All the years of work that Central Cee put into his career were validated with the first three words of the album.
Words are always more powerful when there is solidified truth behind them, and that’s what Cench has been able to do since 2020. He’s more than arrived on the scene, he’s basking in its glory.
The Shepherd’s Bush native managed to secure two #1 projects without being signed to a label. That’s only done by making authentic music and developing a strong core audience. A formula that Cench & his manager Ybeez have mastered the recipe for.
Even though they put in the work for years for this, it was already known that greatness couldn’t be rushed. And just like a great Nipsey album, this project was simply a victory lap for Cench & his fans.
“It’s a full-circle moment
I come out the Nike HQ with a shoe deal.”
The album has now been out for over a month, and I’m finally ready to give my honest thoughts.
Enough talking. Let’s get into it.
“THE YSN REVIEW”
- Don’t Know Anymore
- Limitless
- St. Patrick’s
- No Introduction
- CRG ft. Dave
- 5 Star
- Now We’re Strangers
- Must Be
- Walk In Wardrobe
- BAND4BAND ft. Lil Baby
- Top Freestyle
- Up North
- Ten ft. Skepta
- GBP ft. 21 Savage
- Gata ft. Young Miko
- Gen Z Luv
- Truth In The Lies ft. Lil Durk
Just like I stated earlier, this album was a victory lap for all of the doubters. If anyone felt like Cench still needed to prove something, then they must’ve been living under a cave for the last five years.
Usually as an artist when you’re dropping your debut album there aren’t a lot of expectations for the music itself. However, since his last two projects went #1 (“23” & “Split Decision” with Dave) all of the fans were waiting to see if it would deliver on that same level.
The album went on to sell 37k units in its first week and landing at #9 on the Billboard 200 charts. This was the highest ever charting position for a UK rapper in the Billboard 200 charts.
On CRG, Cench tackled many topics and adversities he’s faced since becoming this big name. Survivor’s guilt, relationship issues & being able to laugh in the face of the non-believers.
“Pinch myself, I feel like I’m dreaming
But I’m not asleep, I’m wide awake”
On one of my favorite tracks, “Limitless” he talks about having to put money up for his friend’s funeral but still understanding to be grateful in his position despite the horrible loss.
My favorite ever Cench song is “Cold Shoulder”. He talks about making it out of the dire situations he was in & beating the “one-hit wonder” allegations. I find some parallel’s from that song in my favorite from this album, “Don’t Know Anymore”.
I’ve always said that my favorite songs are the ones where the artists are truly vulnerable on the track with their real feelings. And on this one in particular Cench goes over everything that has gone on/is going on in his life. From heartbreak, to family issues, to reminiscing on the older days, it’s the perfect outro to the album.
There is a feeling of confusion and being lost throughout the track. He talks about feeling like despite all his riches & success, he still doesn’t feel truly in control.
“I keep makin’ dumb decisions like I don’t have control of my thoughts”
And a few lines later, he talks about how his own friends are telling him to leave home, which would only make the same survivor’s guilt he talked about in “Limitless” just grow even more.
At the end of the track, he talks about one of his friends turning on him despite bringing him around the world on tour. The feelings of jealousy, envy & greed will always be one of the main catalysts in the destruction of a friendship or relationship. And that’s what clearly happened in this situation.
Lastly, I want to highlight a specific line from the outro.
“Whatever’s meant to be will be, I can’t turn back time or dwell on the past”
That line right there summarizes the whole album for me, and honestly, it’s a good message to have in life in general. We’re all stuck in a continuous cycle of work and sometimes we get lost in that, missing out on appreciating the fruits of our labor or crucial quality time with loved ones.
In reality, whatever happens, you can turn back time or think about what could’ve been. You just have to keep going and cherish the present.
My friend Khalil always says, “what could’ve been, will never be.”
Don’t get lost in the hypotheticals and the comparisons. Learn how to appreciate and love yours, and happiness will come.
Until next time, this is YSN, signing out.
