point and the hypocrisy of wanting to connect with tracks like “Limitless” and “Up North,” or flexing smoothly with tracks like “5 Star” and “St. Patrick’s,” Central Cee continues to show promise. His music is engaging; it has a certain je ne sais quoi, coming off as natural, especially in terms of emotional depth when lamenting his rags-to-riches journey. While it may not seem profound at first glance, hearing him dissect these experiences is enlightening, considering the energy he brings to these tracks. Fortunately, most of his solo ventures here are highs, with a few lows. The highs benefit from production that isn’t diluted by the varying degrees of Drill/Hip-Hop present today.

The production of Can’t Rush Greatness isn’t remarkable. However, it treads a safe line; some do emerge with enthusiasm, but given the number of credited producers, it’s safe to say there wasn’t much consideration for a sonic direction beyond the predictable. This creates limitations for the album, especially with certain featured artists, like Young Miko or Lil Durk, who could have delivered better contributions. Even when Skepta can successfully weave something impactful with “Ten,” you feel it more. The combination becomes disappointing, particularly when the final product appears to tick boxes to create a flow. Central Cee carries a lyrical weight, yet that doesn’t enhance the overall quality, highlighted by the romantic tracks that lack substance, becoming interchangeable and not something I’d revisit like “Top Freestyle” or “Walk In Wardrobe,” in favor of “Gen Z Luv.” We get some effort, but the highs far outweigh the lows.

Can’t Rush Greatness may not be memorable, but it’s still good and worth the time spent with it, especially as it presents itself as a stepping stone to potential greatness. I’m a fan of Central Cee, and despite the more memorable weaknesses, the high points outweigh them, making it sufficient for me to recommend this album to those who enjoy UK Drill but are cautious about new artists. Please provide it with a listen, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.