Central Cee

Central Cee brings a brazen yet conscientious perspective to the hardened UK drill scene. Born Oakley Neil H.T. Caesar-Su in 1998, he was raised in the Shepherd’s Bush suburb of West London. At 13, he began making music that was heavily influenced by the late 2Pac, and further honed his mic skills by listening to contemporary rap juggernauts J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Initially attracted to the melodic UK trapwave sound of the late 2010s, Cee embraced drill production on 2020’s “Loading,” a boastful song that doubled as an open space for him to reflect on his harsh come-up. Central Cee’s debut mixtape, 2021’s Wild West, saw the MC making revelatory confessions on tracks like the standout “Commitment Issues.” The 2022 single “Doja,” which sampled Eve and Gwen Stefani’s 2001 hit “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” highlighted his ability to craft clever songs that connect with his insatiable audience. With the Drake-assisted “On The Radar Freestyle” and “Sprinter” with fellow UK rapper Dave—both released in 2023—Central Cee’s artistic reach has expanded from regional to global.