Latest news with #Can'tRushGreatness
Time Out
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Central Cee at London's O2 Arena: start time, tickets, potential setlist and what you need to know
London's very own Central Cee is playing a huge show in the capital this week. Cench is swapping west London (he was born in Ladbroke Grove and grew up in Shepherd's Bush) for the southeast with a tour stop at Greenwich's O2 Arena – and it's the only London date on his Can't Rush Greatness World Tour. Central Cee's tour follows the release of his long-awaited debut album Can't Rush Greatness, and it's a full-blown, true-to-the-name world tour. The chart-topping rapper is currently on the tour's European leg, and he'll eventually head off to North America and Australasia. Heading to see Central Cee at the O2 this week? Here's everything you need to know, from timings and a potential setlist to remaining ticket availability. When is Central Cee playing at London's O2? Central Cee's London show on the Can't Rush Greatness World Tour is on Thursday April 24 2025. What are the timings? Doors open to the venue at 6.30pm, though the O2's restaurants and bars will be open before that. Judging from previous tour spots, expect Central Cee to come on stage at around 8.45pm – though, as always, get down early to avoid disappointment. Curfew is 11pm. What's the setlist? For an idea of what Cench could play in London, here's the setlist from Manchester earlier in the tour (according to Limitless 5 Star Day in the Life 6 For 6 Cold Shoulder Ruby Commitment Issues Loading Patrick's Ten Play Video GBP (Central Cee & 21 Savage cover) Obsessed With You Did It First (Ice Spice & Central Cee cover) Me & You Mrs gen z luv Now We're Strangers (with Kamal.) LET GO Tek Tek (Dystinct cover) SPIDER (GIMS cover) 2MS (with Nemzzz) Dilemma (with Nemzzz) Doja Truth in the Lies Overseas (D‐Block Europe cover) Must Be CRG UK Rap (Dave & Central Cee cover) Sprinter (Dave & Central Cee cover) BAND4BAND (Central Cee, Lil Baby cover) No Introduction Who is supporting? Support hasn't been confirmed, though the tour is billed as Central Cee 'plus special guests'. In Manchester Cench was joined onstage by rapper Nemzzz. Can I still get tickets for Central Cee at London's O2? Last time we checked, there were tickets remaining for the show, on AXS here from around £50 and Ticketmaster here from around £80.
Telegraph
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Central Cee, Birmingham Utilita Arena: UK's biggest breakthrough rapper dwarfed by a too-big venue
When Central Cee concluded his previous tour at London's Alexandra Palace in November 2022, he admitted that 'I wish I had more hits'. Fast-forward to the first UK date of his new arena-sized run, and the west London rapper (real name Oakley Caesar-Su) can consider that wish at least partly granted. No longer an up-and-comer with a scant back catalogue, he's now unquestionably UK rap's biggest breakthrough artist, laying claim to billions of streams, multiple Brit nominations, the most streamed UK rap song of all time (2023's Sprinter), and a recent debut album – Can't Rush Greatness – that topped the UK charts and made a splash across the pond. But Birmingham's Utilita Arena – utilitarian by nature, too – threatened to swallow whole Cee's slender presence on Friday night. His rap is a tempered version of UK drill, which operates on dark realism and relentless pace: intensity that would compel a small, sweaty room, but got lost in the vast arena space. Not that the moshing fans at the front seemed to notice. 'This is not a show for the mainstream fans, for the new fans. I'm coming for the day ones,' warned Cee, after emerging from a car parked on stage beneath industrial scaffolding that doubled as that most overdone of set designs: a house interior. A fanfare of sirens and blue lights heralded his arrival: stage production that leaned into the starkness of UK drill, but also into its stereotypes. He began with two tracks from the new album, a record crammed with equally textbook zero-to-hero tales and laddish boasts about girls and money. Yet there's a vulnerability to his verses, such as opener Limitless's quiet disclosure: 'I put up the bread for my broski's funeral / that was my first time booking a hearse.' This is, after all, a rapper who insists on scented candles backstage, who performs with uncommon solemnity. Still, he warmed up as the evening progressed, playing up to his good looks – the kind that belong on teenage bedroom walls. A young crowd, many accompanied by parents, turned the arena into a hall of tiny mirrors with their phones. Cee followed suit during social media ode Gen Z Luv, using his phone to broadcast a live FaceTime call on the big screens. He provided plenty of material for the 'day ones', too: 2020 breakthrough hits Day in the Life and Loading, Commitment Issues, rapped along to by the crowd, and 2022 viral international smash Doja. He eschewed his usual tracksuit for a white vest, blue jeans, and red bandana for the latter: an outfit that nodded to his notable success in the US, where he far outstrips peers Stormzy and Dave. 'Nobody else from London's gone Hollywood,' he brags on the title track of Can't Rush Greatness, which he performed slouched across a throne, sporting his now trademark jumbo diamond-encrusted chain with its pendant of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Despite these instances of flamboyance – pyrotechnic also featured heavily all night – this was a high-budget show that felt curiously low-budget. The starkness may have been intentional, but the arena setting engulfed Cee's more vulnerable and profound moments. It didn't help that the venue was only about two-thirds full. Maybe you can rush greatness, after all.
