How do you conduct an interview with an artist who typically avoids them? Let me explain.
I only interview individuals that genuinely pique my interest. I want to engage with artists who produce remarkable music and advance the genre. I’m fascinated by understanding how artists create their work and documenting their impacts on culture. Leading up to the release of ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’, I felt it was a significant moment for Central Cee and the UK rap scene as a whole.
I knew that Cench usually doesn’t do interviews, but I sensed that this was the right opportunity to reach out. I got in touch with his manager Ybeez and proposed a few ideas. We exchanged messages for a couple of weeks, and eventually, a time and place for the interview were arranged. I secured five minutes at a listening event located an hour outside of London, and I took the opportunity.
You might be wondering: Five minutes? Is that all? I see it differently. It’s a starting point, and I can accomplish a lot in that time. Cench is one of the most dedicated artists I’ve encountered recently. His work ethic reminds me of Dizzee Rascal’s rise during the ‘Boy In Da Corner’ period, and his daily routine is similar to Kanye’s during the ‘Graduation’ era, with whom I’ve collaborated closely.
While it’s clear from social media that Cench travels to a different country almost daily, what’s not visible are the logistical efforts behind the scenes; the meticulous planning and attention to detail that shape his creative process. Cench is an artist who plans his releases through unconventional events. He continually looks ahead and has an innate understanding of his fans’ desires.
I managed to get into his schedule the day before ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ was released, which is probably one of the busiest times in his career. On my way to the interview, my once-reliable flash mic failed. I had to decide: either cancel the interview or be resourceful. I opted for the latter and used the voice memo app on my phone as if it were normal.
This marked my first interview with Central Cee.
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How are you feeling, bro?
Yes, Semtex! I’m doing well, man. I can’t complain.
You’re accomplishing things that have never been done before.
People have been asking me how it feels. I feel like I addressed that with someone recently. I don’t know? I guess I’m a bit desensitized to it. I’m unsure if I’m genuinely here while I’m simultaneously working. So it’s all a blur. I don’t have much downtime.
When I do, it starts to sink in. Throughout this period of success since 2020, I can count only about one or two months where I genuinely got to relax. I remember those moments of relaxation, and they began to make sense to me differently. But I’m not sure if I enjoyed it, to be honest. I’d prefer to keep working and not dwell on it. Just keep going and let time take its course.
You’re well-acquainted with hard work. You’ve been consistently grinding, having released projects like ‘23’ and ‘Wild West’. Was there any distinction with 'Can’t Rush Greatness'?
Not really. To be honest, there wasn’t. I always expected there would be some difference, like a significant album or something. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make it stand out. However, I also read the room and realized there’s no need to change what’s working. So we maintained the same process. The confidence I have comes from knowing the music hasn’t shifted dramatically… I haven’t collaborated with any major composers or anything. My narrative has evolved as I’ve matured as a person. Hopefully, that reflects in the music.
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I love ‘No Introduction’. You reference covering 100 regions. How do you manage that? How do you prioritize your fans in the UK while having fans globally?
We don’t sleep, bro. The mind is always active. We’re constantly traveling. It’s not straightforward. As we move forward, now that we’re four or five years in, it can take a toll. But it’s a sacrifice, so you have to choose your battles.
I was DJing at Rolling Loud in Thailand and thought I saw you backstage. I was like, ‘Oh wow, that’s Cench’. I approached a guy saying, “That’s not Central Cee, that’s Central Tee.” He looked just like you; same outfit, belt, bandana—everything. I hadn’t encountered that before in UK rap. Are there times you’re astonished by the influence of what you’re doing?
Nah. Not really. I’m not amazed. Overall, I feel motivated. If something were to shift, then maybe I’d start appreciating things more. I’m grateful, I’m motivated, and I’m working
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How do you conduct an interview with an artist who typically avoids interviews? Allow me to clarify. I engage with individuals I have a genuine interest in. My goal is to converse with artists who