Latest news with #Cench
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.
The Guardian
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Central Cee review – UK rap superstar tentatively enjoys stadium success
Central Cee has exported UK rap like no one else before, by sculpting UK drill for TikTok with fast-paced, bite-sized packaging that often remixes a recognisable hit, all sealed with his steely demeanour. An influential fashion figure and Gen Z icon, his success is global and previously inconceivable. His 2023 hit Sprinter with Dave sat in pole position in the charts for 10 consecutive weeks. The crowd at Co-Op Live arena reflects his youth appeal all the way down to primary-schoolers. But while the squealing girls and balaclava-wearing boys have their fun, sometimes it feels as though the rapper is too reticent to join in. Arenas aren't suited to reserved characters, but Cench, as his fans call him, is smart enough to match the Co-Op's scale. He stands in front of a multitiered structure that, using screens, becomes an open dollhouse that tells the story of his come-up through the key places in his life, from his family home to his new pad. Unwinding into tracks from his initial mixtapes, his barbed flow rolls like a series of verbal jabs: 'Your dad left home from young / And you ain't done shit for your mum, ah man,' he berates on his breakout 2021 single Day in the Life. There being 20,000 pairs of eyes on him occasionally produces some wonderfully human moments that overcome his persona. However, if his tracks follow a formula, his performance on stage is no more mercurial. He sticks to a stiff set of hand gestures as if he's cycling through Fortnite emotes, and when guest verses are often played in their entirety, he's left clueless as to what to do on stage. There are no issues vocalising on the mic though. He is just as cosy traversing the Brazilian funk rhythm of CRG as he is the sepulchral atmospheres knocking with doom-stricken gunshot snares on St Patrick's. On an island stage, he flirts through Me & You in a black tank top and glittered snapback. Some people record on Snapchat, others resort to launching their phones on to the stage in the hopes of getting a photo from the social media king. His onscreen connection with fans defines the show, as he performs Gen Z Love through a live FaceTime with fans at the barricades. 'If it weren't for the algorithm, I wouldn't have found my woman,' he raps to the phone. Cench's biggest solo hits are thoroughly optimised to clock in at under two minutes, but on his debut album Can't Rush Greatness, he shoots for longer, verse-heavy tracks. So while tracks such as Doja are met with an almost unholy chorus of screams, the moment is over far quicker than tracks like Now We're Strangers, which are greeted with a more polite response. The show concludes with Cench hopping back in his Yaris, revealing the whole show to be a dream. If only we could relive the highlights some more. At the O2, London, on 24 April and Ovo Hydro, Glasgow, on 27 April
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Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Central Cee makes history at MOBO Awards with record-breaking win
Central Cee has made history at the MOBO Awards, becoming the first artist to be named Best Male Act three times. The UK rapper, also known as Cench, now matches Stormzy's record as the most decorated rapper in the MOBOs' history, securing his seventh award. Despite his major achievement, Central Cee did not attend the ceremony in Newcastle. Host Eddie Kadi accepted the award on his behalf, joking that they 'share everything… except royalties.' Reacting to his win on Instagram, Cench shared a simple caption: 'that's nice.' Other big winners of the night included Darkoo, who claimed Best Female Act, beating out Raye and Jorja Smith. She also won Song of the Year for Favourite Girl, her collaboration with Dess Dior. During her acceptance speech, Darkoo humorously admitted she had attempted to use ChatGPT to write her speech but opted to freestyle instead, thanking her family for their support. Bashy made a triumphant return to music after a 15-year break, winning Album of the Year for Being Poor Is Expensive and Best Hip-Hop Act. The artist, known for his acting career, reflected on his journey, encouraging aspiring musicians to persevere despite challenges. Ayra Starr made history as the first African woman to win Best International Act and became the first female artist in 16 years to claim Best African Music Act. Vybz Kartel received the MOBO Impact Award, addressing his incarceration and recent legal battles while accepting the honor. MOBO founder Kanya King, recently diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, received a surprise Paving the Way Award. She expressed gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to celebrating Black music, announcing plans for the MOBOs' 30th anniversary next year. Full List of Winners:
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Central Cee Announces His 2025 Can't Rush Greatness World Tour
Coming off the release of his acclaimed debut album, Central Cee is hitting the road for the Can't Rush Greatness World Tour. Kicking off in Norway on April 1, Cench revealed the complete 39-date global trek on Tuesday (Jan. 28). A first leg will run through Europe/U.K. which will be followed by the U.S. and then Australia. More from Billboard Hayley Williams, St. Vincent and Finneas Lead Lineup for LA Benefit Concert Latto and Playboi Carti Team Up for 'Blick Sum' Remix: Stream It Now Vans Warped Tour Announces First Wave of Artists for 2025 Return General tickets will go on sale starting on Friday (Jan. 31) at 10 a.m. local show time while artist pre-sale begins on Wednesday (Jan. 29) on his website. 'CAN'T RUSH GREATNESS WORLD TOUR,' he wrote in a post on X. 'TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY 10AM WHEREVER YOU ARE.' European stops for the tour include Norway, Denmark, Milan, Paris, London, Ireland and more. The North American leg starts in Portland on May 2 and will hit Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Montreal. Cench delivered his Can't Rush Greatness debut album on Friday (Jan. 24) which features 21 Savage, Young Miko, Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Skepta and more. The 21 Savage-assisted 'GBP' debuted at No. 92 on this week's Billboard Hot 100 chart. Cee sniped at Aitch on '5 Star,' calling out how the British rapper won an award over him at the 2023 BRITs. Aitch didn't waste much time firing back at Cench earlier this week with his 'A Guy Called?' diss track. Cench is up for a trio of 2025 BRIT Awards for Best U.K. Artist, Best Song ('Band4Band') and Best Hip-Hop & Grime.' Find all of the 2025 Can't Rush Greatness World Tour dates below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