Euronews
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Central Cee makes MOBO history by becoming first artist to win Best Male Act three times
Central Cee has made history at the MOBO Awards, which celebrate Black music and culture, becoming the first artist to win Best Male Act three times. The West London rapper now holds seven MOBO trophies - tying with Stormzy as the most decorated rapper in the awards' history. His reaction? Understated as ever. While not present at the ceremony, which took place in Newcastle, he posted a screenshot of the announcement on Instagram, captioning it: 'that's nice.' Last month, Cench dropped his highly anticipated debut album, Can't Rush Greatness, which debuted at No.1 on the UK Albums Chart (read our review of it here). He's also up for three BRIT Awards, including Best Artist and Song of the Year. Bashy, returning after a 15-year hiatus, took home Best Album and Best Hip-Hop Act. Darkoo beat out heavyweights like Raye and Jorja Smith to claim Best Female Act, while Nigerian star Ayra Starr made history as the first African woman to win Best International Act and the first woman in 16 years to take home Best African Music Act. Meanwhile, dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, recently freed after his murder conviction was overturned, was honoured with the MOBO Impact Award - and he's already gearing up for a major comeback, with a Wireless Festival performance confirmed for this summer. Other genre awards saw 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective named Best Jazz Act, Scorcher win Best Grime Act, Pozer take Best Drill Act, and TSHA claim Best Electronic/Dance Act. FULL LIST OF MOBO 2025 WINNERS: Best male act - Central Cee Best female act - Darkoo Best newcomer - Odeal Album of the year - Bashy, Being Poor Is Expensive Song of the year - Darkoo feat. Dess Dior, Favourite Girl Video of the year - Mnelia, My Man Best hip-hop act - Bashy Best grime act - Scorcher Best drill act - Pozer Best R&B/Soul act - Odeal Best media personality - 90s baby show Best African music act - Ayra Starr Best performance in a TV show/ film - Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire Best electronic/ dance music act - TSHA Best gospel act - Annatoria Best jazz act - Ezra Collective Best producer - Juls Best Caribbean music act - Shenseea Best alternative music act - ALT BLK ERA Best international act - Ayra Starr MOBO paving the way award - Denise Lewis MBE MOBO impact award - Vybz Kartel
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Central Cee becomes joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history
Central Cee has become the joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history after winning best male act at the 2025 event. The 26-year-old is now tied with Stormzy on seven awards, after winning the best male award for the second year in a row at Tuesday's awards ceremony in Newcastle. The London-born star, whose real name is Oakley Caesar-Su, is best known for the songs Sprinter featuring Dave, and solo single Doja, and released his debut solo album Can't Rush Greatness in January 2025. Elsewhere, singer-songwriter Ayra Starr became the first African woman to win best international act, and the first woman to win best African music act in 16 years. Best female act went to British-Nigerian rapper and singer Darkoo, who also won song of the year for Favourite Girl featuring Dess Dior. German-born artist Odeal scooped best newcomer along with best R&B or soul act, while 40-year-old actor and rapper Bashy won best album for Being Poor Is Expensive, and also took home best hip hop act. Video of the year went to Mnelia for My Man, which was directed by Femi Bello, while best performance in a TV show or film was awarded to actor and musician Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire. Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis was honoured with the paving the way award, which is aimed at celebrating those who have paved the way for future generations in sport, entertainment and culture. Former Mercury Prize winners in 2023, Ezra Collective won the best jazz act award. Best grime act went to Scorcher, best drill act was won by Pozer, best electronic dance music act was given to TSHA, best gospel act went to Annatoria, Shenseea scooped best Caribbean music act, and best alternative act was won by ALT BLK ERA. Best media personality was won by 90s Baby Show, a comedy podcast exploring the mind of a 90s baby, while best producer went to Juls. Jamaican dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel was honoured with the impact award, which is given to an artist who has been a pioneer in their genre. The ceremony saw performances from rock duo Nova Twins, British hip hop duo Krept And Konan, and award winners Odeal, Darkoo and Bashy. Mobo Awards 2025: Access All Areas airs on BBC One on February 21 at 11.25pm.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Central Cee becomes joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history
Central Cee has become the joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history after winning best male act at the 2025 event. The 26-year-old is now tied with Stormzy on seven awards, after winning the best male award for the second year in a row at Tuesday's awards ceremony in Newcastle. The London-born star, whose real name is Oakley Caesar-Su, is best known for the songs Sprinter featuring Dave, and solo single Doja, and released his debut solo album Can't Rush Greatness in January 2025. Elsewhere, singer-songwriter Ayra Starr became the first African woman to win best international act, and the first woman to win best African music act in 16 years. Best female act went to British-Nigerian rapper and singer Darkoo, who also won song of the year for Favourite Girl featuring Dess Dior. German-born artist Odeal scooped best newcomer along with best R&B or soul act, while 40-year-old actor and rapper Bashy won best album for Being Poor Is Expensive, and also took home best hip hop act. Video of the year went to Mnelia for My Man, which was directed by Femi Bello, while best performance in a TV show or film was awarded to actor and musician Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire. Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis was honoured with the paving the way award, which is aimed at celebrating those who have paved the way for future generations in sport, entertainment and culture. Former Mercury Prize winners in 2023, Ezra Collective won the best jazz act award. Best grime act went to Scorcher, best drill act was won by Pozer, best electronic dance music act was given to TSHA, best gospel act went to Annatoria, Shenseea scooped best Caribbean music act, and best alternative act was won by ALT BLK ERA. Best media personality was won by 90s Baby Show, a comedy podcast exploring the mind of a 90s baby, while best producer went to Juls. Jamaican dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel was honoured with the impact award, which is given to an artist who has been a pioneer in their genre. The ceremony saw performances from rock duo Nova Twins, British hip hop duo Krept And Konan, and award winners Odeal, Darkoo and Bashy. Mobo Awards 2025: Access All Areas airs on BBC One on February 21 at 11.25pm.
