2.10.2022

Central Cee, 2021’s Biggest Breakout UK Rap Star, Shares the Video for “Khabib“

The Invigorating New Song is the Opening Track From His Upcoming 23 Mixtape, Out February 25th

With Hundreds Of Millions of Streams in the Bank and 4 Different Songs Currently on the UK Official Charts, the London Native is One of the Hottest Properties in Global Rap Music

Critical Praise:

“It’s been a busy, busy year for West London’s Central Cee. The rapper’s Wild West mixtape, released in the first half of the year, sent him jetting into the big time and things haven’t really slowed down since. A newly reopened live circuit welcomed Cench with open arms and he’s still found time for collabs with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Fredo, Oh Geesy, Blanco and quite a few more besides.” – Complex

“Gritty street-level drill from magnetic talent” – The Guardian

“Central Cee clearly has the tenacity and notoriety to resonate, while leaving room for allure; it makes his approach to the mic all the more fascinating.” – NME

“The Party-Starting Rapper Injecting Fun into Drill” – Noisey

The Video:

Rapidly rising with his relatable lyrics and stutter-stepping flow, Central Cee is one of the UK rap scene’s biggest breakthrough stars. Celebrating his artistic and commercial triumphs in the face of nonbelievers, Cench shares “Khabib,” a new music video. Named after the Russian UFC champion–whose victory speech delivered in the face of jeers is sampled on the track’s outro–”Khabib” finds the West London emcee doing a victory dance on haters’ graves over mournful strings and invigorating drill percussion. Fitting his fast-paced flow snugly atop the hi-hat pattern, Cench taunts potential partners who left him on read, brags about his tabloid exploits, and stresses how he’s built different from his competition: ““I met a lot of these rappers, and we ain’t got a lot in common,” he spits. Along with the song, Cench shares the epic new video for “Khabib,” shot in the remote cliffside woods of Snowdonia, Wales.

“Khabib” is the opening track from 23, Central Cee’s upcoming mixtape, coming out February 25th. Taking stock of his rise from Shepherd’s Bush to the top of the charts, 23 finds Cench entering his imperial mode, mixing established chart smashes with wide-ranging collaborations and athletic feats of rhyming. The tape is home to “Cold Shoulder,” Cench’s new single, which currently sits at #25 on the UK Official Charts has over 4 million Spotify streams since its late January release. “Cold Shoulder” is one of Cench’s 4 current placements on the UK Top 100, including 23 highlights “Retail Therapy” (#45, 10 million Spotify streams), and “Obsessed With You,” the PinkPantheress-sampling, #1 TikTok-trending, BRIT “Song Of The Year” nominee that generated over 100 million combined streams and peaked at #4 on the UK charts in Fall 2021. The mixtape features hard-hitting production from Young Chencs, Nastylgia, Chris Rich, Roddy Beatz, and Dave, who produces and plays piano on the album closer “End of The Beginning.”

23 follows up Wild West, Cench’s debut album, debuting at #2 on the UK Albums Chart in March 2021, earning the biggest sales of any debut in the UK in 2021. The 23-year-old artist has nearly a billion streams in the bank, buoyed by hits like “Loading” and “Commitment Issues,” and his appearance with fellow Londoner Tion Wayne on the drill remix to Ed Sheeran’s hit “Bad Habits.”

Late last year, Central Cee won Best Male Artist and Breakthrough Artist of The Year at the GRM Awards–accolades which add to his already incredible position as Spotify’s Radar Artist and YouTube’s Artist On The Rise. He’s earned co-signs from The Guardian, Pitchfork, NME, Clash, Complex, Crack, Lil Baby, Big Sean, Wizkid, Virgil Abloh and Drake, who handpicked Cench to star in Drake’s Nike NOCTA Campaign. After scoring three nominations at the BRIT Awards–for Best New Artist, Best Song and Best British Hip Hop, Rap, Grime Act–2022 is looking to be equally packed with accolades.

Riding a crest of upward momentum that shows no sign of slowing down, Central Cee looks to make major waves on both sides of the Atlantic with 23. Stay tuned for much more.

Pre-order 23: https://ada.lnk.to/Cench23

Watch “Khabib”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-wf8Yb5ZCM

Buy/Stream “Khabib”: https://ada.lnk.to/Khabib

23 Tracklist: